Ohio Grown: Local Food Creating Local Opportunities

INVITE: Ohio Grown: Local Food Creating Local Opportunities

You are invited! Ohio Grown: Local Food Creating Local Opportunities With Keynote Speaker Kathleen Merrigan, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Come learn about changing policies to support local food economies, local food financing, scaling up, and more. Thursday, August 9, 2012 9:00am - 5:00pm Registration begins at 8:30am The Ohio State University Fawcett Center 2400 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus, Ohio Please register for the event by contacting Ohio State University Extension at (614) 292-7875 or grevents@cfaes.osu.edu This event is free and open to the public Locally-sourced lunch will be available for $15/person Space available for materials or display of your organization; please request in your RSVP. Space is limited. First Come, First Served. Tentative Agenda Time Session 8:30-9:00am Registration 9:00-9:15am Welcome and Opening Remarks 9:15-10:00am Keynote Speaker: Kathleen Merrigan, USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Increasing Access to Locally Grown and Healthy Food 10:00-11:00am Why Local? The Potential of a Local Food Economy—How does local food fit into the future of Ohio’s economy? Can local food create jobs and opportunities for rural and urban Americans alike? What will it take to make sustainable agriculture a viable career and profitable business opportunity for Ohio farmers? 11:00-11:15am Networking/Break 11:15-12:15pm Good Food Financing—Whether a farm business, a grain mill, a food hub, or a school, the future of local food must be rooted in sound economics and viable business models. Finance experts and practitioners will share their wisdom. 12:15-1:15pm Working Lunch provided by Ohio State University Extension Ohio grown to the extent possible. 1:15-1:30pm Networking/Break 1:30-2:30pm Making the Local Food Connection—This panel will feature individuals from Ohio and beyond who are involved in institutional purchasing and others who will explain how they are tackling the challenges associated with the aggregation, distribution, and infrastructure of local food. 2:30-2:45pm Networking/Break 2:45-3:45pm Changing Policy To Support Local Food Economies—From local zoning and regional planning to federal food and agriculture laws, policy can help or hinder continued growth of a local food economy. A few of Ohio’s leaders will discuss their efforts to change policy to support local food economies. 3:45-4:45pm Building on Best Practices & Looking Forward—Ohioans who are making local work will share lessons learned, best practices, and lead a discussion on what it will take to grow Ohio’s local food economy in the years to come.

REP FUDGE CELEBRATES FARM BILL VICTORY ON MICROLOAN AND YOUTH LOANS

For Immediate Release LeMia Jenkins Press Secretary LeMia.Jenkins@mail.house.gov (202) 225-7032

July 12, 2012 REP FUDGE CELEBRATES FARM BILL VICTORY ON MICROLOAN AND YOUTH LOANS WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a meeting of the House Agriculture Committee that lasted into the early morning hours, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) is pleased to announce the passage of two amendments to the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012, known as the Farm Bill. Congresswoman Fudge sponsored the USDA Microloan and the USDA Youth Loan amendments. Both amendments are enormous victories for the 11th Congressional District and national urban agriculture movement.  This was a bipartisan effort supported by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska. As a strong advocate for urban and youth farming, the Congresswoman’s legislative accomplishments show her commitment to  improving  federal agricultural credit programs to better meet the needs of small, young, beginning, veteran and urban farmers and ranchers. Congresswoman Fudge’s USDA Microloan initiative will provide nontraditional farmers with loans up to $35,000, help streamline the application process, and minimize administrative burdens. This initiative comes with no cost to the government. The Congresswoman’s USDA Youth Loan amendment breaks down the residential barrier that kept urban youth from accessing agriculture loans.  Formally USDA Youth Operating Loans were only available to young people who live in rural areas. Now ALL youth, no matter where they live, have access.  This amendment also comes at no additional cost to the federal budget. “The passage of these amendments is a victory for America’s youth and urban farmers. Both pieces of legislation are groundbreaking by eliminating nonsensical barriers for urban farmers. Now these Americans will have the same access as rural farmers in agriculture, a billion dollar industry. This is how we create jobs and get Americans back to work!” says Congresswoman Fudge. ###

Mike Walton of Tunnel Vision Hoops Testifies Before House Ag Subcommittee

For Immediate Release Belinda Prinz Communications Director Belinda.Prinz@mail.house.gov   (216) 522-4900

May 10, 2012 CLEVELAND URBAN FARMER TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITEE AT INVITATION OF CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE "URBAN AGRICULTURE IS HERE TO STAY AND URBAN FARMERS DESERVE ACCESS TO CREDIT AND OTHER USDA PROGRAMS THAT TRADITIONAL FARMERS RECEIVE." WASHINGTON, D.C. - In what may be a first for the House Agriculture Committee, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) invited an urban farmer from Cleveland to testify today before the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight & Credit of which she is the Ranking Member. Michael Walton, co-owner of Tunnel Vision Hoops and League Park Market Place in Cleveland testified at a hearing to discuss the reauthorization of the Farm Bill and USDA credit programs. "Based on testimony received, including that from Mr. Michael Walton, a Cleveland agricultural entrepreneur, it is clear that USDA does not consider the unique needs of non-traditional farmers when developing its credit programs," said Congresswoman Fudge.    "Urban farmers are legitimate agricultural producers who happen to live and farm outside of the traditional rural environment.  They are filling an increasingly important role in the economic well being of urban areas, and provide healthy nutrition for many who would otherwise not have access to it.  Yet time and time again, producers in the Eleventh Congressional District and other urban areas across this nation have expressed valid frustration, particularly with the USDA credit programs. Access to credit can make or break rural farm operations, and urban farm operations are no different.” The Farm bill is currently being updated. Congresswoman Fudge is urging colleagues on the Agriculture Committee to give serious consideration to the needs of urban farmers.

CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE PLANTS SEEDS TO FIGHT HUNGER, SUPPORT URBAN AGRICULTURE BY INTRODUCING "LET'S GROW ACT OF 2012"

For Immediate Release Belinda Prinz Communications Director Belinda.Prinz@mail.house.gov   (216) 522-4900 April 16, 2012

CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE PLANTS SEEDS TO FIGHT HUNGER, SUPPORT URBAN AGRICULTURE  BY INTRODUCING "LET'S GROW ACT OF 2012" WASHINGTON, DC-- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) today will introduce the Let’s Grow Act of 2012 to support sustainable agriculture activities in American cities, promote urban farming, eradicate hunger and improve access to healthy food.  The legislation addresses the epidemic of hunger and the high rate of childhood obesity, as well as encourages health and wellness in our communities.  "This bill will allow American cities to address chronic problems dealing with hunger and obesity as well as health and wellness.  It will provide a path for more Americans to live healthier lives by focusing on local, fresh foods.  It provides incentives for urban gardening, which are especially important in urban areas including Cleveland, and gives agricultural entrepreneurs the support they need to grow and build successful enterprises," said Congresswoman Fudge. "This bill will give a generation of children, many of whom are estimated to have shorter life expectancies than their parents due to poor health, a hope for the future.  It will allow low-income residents access to healthier foods and improve their diets, relieving some of the stress on our current health care system.  With thousands of acres of vacant property from the foreclosure crisis as well as a recession that hit middle class families hard, many cities need investment in their local infrastructure, local food production, and the health of their residents." The bill: Improves access to nutritious food by promoting an expansion of the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit at farmers markets across the nation and assisting local corner stores to offer more fresh food options; Lowers the rate of childhood obesity by creating the Farm-to-Preschool Program and a private, public partnerships to conduct assessments on the availability of nutritious foods served to children through federal feeding programs; Eradicates hunger through the Weekends and Holidays Without Hunger program for kids, and the expansion and modernization of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which makes funding for TEFAP food more responsive to changes in need through the creation of a trigger that ties funding to the unemployment rate.  This will increase support to food banks during an economic downturn. Encourages training and job creation by establishing the Urban Agricultural Workforce Training Pilot Programming, which provides grants to develop and implement urban agricultural workforce training programs. Incentivizes urban farming through the creation of the Urban Entrepreneur and Microenterprise Assistance Program, which includes training and operation support for prospective and struggling urban farmers, as well as a grant program to assist with the creation and sustaining of community gardens.  The legislation includes grants for eligible individuals and entities to acquire abandoned and/or foreclosed properties in urban areas to convert for agricultural uses, while supporting the conversion of public land to usage for urban farms and community gardens. The legislation could increase annual regional output and expand state and local tax collections as well as increase the food security of hundreds of thousands of people, especially residents who live in food deserts.

Rep. Fudge Applauds New School Meal Standards

REP. FUDGE APPLAUDS NEW SCHOOL MEAL STANDARDS

WASHINGTON, DC--The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) unveiled new standards for school meals today that will help nearly 32 million kids receive more nutritious foods during the school day.  The new standards require both fruit and vegetables to be offered every day of the week, substantially increase offerings of whole grain-rich foods, ensure proper portion size based on a child's age, and focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium. 

