Building a Better Farm Bill

On Wednesday, I joined the good people from the California Food and Justice Coalition and Food First (where I do some volunteer work) for a lunchtime march to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office to deliver a Valentine (lots of fair trade chocolate and a flat of berries) asking her to give us a farm bill we can love.

I think it’s too late for a farm bill we can really love, but there is still some opportunity for a better outcome when both houses of Congress get together to hammer out the final version of the bill, and Pelosi can have an influence. CFJC had a scheduled meeting with one of Pelosi’s aides, so that’s good.

Here are the main items that are up for grabs:

1.    Funding for Community Food Projects (now in jeopardy)
2.    Commodity Reform (I thought it was too late for this, but apparently there is still a chance).
3.    Food Stamp Nutrition Education

For more information There are links here to contact Pelosi and others to speak your mind, if you are so inclined.