Texas Restaurant Association Applauds Proposed Bill to Boost Resources for Restaurants, Food Banks

AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – The Texas Restaurant Association is applauding a bi-partisan bill proposed by Senator John Cornyn to provide more resources to restaurants and food banks during the coronavirus pandemic.

Senator Cornyn worked with his colleague, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), to introduce the “State Emergency Restaurant & Vendor Enhancement and COVID-19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief For You” Act (S. 4601), known as the “SERVE & CARRY Act.”

According to TRA, the legislation is intended create new opportunities for struggling restaurants to keep Texans employed while feeding their neighbors who have been impacted by COVID-19.

“The Texas Restaurant Association applauds Senator Cornyn for introducing the SERVE & CARRY Act, which will help our restaurants and food banks feed Texans in need,” said Dr. Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. “COVID-19 has created hardships for so many Texans, but innovative policy changes like the SERVE & CARRY Act give us an opportunity to work together as a community to get through this crisis. The Texas Restaurant Association is proud to work with a growing coalition of stakeholders to support the SERVE & CARRY Act, and we urge Congress to pass this important bill quickly.”

The bill also provides new resources to food banks, which have been truly overwhelmed by the increase in need by so many who have lost their jobs or have had to take a pay cut during this pandemic.

States and territories under the S&C act would have a menu of options to choose from to help them respond to emergencies like those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic including

Create and administer a SERVE program (separate from existing programs) that authorizes funding to states to contract with restaurants and provide nutrition benefits to low-income participants via Electronic Benefit Transfer following the approval of a plan to USDA during the period of the pandemic;
Establish a CARRY program that expands population of people eligible for benefits under the Restaurant Meals Program and makes it easier for states and restaurants to get involved in the program; and
Start a SCFAP that would authorize funding for states to purchase commodities directly for donation to food banks.

The TRA believes the Act will help Texans feed Texans, stimulate local economies, and get people back to work.