GCCA Applauds House Passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

GCCA Applauds House Passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026; Highlights Inclusion of Critical FRIDGE Act Provision 

GCCA Urges Senate to Act Swiftly on Landmark Farm Bill 

 

ARLINGTON, Va. —On April 30th, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), known as the 2026 Farm Bill. The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) praised last week’s actions by the House and is particularly pleased to see the inclusion of the Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports (FRIDGE) Act as part of this legislation. This provision will expand cold chain infrastructure in new and developing export markets, and open new doors for American agricultural producers. 

After years of temporary extensions, America’s farmers, food producers, and agricultural supply chain partners now have a clear path forward with a comprehensive, multi-year farm policy framework. The passage of this legislation by the House is a significant step in that journey, and GCCA commends the House Agriculture Committee and the full House for their commitment to getting this done. 

A Landmark Win for Cold Chain and Agricultural Exports: The FRIDGE Act 

GCCA is proud to have championed the FRIDGE Act and is pleased to see it included in the 2026 Farm Bill. The FRIDGE Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service to work with eligible trade organizations to provide needs assessments, training, and technical assistance to enhance cold chain capacity, port infrastructure, and related logistics capabilities in emerging and developing export markets. 

The Act directly addresses one of the most persistent barriers to expanding U.S. agricultural exports: the lack of adequate refrigeration and cold chain infrastructure in developing countries. Without reliable cold chain systems, perishable American commodities cannot safely and efficiently reach millions of potential new consumers around the world. The FRIDGE Act changes that by supporting infrastructure these markets need to safely receive and distribute high-quality U.S. products, creating new trade opportunities, improving food security and nutrition, and reducing costly food loss and waste. 

GCCA extends its deepest gratitude to the bipartisan group of legislators who sponsored and co-sponsored the FRIDGE Act and fought to ensure its inclusion in the Farm Bill: 

In the House, Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA-4) introduced H.R. 2322 and led the charge to advance this critical legislation. GCCA also thanks the bill’s co-sponsors, Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS-1), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Rep. Donald G. Davis (D-NC-1), Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN-1), and Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA-9); and thanks chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, GT Thompson (R-PA-15), for his support. The bipartisan nature of this co-sponsorship reflects the universal importance of strong agricultural supply chains and cold chain infrastructure to American farmers and consumers across the country. 

GCCA also thanks Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) for introducing the companion S. 1119, and ensuring cold chain infrastructure had a champion on the Senate side. Their leadership and partnership in this effort exemplify what can be accomplished when legislators work together across party lines in the interests of American agriculture and global food security. 

“Given current uncertainties with tariffs and trade agreements, developing new markets for U.S. products is extremely important. One of the biggest barriers to increasing trade in emerging food markets is the lack of cold chain capacity. The FRIDGE Act would strengthen the ability of these markets to safely and efficiently receive high-quality U.S. perishable commodities, creating new trade opportunities, improving food security and nutrition, and reducing food loss and waste,” said Sara Stickler, President and CEO of GCCA. “We are thrilled to see this important provision included in the Farm Bill and thank the House for its passage. GCCA now calls on the Senate to act with urgency and send this bill to the President’s desk.”  

With House passage secured, GCCA urges the United States Senate to move promptly on the Farm Bill. America’s farmers, food manufacturers, cold chain operators, and agricultural exporters have waited too long. Three extensions of the 2018 Farm Bill have provided temporary relief, but the industry needs the policy certainty and investment that only a full, multi-year authorization can provide. 

The bill and the FRIDGE Act represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to position the United States as the world’s premier supplier of safe, high-quality perishable agricultural products. Delay in the Senate is delay in opening new markets for American farmers, delay in reducing food waste, and delay in building a more resilient global food supply chain. 

ABOUT GCCA

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) advances the global temperature-controlled supply chain by championing safety, building trust, and driving sustainability, resiliency, and operational excellence across every link of the cold chain.

For media inquiries please contact Lindsay Shelton-Gross, SVP, Global Communications, Marketing, and Strategic Initiatives, GCCA at lsheltongross@gcca.org