Take Action to Support the Local Farms & Foods Act!

We don't jump on the bandwagon for many causes, but this is an important one for all of us. Americans are clamoring for more locally and sustainably grown food that is better for our health and the environment (and tastes better too!). But the farmers producing sustainable food for local markets need help to compete with the bigger, better-financed conglomerates. Especially in these tough economic times, it makes sense to support healthier local food systems that will boost your local economy and create thousands of jobs. The Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act is definitely worth your support - it is a strong bill that could have a big impact.

This bill will do some really terrific things, such as:

Image via Wikipedia:: Provide more money for local farmers' markets and to help farmers adopt organic methods.
:: Allow schools to use more of their federal funding to buy fresh, local foods.
:: Make it easier for low-income families to use food stamps at farmers' markets.
:: Increase support for local processing and distribution networks so schools, hospitals, stores and restaurants can more easily purchase healthy food directly from local farmers.
:: Improve credit and crop insurance for diversified and organic farmers producing for local markets.

With the 2012 farm bill fast upon us, this is going to be a big year in the fight to level the playing field for local farmers and to ensure greater access to healthy, sustainably produced food. This bill is a crucial part of that fight. We need to make sure our representatives understand that we want our food to come from local farmers, and that we expect Congress and the US Department of Agriculture to do their parts. It's clear we're ready for something different - now.

Click here to email your elected officials today and urge them to co-sponsor this important local food bill:
http://action.ewg.org/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=1963

Thank you for standing up for healthy, local food!