Understanding the strain economic uncertainty can put on both farmers and those vulnerable to food insecurity, U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., has joined forces with Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., to introduce the Strengthening Local Food Security Act.

The effort is meant to tackle a variety of challenges, including reinforcing the food supply chain, improving economic opportunities for farmers and other food producers, and improving access to local food in communities and in schools. It is being pitched as an amendment to tack on to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.

A permanent grant program would let state and tribal governments buy food from local and regional producers and distribute that food to hunger relief programs and schools. In some parts of the country those food producers might include fishermen and ranchers, too.

According to Justice’s office, the grants would be investments in local food distribution that create a reliable stream of orders to producers and support food security by providing food to schools and easing the strain on food banks.

Funding would come from $200 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation “for fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter,” according to the bill.

“In West Virginia, we know the value of hard work and locally grown food,” Justice said. “The Strengthening Local Food Security Act helps our farmers and ranchers get more of their local food onto more tables. It puts money back into our communities and keeps people fed. That’s a win-win all around. I look forward to working to get this done for our local producers, food banks, and schools.”

It seems unlikely Justice’s and Reed’s colleagues will find much fault with the measure. And, provided they and the rest of Congress agree, it should be an important support for farmers and vulnerable families.