Bread for the World Responds to House Passage of the Farm Bill

Washington, D.C., April 30, 2026 — Bread for the World issued the following statement regarding the House passage of the Farm Bill. The statement can be attributed to Rev. Eugene Cho, President and CEO of Bread for the World.

“While the bipartisan passage of the Farm Bill in the House of Representatives provides meaningful support for some critical food and nutrition initiatives, this legislation was a missed opportunity for several key programs that reduce hunger. At Bread for the World, we are committed to continuing our advocacy for an effective Farm Bill so no one is left behind.

“We are encouraged that the Farm Bill extends Food for Peace through 2031, and now with an official home at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, appropriated funds can be used to hire critically needed permanent staff. We also commend the reauthorization of the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, which nourishes children and supports local food systems in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

“Domestically, we welcome the Farm Bill’s inclusion of waivers for persistent poverty areas for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which strengthens access to nutritious food for SNAP participants. We applaud the inclusion of the bipartisan Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act, which deepens connections between local farmers and community nutrition programs – a win for both agricultural communities and families facing food insecurity.

“While the Farm Bill in the House of Representatives provides meaningful support for these critical food and nutrition initiatives, we are concerned that the Farm Bill does not delay the SNAP cost-share shift for states. A rapid transition for states to pay a significantly higher cost for SNAP forces states to choose between cutting SNAP eligibility, reducing administrative capacity, or diverting resources from other critical needs. This will have immediate consequences for people in our country who participate in this program. A phased implementation would give states time to plan and adjust without disrupting food access. We urge Congress to address this gap.

“We are also disappointed that the Farm Bill does not restore data collection for the Federal Household Food Security Report. For 30 years, this survey has given policymakers on both sides of the aisle the information they need to understand the prevalence of food insecurity and to evaluate federal nutrition programs. Without it, Congress is working without the information they need to serve hungry families.

“As people of faith, we believe every person is made in the image of God and deserves access to adequate food. This Farm Bill moves us forward in meaningful ways. But as Matthew 25 reminds us, our calling is to keep showing up for those who are hungry. We will urge and keep working with Congress until every family, here and around the world, has enough to eat.”