Community Food Security Act of 1995

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Community Food Security Act of 
1995''.

SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY PROJECTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Community food security project.--The term ``community 
        food security project'' means a community-based project that--
                    (A) is designed to--
                            (i) meet the food needs of low-income 
                        people;
                            (ii) increase the self-reliance of 
                        communities in providing for their own food 
                        needs; and
                            (iii) promote comprehensive, inclusive, and 
                        future-oriented solutions to local food, farm, 
                        and nutrition problems; and
                    (B) requires a one-time infusion of Federal 
                assistance to become self-sustaining.
            (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an 
        entity that has experience in the area of--
                    (A) community food work, including the development 
                of new markets in low-income communities for 
                agricultural producers, particularly small- and medium-
                sized farms; or
                    (B) job training and business development 
                activities for food-related businesses in low-income 
                communities.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary may make grants to assist 
eligible entities in establishing and carrying out community food 
security projects.
    (c) Applications.--An eligible entity may submit to the Secretary 
an application, in such form and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require, that--
            (1) demonstrates competency in implementing a community 
        food security project;
            (2) demonstrates fiscal accountability;
            (3) contains an agreement that the entity will collect data 
        and prepare reports and other documentation, as required by the 
        Secretary; and
            (4) demonstrates that the entity is willing to participate 
        in a continuing assessment of regional food security and to 
        share information with researchers, practitioners, and other 
        interested parties.
    (d) Preference for Certain Projects.--In selecting community food 
security projects to be supported by grants under subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall give preference to projects designed--
            (1) to develop linkages between 2 or more sectors of the 
        food system;
            (2) to support the development of entrepreneurial solutions 
        to local food problems;
            (3) to develop innovative linkages between the for-profit 
        and nonprofit food sectors; or
            (4) to encourage long-term planning activities and 
        multisystem, interagency approaches.
    (e) Matching Funds.--
            (1) Requirements.--The Federal share of the cost of 
        establishing or carrying out a community food security project 
        that receives assistance under subsection (b) may not exceed 50 
        percent of the cost during the term of the grant.
            (2) Calculation.--The non-Federal share of the cost of 
        carrying out a community food security project may be provided 
        through a payment in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, 
        including facilities, equipment, or services from private, 
        State, or local sources.
    (f) Single Grant.--A community food security project may be 
supported by only a single grant under subsection (b), for a term of 
not to exceed 3 years.
    (g) Technical Assistance and Related Information.--The Secretary 
shall--
            (1) provide technical assistance regarding community food 
        security projects, processes, and development to entities 
        seeking such assistance;
            (2) provide for the sharing of information about community 
        food security projects and issues among and between government 
        agencies, private for-profit and nonprofit groups, and the 
        public through publications, conferences, and other appropriate 
        form; and
            (3) participate in assessments of regional food security 
        and share information with researchers, practitioners, and 
        other interested parties.
    (h) Evaluation and Report.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) provide for the evaluation of community food security 
        projects supported using funds under this section; and
            (2) not later than January 30, 2000, submit to Congress a 
        report on the results of the evaluation.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Summary: Community Food Security Act of 1995 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for community food security projects. Authorizes appropriations.