James Norton: “H.R. 4220, the Federal Food Donation Act, as amended, is a modest measure designed to help address the very large…”

“H.R. 4220, the Federal Food Donation Act, as amended, is a modest measure designed to help address the very large problem of hunger in America. In 2005, 25 million people in this country, including 9 million children, had to rely on soup kitchens and other charitable food programs to help meet their nutritional needs. Introduced by Representative Jo Ann Emerson, H.R. 4220 requires Federal agencies to include in their food service and space rental contracts a provision that would encourage contractors to donate any surplus food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to the hungry. This bill builds on the work of some innovative nonprofit organizations that have been conducting similar programs in the private sector. The bill also includes provisions that will ensure that costs of collecting, transporting and storing donated food would not be borne by the Federal Government and that executive agencies and contractors would be protected from civil or criminal liability. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Together we can feed America in this rich country.”