Follow the Food and Farm Bill…and Act On It!
Every 5 years, the US Congress makes decisions about a $90 billion taxpayer funded appropriation called the Farm Bill, or as some more aptly call it, “The Food and Farm Bill.”
“To a large extent, the Farm Bill determines what sort of food we Americans eat (and how they taste and how much they cost), which crops are grown under what conditions, and, ultimately, whether we’re properly nourished or not.”
Dan Imhoff, author of
Food Fight: The Citizen’s Guide to a Food and Farm Bill
view a short explanation of “marker bills”
Step #1:
Your US Congressional Representatives (see below) need to hear your concerns about the 2007 Farm Bill. Specific legislation to react to will be appearing early in the summer. In the meantime, call or email your Representatives to share your top concerns, which might include:
A Farm Bill that expands access to healthy food for all Americans
A Farm Bill that addresses the loss of farmland, open space and family farms
A Farm Bill that provides more funds to distribute healthy foods through Food Banks
A Farm Bill that protects native, threatened, and endangered species
A Farm Bill that addresses the escalating health costs of obesity
A Farm Bill that expands access for Food Stamp debit cards at all Farmers’ Markets
A Farm Bill that provides more funds for sustainable farming practices and research
A Farm Bill that protects and restores rivers, streams, wetlands and other riparian areas
A Farm Bill that provides healthy foods for schools
…As you share your concerns and priorities, let them know you know the Farm Bill affects your health and you want them to pay attention to ALL the provisions.
Oprima aquí para ver petición en Español (PDF)
Click have your name and address electronically added to the letter
Congressional District #7: Congressman Raul Grijalva
810 E. 22nd St. Suite 102, Tucson AZ 85713
In Washington, DC: 202-225-2435, fax: 202-225-1541
In Tucson: 622-6788
By email through his website: http://www.house.gov/grijalva
Congressional District #8: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
1661 N. Swan, Suite 112, Tucson AZ 85712
In Washington, DC: 202-225-2542, fax: 202-225-0378
In Tucson: 881-3588
By email through her website: http://www.house.gov/giffords
Arizona Senator John McCain:
407 W. Congress St. Suite 103, Tucson AZ 85701
In Washington DC: 202-224-2235, fax: 202-228-2862
In Tucson: 670-6637
By email through his website: http://mccain.senate.gov
Arizona Senator Jon Kyl:
7315 N. Oracle, Suite 220, Tucson, AZ 85704
In Washington DC: 202-224-4521, fax: 202-224-2207
In Tucson: 575-8633
By email through his website: http://kyl.senate.gov
Step #2:
As legislation develops over the next four to five months, there are additional ways you can follow the “Food and Farm Bill” through Congress, and act to promote legislation that will support a healthier, more equitable food and agricultural system that will sustain us all for generations to come:
=> Get on an Action Alert Email List –email: kitty@communityfoodbank.org
Sponsored by the Food Bank’s Community Food Security Center, this list will educate you and notify you when your input is needed to support local food production and low-income people having access to healthy food.
=> Come to Information Sessions on the Food & Farm Bill at the Food Bank
Community Food Security Center Staff are tracking aspects of the Food and Farm Bill that have to do with supporting local food production and increasing the ability of low-income people to access healthy food. This will be a time to ask questions, get the latest updates, share your thoughts and strategize how best to involve other people.
Sessions will be Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm on September 12th with more sessions to be scheduled as needed.
For more information, please contact Kitty Ufford-Chase at the Community Food Bank at 622-0525, click here for directions.
Step #3:
Don’t Act Alone. Join forces with the organizations below, or be the point person for a group you already belong to:
Native Seeds/SEARCH www.nativeseeds.org
Slow Food – Tucson Chapter www.slowfoodtucson.org
Defenders of Wildlife www.defenders.org
Chef and Child www.acfchefs.org
Community Food Bank www.communityfoodbank.org
Step #4:
Check out these websites for more information on the Farm Bill:
Farm & Food Policy Project www.farmandfoodproject.org
Community Food Security Coalition www.msawg.org
Food Action & Research Center www.frac.org
Bread for the World www.bread.org
NY City Farm Bill Coalition www.nycfarmbill.org
Chef Ann Cooper’s Blog www.lunchlessons.org
Nat’l Catholic Rural Life Conference www.ncrlc.org
