RF Buche, fourth-generation grocer and president of South Dakota-based GF Buche Co., testified about efforts to tackle food insecurity before the House Rules Committee chaired by Representative James P. McGovern of Massachusetts.

Buche testified as part of a roundtable, “Ending Hunger in America: Food Insecurity in Rural America.” The discussion was the twelfth in a series of committee events highlighting the reality of food insecurity in America and examining the steps that Congress and the Biden administration can take to combat it.

Specifically, Buche discussed his company’s efforts to deliver food staples and other necessary products to remote places across the state, including reservation communities like Pine Ridge. He also highlighted their plan to install refrigerated food lockers in Marty, South Dakota in 2022.

In addition, Buche emphasized the need for congress to enforce anti-trust laws that ensure customers have the same access to products as dollar chains and big box stores. “During the pandemic, our wholesaler was forced to restrict allocations on certain products,” said Buche. “And that puts great stress on our rural
communities.”

McGovern heard from Buche and others on what efforts are being done to combat rural food security and expressed the committee’s desire to make sure the right assistance gets to the right people.

“Our stores are on or near reservations all across South Dakota, where the need for fresh, quality foods is the greatest,” said Buche.

“Finding new ways to serve and support our reservation communities has always been
near and dear to my heart.”

About 40% of the families living on Pine Ridge experience food insecurity according to the American Journal of Public Health. “Getting access to better food for our friends and neighbors there is truly a public health goal,” said Buche.

You can watch the full video here or see RF Buche’s portion here.