FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408
Comment: NSAC Praises Introduction of the Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2022
Washington, DC, August 17, 2022 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Interim Policy Director, in response to the introduction of the Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2022 (HR 8707) by Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9).
The Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2022 makes essential investments in local and regional food systems which will strengthen the connections between local farmers and local eaters, all while supporting public health and a vibrant economy. The bill proposes increased funding for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) which provides low-income seniors with access to locally grown food and increases the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers’ markets. The bill also supports the rehabilitation of outdated farmers markets and the development of new markets through a new infrastructure funding program. Finally, the bill also increases Women, Infants, and Children Farmers Market individual benefit levels, and creates a new Department of Agriculture pilot program for food banks to contract with local growers.
“The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition applauds the introduction of the Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2022, which would strengthen local and regional food systems by increasing access to healthy local food for seniors and families with children. Investments like those in this bill are essential to connect the dots between local producers and local customers and can generate social and economic benefits for farmers and eaters from rural and urban communities alike. We thank Congresswoman Kaptur for her leadership and look forward to working with her on this legislation in anticipation of a new Congress that will reauthorize the next farm bill.”
###
About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net
The post Comment: NSAC Praises Introduction of the Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2022 appeared first on National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.