The Congresswoman — Recently Ranked as the Most Effective Lawmaker on Agriculture Issues in Congress — Heard Directly From Virginia Nutrition Leaders & Advocates to Bring Their Voices to the Table During 2023 Farm Bill Negotiations

**CLICK HERE for Photos of Spanberger & Local Nutrition Leaders at Roundtable Discussion, Touring Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank**

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger — the only Virginian on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee — today hosted a roundtable discussion to hear directly from Virginia food bank and food pantry representatives, Directors of Social Services, local healthcare leaders, Virginians who have used nutrition programs, and nutrition advocates about their priorities related to food security in the 2023 Farm Bill.

Spanberger and panelists took many questions from attendees about protecting SNAP and other federal nutrition programs, improving access to these programs, and connecting producers with local food providers. Spanberger also toured the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank’s facility after the event. Before the panels began, Spanberger shared her commitment to protecting nutrition programs during 2023 Farm Bill negotiations.

“As the only Virginian on the House Agriculture Committee, I take my role in protecting and strengthening key nutrition programs very seriously. The Nutrition title of the Farm Bill reauthorizes a number of federal nutrition programs — including SNAP, our country’s largest nutrition program which serves more than 850,000 Virginians,” said Spanberger. “As we turn toward Farm Bill negotiations, I remain steadfast in my mission to protect the programs serving our most vulnerable neighbors and work to find common ground to improve and protect these programs — so they can continue to serve the Virginians who need them most.”

BACKGROUND

Last month, Spanberger hosted a 2023 Farm Bill Summit with Virginia crop and livestock producers, farm groups, conservation organizations, and rural advocates about their priorities as Farm Bill negotiations continue.

Spanberger was recently ranked as the most effective Member of Congress — in either the U.S. House or U.S. Senate — on agriculture issues.

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