The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECOGNIZING FARMERS FEEDING UTAH” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S2779 on May 19.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING FARMERS FEEDING UTAH
Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, I rise to commend the outstanding charitable efforts of the Farmers Feeding Utah campaign, a project of the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation and the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. As the pandemic brought new challenges to farmers, ranchers, and families everywhere, volunteers and community leaders across the State joined together to help our neighbors in need.
Last year, disruptions to our food security and supply chains led to uncharted economic hardship for both producers and consumers. For many, this included putting food on the table. Nevertheless, Utahns were determined to chart new opportunities for creative and charitable giving.
Recognizing an alarming increased demand in food pantries statewide, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation launched a campaign to deliver food to disadvantaged Utah families. To achieve this, the Farmers Feeding Utah program collects generous donations used to purchase commodities from Utah farmers facing pandemic-related market shortages and losses. These products are distributed to food pantries with the help of numerous community-based organizations, which in turn sustains our farms and ranches.
To date, the Farmers Feeding Utah campaign has collected over 1.5 million pounds of food, worth over $3.2 million, from donations by individuals and organizations passionate about alleviating hunger. These extraordinary acts of kindness have provided nutritional relief to more than 23,000 Utah families along the Wasatch front, northern Utah, the Navajo Nation, and across southern and rural Utah.
The success of this initiative underscores Utah's excellence in fielding solutions to complex problems, to the benefit of individuals and families in need. The collaboration of diverse partners across the agriculture industry, health sector, and religious and academic institutions highlights our State's esteemed tradition of charity. In addition to the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, partners like Utah State University's Hunger Solutions Institute and Create Better Health programs, the Utah Department of Agriculture & Food, the Farm Bureau Financial Services, the Utah Petroleum Association, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and scores of generous Utah companies and individuals have provided invaluable support to this effort.
There is more work to be done, which is why the Farmers Feeding Utah program continues to organize food drives and deliver critical assistance in cities all over Utah. With every additional meal donated to a hungry family, our Utah family grows ever stronger. Thank you to all involved in this tremendous public-private service initiative, with special gratitude for the strong leadership of Ron ``The Milkman'' Gibson as Farm Bureau president. Keep up the great work.
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