The FRIDGE Act of 2025 would create a targeted technical-assistance program under the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to help improve infrastructure in foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities. Specifically, the Secretary of Agriculture would contract with eligible trade organizations to conduct needs assessments, training, and other assistance aimed at strengthening infrastructure—especially cold-chain capacity and port facilities—in developing markets, so that U.S. food and agricultural products are less likely to be damaged or lost before reaching consumers. The bill authorizes $1 million annually for FY 2026–2030 to fund these activities, with funds restricted to the described purposes and any unspent amounts available to support other activities under the broader Subsection 203(c) program.
Key Points
- 1Creates a new component of the Agricultural Trade Act program: technical assistance to improve foreign market infrastructure (including cold chain and ports) to protect U.S. agricultural commodities from spoilage or loss.
- 2Implementation mechanism: the Secretary of Agriculture would enter into contracts or agreements with eligible trade organizations to conduct needs assessments, provide training, and deliver other technical assistance.
- 3Funding: authorizes $1 million per year for FY 2026–2030 solely to carry out this technical-assistance purpose; unused funds can be redirected to the broader program under the same subsection.
- 4Purpose and impact: aims to reduce post-harvest losses, support market expansion and diversification, and ultimately promote trade, reduce food waste, and improve nutrition in developing markets.
- 5Scope and limitations: focuses on infrastructure-related improvements in new and developing foreign markets, with emphasis on cold chain capacity and port improvements; the bill specifies the funding mechanism but leaves the broader program’s details as established under the Agricultural Trade Act.