# The STORE Act of 2023: What It Does

This bill is designed to help food banks and food pantries in rural and underserved communities get the equipment and infrastructure they need to store and deliver food more effectively. Right now, many food banks struggle with basic problems like not having enough refrigerators and freezers to keep perishable food fresh, or reliable refrigerated trucks to transport food to people who need it. This bill addresses those gaps by providing federal funding and expanding what that money can be used for.

The main change is that the bill increases federal grants available to food banks from $15 million to $25 million per year, and extends this funding through 2028 instead of letting it expire. More importantly, it broadens what food banks can spend this money on. Previously, grants were narrowly focused on tracking time-sensitive food products. Now, food banks can use grants for a wider range of needs: buying refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerated trucks; renovating existing facilities; setting up mobile food delivery services; and even conducting studies to figure out how to better reach people in remote or low-income areas. The bill also makes it easier for government agencies and tribal organizations to apply for these grants, not just nonprofits.

Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture to study and report on the nationwide shortage of cold storage and refrigerated vehicles for emergency food organizations within two years. This report will help identify exactly how much equipment is needed and how much it would cost to fully meet the nation's food bank infrastructure needs.

In practical terms, this means food banks in your community—especially those serving rural areas—will have better resources to prevent food waste, expand their services, and reach more people who struggle with food insecurity.