FRIDGE Act of 2023

To provide technical assistance to improve infrastructure in foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports Act of 2023 FRIDGE Act of 2023 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) One of the largest limiting factors to growing export markets for United States food and agriculture products is insufficient infrastructure capabilities. (2) Current trade programs are focused on promoting specific commodities or products, all of which are reliant on a functioning supply chain. (3) There is a need for dedicated resources to focus on supply chain enhancement in developing countries to enable market expansion and diversification. (4) Each year, billions of tons of fresh and frozen food products and millions of dollars’ worth of United States exports are lost due to poor cold chain systems in developing markets. (5) Strengthening global infrastructure plays an important role in promoting trade, reducing food loss and waste, and improving nutrition. 3. Technical assistance to improve infrastructure in foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 ( 7 U.S.C. 5623(c) (4) Technical assistance to improve infrastructure in foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities (A) In general As part of the program established under this subsection, the Secretary shall enter into contracts or other agreements with eligible trade organizations to provide needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance to enhance the capabilities of infrastructure in new and developing foreign markets, including infrastructure relating to cold chain capacity, port improvements, and other developments, to ensure United States agricultural commodities are not damaged or lost due to deficiencies of such infrastructure. (B) Authorization of appropriations (i) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028. (ii) Rule of construction Amounts authorized to be appropriated under this subparagraph may be used only for the purposes described in subparagraph (A). (iii) Availability Amounts authorized to be appropriated under this subparagraph that are not used to carry out this paragraph are authorized to be made available to carry out the program established under this subsection. .

Summary: Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports Act of 2023 or the FRIDGE Act of 2023 This bill expands the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program to include funding for technical assistance for infrastructure-related projects to ensure U.S. agricultural commodities are not damaged or lost due to infrastructure deficiencies in new and developing markets. This Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) program funds projects that address long-term opportunities to reduce foreign import constraints or expand export growth opportunities.Specifically, the bill directs FAS to enter into contracts or other agreements with trade organizations to enhance the infrastructure capabilities (including cold chain capacity and port improvements) in new and developing foreign markets through needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance.