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Action item to protect "direct from farm" food options

As you are no doubt aware, the government continues to look for ways to control things - sometimes there is an overall societal benefit, but often it just adds costs and limits options.

Below is an excerpt from this month's LocalHarvest newsletter. In it, you will see brief info about a Senate bill that is in process that will put onerous costs and reporting burdens on small producers and could, in effect, eliminate your options to buy your food from local, known sources. There are links for calling or emailing your Senators to object to their supporting this bill without exemption for small farms and direct sellers. It's easy, and will only take a minute or so. There's also a link to another organization that might interest you, as well.

In part, the letter they have drafted which you can use or amend to suit yourself reads: "Direct market sales are immediately traceable, transparent and inherently accountable. State and local health agencies already have the authority to protect public health, and exercise that oversight." This is a key point - one that you take into consideration every time you elect to buy food from a direct source.

Excerpt from LocalHarvest:
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a sweeping overhaul of the food safety laws very soon! S. 510 is a "one-size-fits-all" approach that will unnecessarily burden both farmers and small-scale food processors, ultimately depriving consumers of the choice to buy from producers they know and trust. Please contact your Senators to urge them to support Senator Tester's amendments, or oppose the bill entirely. Senator Tester's amendments would exclude small facilities and direct marketing farms from the most burdensome provisions of the bill.

To call both of your Senators. You can find their contact information at www.Senate.gov, or call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 877-210-5351. Ask to speak with the staffer who handles food safety issues. To send an email, click here.

For more information, we recommend the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliancewebsite.

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