Distribution Kinks Mar $3 Billion Food Box Effort, Lawmakers Say

A program intended to assist struggling farmers and hungry Americans is plagued by regional inequities and distribution problems, Democrats and nonprofits say.

“The effort is clearly not working for everyone,” said Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations chair. “We’ve seen reports of companies awarded contracts with little-to-no experience in the timely sourcing and distribution of food, including nearly $40 million to a Texas wedding planner.”

House Agriculture Committee members pored over the implementation of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program at a Tuesday hearing, questioning how the funds have been used and which ...