Released: March 2, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) proudly supports the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 introduced by U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson. The proposed bill expands upon the many traditional Farm Bill provisions that were included in the final passage of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in 2025, which provided historic wins for American agriculture, including the U.S. peanut industry.
Specifically, this bill ensures the successful operation of the Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) program, clarifying program authority and ensuring the MAL program remains operational during any future lapses in federal government funding. This is a critical update, strengthening the farm safety net and providing greater certainty for producers and market participants. Additionally, the proposed bill emphasizes continued support for agricultural export markets, which is a top priority for the U.S. peanut industry.
USPF also supports the bill’s inclusion of provisions for international and emergency food assistance programs, which are historic markets for U.S. peanut products. The allocation of $200 million annually to carry out emergency food assistance programs specifically for the procurement and distribution of ready-to-use therapeutic foods will greatly benefit U.S. peanut producers and the peanut industry. The transfer of the authorities of the Food for Peace Act from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allow for more participation in these programs, and we appreciate the specific reservation of 50% of Food for Peace resources for U.S. grown commodities.
“With the current state of the U.S. farm economy, we appreciate Chairman Thompson’s leadership in prioritizing the completion of the Farm Bill and providing certainty to America’s producers. The inclusion of enhancements to the Marketing Assistance Loan program and new investments in food assistance programs will benefit the entire U.S. peanut industry. We urge the U.S. House Agriculture Committee members to support these important provisions by passing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” says Jamie Brown, chairman, U.S. Peanut Federation.
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The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) is comprised of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association, and the National Peanut Buying Points Association. USPF serves as a unified voice in Washington, D.C. for all sectors of the peanut industry and advocates actively for strong agricultural policy. For additional information, contact Lorene Parker at (202) 543-7464 or by emailing Lparker@reddingfirm.com.