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 2023
Washington, DC, March 30, 2023 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Hannah Quigley, NSAC Policy Specialist, in response to the introduction of the Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023 (H.R. 2378) by Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) and Dwight Evans (D-PA-3).
The Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023 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 Women, Infants, and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) individual benefit levels, overall increasing funding that is spent with local farmers. The bill goes further to encourage new and grow existing markets by offering resources to update and establish farmers markets through a new infrastructure funding program and creates a new Department of Agriculture pilot program for food banks to procure produce from local growers.
“NSAC applauds the introduction of the Farmers Market & Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023, which increases access to healthy local food for seniors and families with children while creating new market opportunities for local farmers. 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 consumers from rural and urban communities alike. We thank Congresswoman Kaptur for her leadership in local and regional food system investments.”
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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