[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING FARMERS FEEDING UTAH

 Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, I rise to commend the outstanding 
charitable efforts of the Farmers Feeding Utah campaign, a project of 
the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation and the Utah Farm Bureau 
Federation. As the pandemic brought new challenges to farmers, 
ranchers, and families everywhere, volunteers and community leaders 
across the State joined together to help our neighbors in need.
  Last year, disruptions to our food security and supply chains led to 
uncharted economic hardship for both producers and consumers. For many, 
this included putting food on the table. Nevertheless, Utahns were 
determined to chart new opportunities for creative and charitable 
giving.
  Recognizing an alarming increased demand in food pantries statewide, 
the Utah Farm Bureau Federation launched a campaign to deliver food to 
disadvantaged Utah families. To achieve this, the Farmers Feeding Utah 
program collects generous donations used to purchase commodities from 
Utah farmers facing pandemic-related market shortages and losses. These 
products are distributed to food pantries with the help of numerous 
community-based organizations, which in turn sustains our farms and 
ranches.
  To date, the Farmers Feeding Utah campaign has collected over 1.5 
million pounds of food, worth over $3.2 million, from donations by 
individuals and organizations passionate about alleviating hunger. 
These extraordinary acts of kindness have provided nutritional relief 
to more than 23,000 Utah families along the Wasatch front, northern 
Utah, the Navajo Nation, and across southern and rural Utah.
  The success of this initiative underscores Utah's excellence in 
fielding solutions to complex problems, to the benefit of individuals 
and families in need. The collaboration of diverse partners across the 
agriculture industry, health sector, and religious and academic 
institutions highlights our State's esteemed tradition of charity. In 
addition to the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, partners like Utah State 
University's Hunger Solutions Institute and Create Better Health 
programs, the Utah Department of Agriculture & Food, the Farm Bureau 
Financial Services, the Utah Petroleum Association, the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints, and scores of generous Utah companies and 
individuals have provided invaluable support to this effort.
  There is more work to be done, which is why the Farmers Feeding Utah 
program continues to organize food drives and deliver critical 
assistance in cities all over Utah. With every additional meal donated 
to a hungry family, our Utah family grows ever stronger. Thank you to 
all involved in this tremendous public-private service initiative, with 
special gratitude for the strong leadership of Ron ``The Milkman'' 
Gibson as Farm Bureau president. Keep up the great work.

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