GCCA urges Senate action on Farm Bill to support cold chain infrastructure and exports

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) recently showed support for the House passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and urged the U.S. Senate to act swiftly on the legislation. The organization, which represents cold chain operators and advocates for refrigeration infrastructure and logistics capabilities, highlighted the inclusion of the FRIDGE Act as a key provision within the 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 aimed at expanding cold chain capacity, port infrastructure, and logistics capabilities in emerging export markets.

The House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on April 30, following years of temporary extensions to previous farm policy. GCCA stated that the legislation provides a multiyear framework for farmers, food producers, and agricultural supply chain partners.

The organization is urging the Senate to move quickly on the bill, citing the need for long-term policy certainty and investment in agricultural supply chains and export growth.

“Given current uncertainties with tariffs and trade agreements, developing new markets for U.S. products is extremely important,” Sara Stickler, president and CEO of GCCA, stated. “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. 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.”