Victory
S1067: NC Sustainable Local Food Policy Council has passed!

Locally-grown, sustainably-produced food is good for the environment, the local economy, eaters and farmers. The farmer’s market shoppers and CSA farm members among you have known about this for a long time, but government officials are finally catching on. On Thursday, August 6th, the NC House approved, and the Senate concurred, on S1067, the North Carolina Sustainable Local Foods Policy Council. The Council created by this new law, once enacted, will address barriers to a thriving local food economy in NC. Better food policy can help us cope with crises like the economic downturn, an epidemic of obesity, and even climate change. Thank you so much to everyone who took action in support of this important legislation. Great job! If you'd like to see how your state representatives voted on this bill, you can do so on the NC General Assembly's website. >>More background information on this legislation

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took action! S 1067 passed on August 6th, and now awaits the governor's signature to make it official. We'll soon have a Sustainable Local Food Policy Council for NC! >>Learn more about becoming an Ambassador for Just & Sustainable Agriculture >>Support our work - donate today!

Background

Food Policy Councils bring together a diverse array of people involved in the food system to set the course for food and agriculture policy into the future. S 1067, filed by Senator Charlie Albertson, will create a North Carolina Sustainable Local Food Policy Council whose purpose is to “contribute to building a local food economy” that protects the environment and increases food security and access to locally-grown fresh foods for everyone in our state.

The Council’s 24 members are a mix of citizens, government officials and community groups intended to provide representation from all components of the food system: consumers, farmers, grocers, chefs, food processors, distributors, hunger advocates, educators, government, researchers, waste stream managers, and more. The legislation directs the Council to consider and develop policies regarding health and wellness; hunger and food access; economic development; and preservation of farmlands and water resources, and to report its recommendations annually to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Commissioner of Agriculture.