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), a strong advocate for children's health and wellness, applauded the new requirements and thanked the administration for raising school meal standards for the first time in more than fifteen years.

"Nearly one in three children is overweight or obese.  These children are on track to have a shorter lifespan than their parents, which is simply unacceptable.  Improving standards is the first step in combating preventable diseases like diabetes and heart disease due to overweight and obesity.  Let's take this momentum and continue to improve the foods our children eat."

When proposed new standards were issued in 2011, Congresswoman Fudge worked with USDA to ensure they would not adversely affect the budgets of local schools.  The new standards are expected to cost $3.2 billion over the next five years, less than half the estimated cost of the proposed standards. 

Congresswoman Fudge is dedicated to the cause of eradicating childhood obesity.  In the last year, she sponsored:

• H.Res. 2795, Fit for Life, a comprehensive approach to addressing the obesity crisis by improving the quality of and access to food, advancing preventative measures, expanding treatment of obesity in children and encouraging physical activity in underserved communities, was introduced in 2011.
• H.Res. 339, designates September 2011 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.  In Ohio and around the nation during the month of September, parents, schools, and health care providers will promote fitness and nutrition for our kids.  The bill has support from over 30 national organizations.

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Congresswoman Fudge to Shop for 1 Week's Worth of Food for $31.50 as Part of the Food Stamp Challenge

For Immediate Release Belinda Prinz Communications Director Belinda.Prinz@mail.house.gov   (216) 630-0072

November 4, 2011 Media Advisory CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE TO SHOP FOR ONE WEEK'S WORTH OF FOOD FOR $31.50 AS PART OF THE FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) will visit a Dave's Supermarket in Cleveland at 12 noon on November 7th as part of her participation in a national Food Stamp Challenge.  At that time, the Congresswoman will purchase one week's worth of food; spending no more than $31.30, the average weekly allotment for a Food Stamp recipient.  That comes out to $4.50 a day per person, or $1.50 per meal.   Media are welcome to cover her shopping trip. Congresswoman Fudge joined the challenge to live off the average Food Stamp benefit for one week as part of the "Fighting Poverty with Faith, Working Together to end Hunger" mobilization campaign. This effort seeks to raise awareness of hunger across the Nation and defend the Food Stamp program (formally called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) from proposed cuts in the federal budget. "In June, a staggering 45.2 million Americans filed for food stamps because they are living in poverty- that's 1 in 7 Americans.  The need is certainly great in our community with 20% of the residents of my district receiving food stamps. It would be an American tragedy if we balance the federal budget by reducing food aid to our most vulnerable citizens," said Congresswoman Fudge.   WHO:  Congresswoman Marcia Fudge WHEN:  12pm noon, Monday, November 7, 2011 WHERE:  Dave's Supermarket, 3301 Payne Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114 WHAT:  Shopping trip to purchase one week's worth of food for $31.50, the average weekly Food Stamp benefit

Brown Introduces Bill to Expand Markets for Farmers and Increase Access to Local Foods

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011

Contacts:

Meghan Dubyak/Lauren Kulik (Brown) 202-224-3978

Willy Ritch (Pingree) 207-841-8400

BROWN INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND MARKETS FOR FARMERS AND INCREASE ACCESS TO LOCAL FOODS

Legislation Would Boost Ohio’s Rural Economy, Improve Consumer Access to Healthy, Fresh Foods

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced legislation today to support family farms, expand farming businesses, create rural jobs, and invest in local and regional food economies. The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act is a comprehensive package of reforms that would help Ohio farmers and ranchers by addressing production, aggregation, marketing and distribution needs.  The bill would also prioritize consumer access to healthy, fresh food with support for technology and direct sales.

“Linking Ohio producers with Ohio consumers is common sense. By increasing access to fresh, local foods, we can expand markets for Ohio’s agricultural producers while creating jobs and strengthening our economy,” Brown said.

“Making it easier for farmers to sell food locally and easier for consumers to buy it translates directly into a more healthy economy and more jobs in our communities,” Pingree said.  “Consumers want to be able to buy fresh, healthy food that doesn’t have to travel half way around the world to get to them, we just need to create a farm policy in this country that makes it easier for them to do that.”

