The end of the government shutdown has secured several federal provisions relevant to the U.S. potato sector. The full-year Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill was included in the legislation that reopened the government and contains two measures of interest to potato growers.
The bill maintains funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's potato research programs. These research funds support competitive, merit-based breeding projects addressing production, quality, and yield challenges across U.S. potato-growing regions.
© National Potato Council
The legislation also continues the provision allowing potatoes to be offered through the federal School Breakfast Program. This maintains current rules for including potatoes in school nutrition programs.
In a press statement, Senator Susan Collins highlighted these elements as part of the broader package passed by Congress. National Potato Council Vice President of Legislative Affairs Dean Gibson, a grower from Idaho, said the council welcomed the provisions and noted that attention will now shift to longer-term policy areas, including the next Farm Bill and trade discussions aimed at expanding market access.
© National Potato CouncilFor more information:
National Potato Council
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