Support the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act!
Today is our day to Occupy Our Food Supply! Many inspiring events are taking place throughout the nation today to educate and promote food justice and food access to policymakers and others who make critical and life changing decisions about the way in which we grow, raise, prepare, preserve, vend, and consume food and beverages.
The Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act will improve federal farm bill programs that support local and regional farming and food systems. Local food systems build the economy by increasing income to farmers and creating jobs. Local food systems create long-lasting and meaningful connections between consumers and the land and people who grow their food. The Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act will provide significant benefits to all Americans, including greater access to fruits and vegetables through critical support services such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps).
This Act currently has more than 65 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and eleven in the Senate, but more work is needed to ensure that key provisions in the Act become a permanent part of upcoming Farm Bill legislation.
How you can help:
1. Call your Representative today and ask him/her to co-sponsor the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act.
Find your Representative’s name and direct number by going to Congress.org and typing in your zip code. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard, provide your Representative’s name and be directly connected to their office: (202) 225-3121.
2. Give them the message:
I am a constituent calling to urge Senator/Congress(wo)man __________ to co-sponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act. This legislation is about to be introduced in the House and Senate. It will help boost farm income, improve access to healthy foods, and secure funding for critically important programs like the Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grant Program.
Can I count on Senator/Congress(wo)man_________ to be a co-sponsor?
If your Senator will co-sponsor or wants more information: Tell them to communicate with Senator Sherrod Brown’s office.
If your Representative will co-sponsor or wants more information: Tell them to communicate with Representative Chellie Pingree’s office.
Sources:
http://www.foodsecurity.org/2012FarmBill.html
http://sustainableagriculture.net/our-work/local-food-bill/bill-summary-2/
http://sustainableagriculture.net/our-work/local-food-bill/co-sponsors/
http://grist.org/sustainable-food/dr-vandana-shiva-occupy-our-food-supply/