On December 8, the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, the Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2006 (S. 1120). Sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the measure expresses the sense of Congress that: the United States pledges to reduce the number of undernourished people by half by 2015; national nutrition programs are among the fastest, most direct ways to efficiently and effectively prevent hunger, reduce food insecurity, and improve nutrition; and community-based organizations and charities can help develop and implement plans for improving food security, educate community leaders, and ensure that local nutrition programs are effective.
The bill would direct that the American Communities Survey collect and submit food security information. It also would require the secretary of Agriculture to conduct an annual study of hunger in the United States and to develop recommendations on reducing hunger.
The bill would authorize $50 million per year for FY2006-2011 for the secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible public food service providers, nonprofit organizations, and emergency feeding organizations to reduce hunger, provide community outreach, and conduct community need assessments.
