Lawmakers hear $800,000 request to keep Home Feeds Nevada food‑purchase program running

Senate Bill 233 would appropriate $800,000 to keep the Home Feeds Nevada agriculture food‑purchase program operating, sponsor Fabian Donate told the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on May 21.

Donate said the program, created by a prior legislative act, purchases nutritious foods grown, produced or processed in Nevada and distributes them to designated food banks. He told the committee the Trump administration earlier this year eliminated federal funding for food purchasing programs and that without a legislative allocation the Home Feeds Nevada program would be unable to continue.

"Without this funding, the program would shut down entirely, cutting off a vital market that many Nevada farmers rely on to sell their fresh locally grown food," Donate said.

Supporters at the hearing included the governor's Council on Food Security, the Vegas Chamber and University of Nevada, Reno representatives who said the program supports small farmers and local food security. The sponsor also asked that the Council on Food Security identify long‑term funding solutions and proposed a BDR be developed to identify financial stability options for the program.

No callers registered opposition or neutral testimony. The sponsor closed without comments.

Why it matters: Program advocates say Home Feeds Nevada helps keep food dollars in state, supports local agriculture and strengthens food security when federal funding is uncertain.

Discussion vs. decision: Fiscal/policy presentation only; no committee vote was recorded during this session.

Ending: The appropriation will be considered in fiscal negotiations; sponsor requested the Council on Food Security pursue long‑term funding options.