Right now, for each dollar that consumers spend on food, less than $0.16 goes back to the farmer. Supporting opportunities for farmers to sell their products directly to consumers or through shorter local supply chains means that more of a consumers’ dollar stays on the farm, where it is invested in local jobs and supplies and helps the local economy.

A recent study shows that if northeast Ohio’s residents and businesses spent 25 percent of their food dollars on local farms and businesses, 27,500 new jobs could be created while increasing economic output by $4.2 billion and generating $126 million in local and state taxes. 

The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act includes provisions that would:

• Improve crop insurance products available to small and diversified family farms.
• Eliminate existing penalties for production of fruits and vegetables on land previously dedicated to row-crops.
• Invest in critical infrastructure that would enable farmers and food-businesses to aggregate, store and distribute their products.
• Increase food safety training and technical assistance resources for small and mid-sized farming operations as well as to small slaughterhouses.
• Reduce barriers to institutional purchasing, better linking Ohio farms with Ohio schools, hospitals, and other institutions.
• Enable SNAP recipients to purchase fresh, Ohio-grown food by helping farmers and direct sales markets acquire the technology necessary to accept electronic benefits.

A summary of the bill can be found here.

Senate cosponsors of the bill include Sens. Robert P. Casey (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD), and Jon Tester (D-MT). House cosponsors include U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), David Cicilline (RI-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Peter DeFazio (OR-4), Keith Ellison (MN-5), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-7), Janice Hahn (CA-36), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Ron Kind (WI-3), Dennis J. Kucinich (OH-10), Barbara Lee (CA-9), Ben Ray Lujan (NM-3), Ed Markey (MA-7), Jim McGovern (MA-3), Mike Michaud (ME-20), Gwen Moore (WI-4), Jim Moran (VA-8), Jerrold Nadler (NY-8), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-at large), John W. Olver (MA-1), Laura Richardson (CA-37), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP) Northern Mariana Islands, Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Louise M. Slaughter (NY-28), Peter Welch (VT- at large), and Lynn Woolsey (CA-6).

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CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE INTRODUCES BILL AIMED AT COMBATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY

For Immediate Release Laura Allen Press Secretary Laura.Allen@mail.house.gov (202) 590-6496

CONGRESSWOMAN FUDGE INTRODUCES BILL AIMED AT COMBATING CHILDHOOD OBESITY, WITH FOCUS ON MINORITY COMMUNITIES WASHINGTON, DC-- For the second year in a row, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) has introduced legislation aimed at combating childhood obesity. Fit for Life, H.R. 2795, is a comprehensive approach to addressing the obesity crisis by improving the quality of and access to food, advancing preventative measures, expanding treatment of obesity in children and encouraging physical activity in underserved communities. "One in three children are obese or overweight, and, for the first time in history, this generation is on track to have a shorter life span than their parents. Unfortunately, for some children, where they grow up determines how well and how long they live. Under-served communities, like many areas in Cleveland, are plagued with food deserts and neighborhoods with limited access to fresh foods. Children in the inner-city don't have safe places to exercise. This bill addresses many of the factors that impact the high rate of obesity specifically in minority communities," said Congresswoman Fudge. The legislation has support from more than 20 organizations, including the American College of Sports Medicine, American Beverage Association, and America SCORES Cleveland. It was cosponsored by Rep. Donna Christensen (Virgin Islands), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-9), and Rep. Donald Payne (NJ-10). "The country spends almost $150 billion per year to treat obesity-related conditions in adults. Costs due to excess weight during childhood are estimated at $3 billion per year, yet it's estimated that 80 percent of overweight adolescents grow up to be obese adults. This bill addresses excess costs through preventative measures and altering external circumstances to reduce the number of children who will become obese, therefore reducing the likelihood they will become obese adults," said Congresswoman Fudge. This legislation tackles the lack of supermarkets in underserved communities by creating a program to award grants to local partnerships to establish or enhance existing supermarkets that sell fresh fruits and produce in low income communities located in food deserts. It expands the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, by amending the National School Lunch Act, to include secondary schools, child care centers, and family child care homes, while increasing access to the Summer Food Service Programs for Children. View a summary of the bill attached. "We talk extensively about the health of the country we will leave our children, but what about the health of the children we will leave our country? We encourage our kids to prosper, but too many of them will not be healthy enough to fight in the military, or will be overburdened with diseases like type II diabetes and high blood pressure when they grow up." Congresswoman Fudge also introduced H.R. 339 earlier this year; the bill designates September 2012 as Childhood Obesity Awareness month. Click here for more information.