Food and Agriculture

Georgia’s farmers feed our state, but rising costs, extreme weather, and supply chain disruptions are putting pressure on both producers and families. With food insecurity affecting 1 in 7 Georgians, especially in rural areas and small towns with limited grocery access, now is the time to invest in local, resilient, Georgia-grown food systems that lower costs, support farmers, and keep our food supply secure, no matter what happens in Washington.

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Strengthen Local Food Access

One in seven Georgians struggled with food insecurity in 2023, especially in rural areas where grocery options are limited. With federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) facing uncertainty during shutdown fights, Georgia needs stronger local food systems to keep families fed and dollars in-state.

Georgia S.B. 177 "Food Insecurity Eradication Act"

Why It Matters for Georgia: One in seven Georgians struggled to access affordable, healthy food last year — and with the ongoing federal shutdown threatening programs like SNAP, this kind of state-level leadership is more critical than ever. S.B. 177 would have helped Georgia build its own strategy instead of waiting on Washington.
Summary: Would have created a Georgia Food Security Advisory Council to identify real, on-the-ground solutions to food access — such as helping bring grocery stores back to underserved areas, expanding farmers’ markets that accept food assistance programs, and strengthening support for local food banks and co-ops.
Status: Died

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Oregon H.B. 2038 (2017)

Summary: Provides grant funding for farm-to-school and garden programs to strengthen local agriculture and support healthy food access for schools.
Why It Matters for Georgia: Small and rural Georgia farmers often get left out of state programs that favor larger operations. A farm-to-school grant program would support family farms, keep dollars in local communities, and bring more Georgia-grown food into school cafeterias.
Status: Enacted

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Reduce Food Waste & Expand Composting

Georgia sends millions of tons of food waste to landfills each year which raising methane pollution and disposal costs for local governments. Scaling composting would lower waste costs, improve soil health, and turn food scraps into usable resources for Georgia farmers and communities.

Maine H.B.1009 (2023)

Summary: Bans sending food scraps to landfills to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Encourages composting or donating leftover food instead.
Why It Matters for Georgia: This kind of policy could help reduce landfill use in cities like Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah, where space is limited, while cutting methane pollution and creating local composting jobs.
Status: Proposed

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Oregon H.B.3018 (2025)

Summary: Requires households, businesses, and organizations to compost food waste instead of sending it to landfills, turning waste into compost for farms and gardens.
Why It Matters for Georgia: A statewide composting requirement could support South Georgia farmers by producing affordable compost, reduce waste in Metro Atlanta, and create new green jobs in waste management.

Status: Proposed

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Strengthen Farming Resilience

Hurricane Helene destroyed cotton, peanut, and pecan crops across South Georgia, wiping out harvests, damaging poultry houses, and forcing farmers into costly recoveries. Investing in sustainable, lower-cost practices will help farms stay productive through future storms, protecting Georgia’s food supply and keeping costs stable for all Georgians.

Minnesota H.F.2297 / S.F.2653 (2025)

Summary: Creates a specialty license plate to fund solar farms that also support agriculture by planting pollinator-friendly crops and improving soil health.
Why It Matters for Georgia: Georgia has lost over 1 in 5 honey bee colonies in recent years, and many farms struggle with soil loss, especially after the impacts of hurricane helene in 2024. A program like this could bring new income to farmers, boost pollinator habitats, and strengthen Georgia agriculture, all funded by a simple specialty plate.