Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was passed by Congress in November, 1993. Its purpose is to remove many of the Mexico — United States and Mexico — Canada trade restrictions. U.S. farmers will now face increased competition from Mexican producers who do not have the same stringent agrichemical environmental restrictions and farm labor requirements. NAFTA will allow for greater importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States which will compete with those grown domestically.
USDA purchases commodities for distribution through its various programs. It is a concern amongst the agricultural sector that the USDA will now purchase a significant amount of product from the other NAFTA members. Continued purchase of domestic product by USDA would retain a viable market outlet for these U.S. producers.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides nutritious domestic agricultural products to needy Americans, while also providing support to the agricultural community. TEFAP is protected under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) giving the United States the ability to support agricultural producers by purchasing domestic commodities for food assistance programs.
Priority should always be given to domestically produced commodities for federally assisted programs. Coordination among government agencies and private organization involved in food assistance distribution should be encouraged to better meet the needs of disadvantaged individuals.