Support the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act

As Senate and House leadership work to finalize their farm bill proposal for the deficit reduction super committee, NOW is the time to voice support for including the contents of the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act in the larger farm bill package.

Supporting our local farmers, farmers markets, CSAs and food coops and having fresh, local food for our children’s school meals is essential.

IATP and Healthy Food Action join the National Farmers Union, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Community Food Security Coalition and other organizations in supporting new legislation to strengthen local and regional food systems. On Tuesday, November 1, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine introduced the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act (S. 1773 and H.R. 3286) in the Senate and House, respectively.

The bill will advance the development of local and regional farm and food systems from farm to table. Local food systems can connect consumers with where their food comes from, boost income for farmers, stimulate job creation and economic development, and meet public health and nutrition goals.

Send a message to your Senators and Representative today - the bill needs support from both Democrats and Republicans - and ask them to co-sponsor this important legislation that will benefit our health and the economy.

Our partners at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition are also looking for health organizations to add their support to a sign-on letter to Congress in support of the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act. If your organization can lend its support, click here for more information or contact Helen Dombalis: hdombalis@sustainableagriculture.net