Bresnahan Holds Local Food Roundtable; Unveils Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act
DALLAS, PA: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) held a roundtable and unveiling event for his legislation, the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act. The event, held at Brace’s Orchard in Dallas, brought together farmers, food banks, and community food advocates to share firsthand accounts on the importance of supporting local agriculture and food access.
“I want to thank everyone who joined us today to highlight the important role locally grown food plays in our communities,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Far too often, the discussion around alleviating hunger leaves out those who grow, raise, and produce food – our local farmers. The Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act will ensure our local farmers – and community food programs – continue to be a part of the conversation. By establishing agreements between local food growers and local food distribution programs, we can grow our local businesses and improve access to healthy food for those in need.”
The event began with a tour of Brace’s Orchard followed by a roundtable discussion. Rep. Bresnahan was joined by Logan Brace, co-owner of Brace’s Orchard; Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania; Andrea Heller, owner of Heller Orchards; Jerry Mancelli, Brace’s Orchard; and Jennifer Warabak, Executive Director of Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.
The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act will allow states, through USDA, to establish cooperative agreements connecting local farmers and producers with local food distribution organizations. Through these agreements, funds will be used to purchase local, fresh, and minimally processed foods like seafood, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, and poultry. The bill also sets aside a portion of these funds to purchase food specifically from small, mid-size, beginning, and veteran farmers.
The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Feeding Pennsylvania, Feeding America, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), National Farmers Union (NFU), Save the Children, Feeding New York State, and Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY)
Text can be found here.
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