Food Assurance and Security Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
- Committees
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 24, 2026
Bottom line
The Food Assurance and Security Act establishes a permanent federal program to consistently measure and report on food insecurity and hunger across the United States, utilizing standardized survey questions.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Director of the Bureau of the Census, to establish an interagency food security measurement program. This program will coordinate the annual collection, analysis, and reporting of data on food insecurity and hunger. Specifically, it requires the Current Population Survey to include a food security supplement with specific questions for calendar years 2026-2028, with flexibility for similar questions thereafter, subject to robust testing and public input.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that consistent, robust, and standardized data collection on food insecurity is crucial for understanding the scope of the problem, identifying vulnerable populations, and developing effective policy interventions. They emphasize that reliable data is the foundational element for evidence-based policymaking to combat hunger and improve public health outcomes.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while data collection is important, mandating specific survey questions for a fixed period could limit flexibility in adapting to evolving measurement needs or could be seen as an overreach into the Bureau of the Census's methodological independence. Some might also raise concerns about the potential cost of establishing and maintaining a new interagency program, even if the bill only authorizes appropriations.
The bill is very short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its provisions quickly and thoroughly.
Section 2(a)
Establishment of Interagency Food Security Measurement Program
This section requires the Secretary of Agriculture, working in coordination with the Director of the Bureau of the Census, to create an interagency program. The purpose of this program is to annually collect, analyze, and report data on food insecurity and hunger across the United States, ensuring a coordinated federal effort to track these critical issues.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a coordinated interagency program ensures consistency and comprehensiveness in food security data, preventing fragmentation and improving the quality of information available for evidence-based policy development and program evaluation.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the concept of interagency coordination for data collection, though some might express concerns about potential bureaucratic inefficiencies or duplication of existing efforts if not managed effectively.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies in balancing the need for robust, standardized data collection with the potential for bureaucratic overhead or the challenge of ensuring seamless interagency collaboration across different departmental mandates.
Section 2(b)
Mandatory Food Security Supplement for Current Population Survey
This provision mandates that the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the Bureau of the Census must include a specific food security supplement. For calendar years 2026 through 2028, it requires the exact questions from the 2023 CPS Food Security Supplement. After January 1, 2029, similar questions may be used, but any amendments to these questions must undergo robust testing, public input, and clearance from the Office of Management and Budget.