I "heart" Local Food--Support the Direct Farm Marketing Bill
Hello faithful readers. I got a call-to-action from fellow master food preserver and food blogger Jennifer Burns Levin (Culinaria Eugenius) regarding HB2336, the Direct Farm Marketing Bill. If you care about access to local food, please take a minute to call or email your house representative and urge him or her to support this bill.
Keep reading and click on the links below to learn more. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 16, so it is critical to lend our support right now! The Farm Bureau and NW Food Processors are opposing this bill, so "We the People" need to speak up!
Gleaned from the web.....
Want more detail? Look here: http://culinariaeugenius.
Keep reading and click on the links below to learn more. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 16, so it is critical to lend our support right now! The Farm Bureau and NW Food Processors are opposing this bill, so "We the People" need to speak up!
Gleaned from the web.....
HB 2336, the Farm Direct Bill
HB 2336, the Farm Direct Bill, has passed its House committee in a 6-2 vote and is likely to be debated on the House floor on Wednesday February 16.
As we celebrate the institution of love this week, please take a moment to shower a little love on our direct market farmers by calling or emailing your state representative BEFORE 11 AM on Feb. 16! Whisper a few “sweet somethings” their behalf. Suggestions follow.
If you are a farmer and belong to the Farm Bureau, please add that fact to your call or email. The Farm Bureau has joined the NW Food Processors in opposing portions of this bill, which is the product of a year’s work by many parties, including the Oregon Farmers’ Markets Association.
Talking Points for HB 2336
Farm direct marketing is key to revitalizing local food systems – stimulating grass roots economic development, improving food security and providing healthy choices for Oregon families.
For decades, we have been asking farmers to do all for Oregon this without a clear and rational set of rules for what needs a license and what does not. ODA, the farmers, farmers’ markets and the communities they serve all will benefit from the clarity HB 2336 offers.
Farm direct products are highly traceable, and there is no greater accountability than looking your customers in the eye.
HB 2336 eases regulation only for very low risk products. Pickles and jams are made in millions of homes today, and have been keeping food safe for thousands of years.
Farm direct marketers are entrepreneurs who deserve some room to innovate. Successful businesses will outgrow the gross sales limit in this bill, and production will shift to licensed facilities.
http://www.leg.state.or.us/
http://www.leg.state.or.us/
