This month’s policy brief is a call to action on two things: funding for national service and showing support for the Local FARMS Act of 2017, which helps communities prosper through farm to fork investments, helps consumers access fresh food and reauthorizes the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program.
This month’s policy brief is a call to action on two things: funding for national service and showing support for the Local Food and Regional Market Supply (Local FARMS) Act of 2017, which helps communities prosper through farm to fork investments, helps consumers access fresh, healthy food and reauthorizes and strengthens the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program. This program would help connect kids to healthy, locally produced foods and teach them about where their food comes from. Read on to learn how you can advocate on behalf of national service funding and strong local food systems.
The President’s federal fiscal year 2019 budget again calls for eliminating the Corporation for National and Community Service which funds AmeriCorps and other national service programs. Congress ultimately decides what gets funded, not the President. Therefore, we need you to contact your members of Congress and urge them to reject the President’s budget proposal. Last year, thanks to the advocacy of over 250 alumni and friends of FoodCorps, we were able to beat back this harmful proposal. Please lend your support and email your legislators now!
The Local Food and Regional Market Supply (Local FARMS) Act of 2017 encourages communities to prosper through farm to fork investments, enables farmers to reach growing new markets, and helps consumers access fresh, healthy food and farm products. The bill also reauthorizes and strengthens the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program, which would help connect kids to healthy, locally produced foods and teach them about where their food comes from. Senator Susan Collins (ME) recently became the first Senate Republican co-sponsor of the bill. Take action today to thank Senator Collins for her leadership, and urge key Members of Congress to co-sponsor this important legislation. Note that if you are not a constituent of the legislators targeted for this campaign, you will not be able to complete the action, however, anyone and everyone can sign on to the petition in support of the Act here!
If you’d like to learn more about the Local FARMS Act of 2017, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has some helpful materials here.
The Policy Brief, March/April 2024: WIC is Fully Funded
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5 Delicious Spring Recipes to Cook With Kids
