NPR: "Farmers Markets: Fresh, Local, Government-Approved"

[TomCADem]

I admit it. I have become a big proponent of Farmer's markets since I: (a) started eating more vegetables; (b) discovered that Farmer's Markets have the best produce; and (c) Whole Food's CEO revealed himself to be a rabid right winger. I do think that agri-business will eventually work to shut down any serious effort to promote locally grown foods, but in the meantime, I am happily discovering recipes that use heirloom tomatoes.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113484871

Farmers Markets: Fresh, Local, Government-Approved

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the local-food revolution is quietly under way, it has a surprising new booster — the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It's behind the pilot program, which is part of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's push for small changes in the way food might be grown and distributed in the future.

"In the last five years, we saw 108,000 new farming operations get started with sales of less than $10,000," Vilsack says. "These are very small farms, but they are a very important component of our agriculture.

"There is a real opportunity for us to grow those smaller operations to mid-income-sized operations, and the way to do that is by creating opportunities locally for local production to be consumed locally."

Those are surprising words from a man who has been criticized for being too friendly with big agribusinesses like Monsanto. He was, after all, the governor of Iowa, where some say support for corn subsidies is practically required to win elective office. But Vilsack says the momentum behind local food is building.

"There is, I think, a movement in the country where people are very interested in knowing where their food comes from," he says. "As we focus on health care, and as the health care debate focuses more specifically on prevention and wellness, people are going to be exceedingly interested in fresh food and food that's nutritious."

The program the Agriculture Department has launched is called "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food." Vilsack hopes it helps people understand where their food comes from so they can make informed choices.

"There's a disconnect between the food that we eat and our awareness of where it comes from," he says. "We think it comes from a grocery store. It doesn't. It comes from family farmers across the country working hard every day."

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[BOSSHOG]

1. We have a couple of Farmer's Markets in the area

and they are a welcome addition to the area. And seemingly they are prospering, although I've yet to take to Goat's Milk.

[Gabi Hayes]

2. big ag is trying to stop farmers markets "legally":

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/03/12/will-proposed-national-legislation-kill-the-farmers-market/

The Internet is abuzz with concern about the fate of farmer's markets under the newly proposed House Bill 875: Food and Safety Modernization Act of 2009. Many are alarmed that organic growers of local produce and even those gardening for themselves could be lumped in with commercial food vendors, calling them to meet new requirements for processes, record-keeping, and inspections.

I spoke with a spokesperson for Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro of Connecticut, who introduced the bill. The spokesperson assured me that the bill does not apply to vendors at farmer's markets, and therefore will not change the way this business runs. It is meant to address food sold in supermarkets.

A press release from DeLauro's office states, "There is no language in the bill that would result in farmers markets being regulated, penalized by any fines, or shut down. Farmers markets would be able to continue to flourish under the bill. In fact, the bill would insist that imported foods meet strict safety standards to ensure that unsafe imported foods are not competing with locally-grown foods."

In response to the question about organic growers and the possible impact of this bill, the Congresswoman's office responds "There is no language in the bill that would stop or interfere with organic farming. The National Organic Program (NOP) is under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Food Safety Modernization Act only addresses food safety issues under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."

The intent of the legislation, I was told, is to revise the structure of the FDA by creating the Food Safety Administration. At present, oversight of the nation's food supply is fragmented among many government offices, and this bill would consolidate responsibility for maintaining food safety and responding to food-related issues such as the current peanut butter fiasco.

and Saddam took time off hiding his WMDs to help plan the 9/11 flights into the WTC

we belive you, sure

[CTyankee]

4. Rosa is my Rep. She's good. Please don't worry about her...nt

[Gabi Hayes]

7. you may trust her, but read the comments at the site, which I just posted below.

they claim that the language of the bill totally allows for tightening the screws on any sort of food producers, with its very broad language

I trusted Obama, sort of, at least not to pull some of the crap he's pulled (or failed to do) so far.

not holding breath

hope I'm wrong, but what evidence is there to have faith in any politician, pug or dem? look what Clinton did to further global corporate fascism during his eight years, including not fighting very hard against things like the repeal of Glass/Steagall

[Gabi Hayes]

5. these comments from above link say it better than I can:

Rep. DeLauro's office says there is no language in her bill that would apply to vendors at farmers markets or stop/interfere with organic farming. However, sec. 206 of the bill says, "Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of State departments of agriculture, shall promulgate regulations to establish science-based minimum standards for the safe production of food by food production facilities." The bill also says, "The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation." So, under the bill, all farms--organic or not--are "food production facilities."

Contrary to the assurances of Rep. DeLauro's office, if the vendors at farmers markets are farmers, the bill most definitely applies to them. Further, does Rep. DeLauro know what regulations will be promulgated after passage after her bill? If not (and she can't), how does she know there will be no interference with organic farming?

Reply
24-05-2009 @ 9:18AM

Elaine said...
Although the spokesperson does sound reassuring the text of the bill definitely is in conflict with the comments intended to pacify those too lazy to read the text of the bill. READ IT! Any lawyer in this country could easily include every single entity in (and out of this country) that grows so much as a single carrot for consumption by another. To believe otherwise is folly. TAKE AN HOUR TO READ HR 875, how could one not believe it COULD include every farm in the world that produces and handles food. Good intentions maybe, bad, expensive, easily-manipulated results definitely. A spokespersons words mean nothing, the law of the bill is the law. And this law regulates to the level that marginally profitable farms will die.

Reply
34-03-2009 @ 9:02PM

[CTyankee]

3. "Elections have consequences." Right? Imagine the Bush Administration guy saying that?

Please remember this, folks, when you next want to bitch about Obama not getting your pony to you on time...

[bridgit]

6. I'm all for it, there's several we can walk to here

http://www.california-grown.com

[G_j]

8. K&R

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. Where I currently live, I am within driving distance of a few Amish farmer's markets

As well as one FM within walking distance. Heaven on earth.