Interfaith Food Endorses the Farmland for Farmers Act of 2023
Interfaith Food is supporting a national bill to address the increasing trend of large corporate entities purchasing US farm land from family farmers. The Farmland for Farmers Act, recently introduced by Senators Booker and Sanders, would restrict future farmland ownership and leasing by corporate investors. These measures would help combat the land affordability crisis that young, small, and minority farmers face.
NSAC’S California Caucus Announces Platform for 2023 Farm Bill
NSAC’S California Caucus is a group of 13 sustainable agriculture and farmer support organizations, including Interfaith Food, that are working together to ensure the needs of California’s farmers will be met in the 2023 Farm Bill. Building on our ongoing work with farmers across the State, our organizations have conducted surveys, listening sessions, and focus groups to understand what issues are most relevant and where federal investment can be most impactful. Large-scale investments in the next generation of farmers, especially BIPOC farmers, climate-smart farming practices, and organic or regenerative practices that build resilience are some of the key issues Interfaith Food and its CA Caucus partners will be advocating for. You can review and share the platform below.
NSAC 2023 Farm Bill Platform Endorsement
The 2023 Farm Bill will be the most important piece of legislation in agriculture for the next decade. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, our national partner, has released its 2023 Farm Bill Platform detailing its advocacy goal for the Farm Bill. The Platform focuses on:
- Advancing racial equity across the food system;
- Building a climate-resilient future;
- Investing in healthy rural and urban communities; and
- Leveling the playfield for small and mid-sized farms.
Each one of these goals contains three to four specific action items outlined in the comprehensive platform attached below. To endorse NSAC’S Platform and show Congress we all are committed to an equitable, sustainable, and locally-focused 2023 Farm Bill please follow this link.
Letter to request refunding for CNIP to Governor Newsom
On November 17, 2022, Interfaith Food and its partners signed a letter to request $35-million to refund the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) to Governor Newsom. The letter requested continued budget support for CNIP which funds programs like Interfaith Foods’ Senior Bonus Bucks Program, and the Market Match nutrition incentive program for Cal Fresh participants. The turbulence caused by pandemic recovery and unprecedented inflation continue to put pressure on food security for many Californians. This program is an essential lifeline for low-income Californians and small farmers. Interfaith Food supported the creation of CNIP several years ago, and now it is needed more than ever. Please find the letter below. Thank you to the faith-groups who heard the call and signed-on with short notice. Watch for additional opportunities to join our advocacy for this important initiative before the next state budget is signed in June, 2023.
Coalition letter for AIM’s new CFA
We are asking for you to sign-on to a coalition letter in support of a $5 million one-time state budget request from Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire (D-2) and Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-10) for the Agricultural Institute of Marin’s new Center for Food and Agriculture (CFA), the future home of the Marin Farmers Market and educational center.
Call on Sacramento Leaders to Extend COVID-19 Sick Leave! Without the protection of COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, most California workers are left with only 3 paid sick days per year, not nearly enough to follow public health advice to isolate and quarantine.
Part of Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative COVID response is to advocate for increased funding to get local, healthful food to seniors. A summary of our California pilot proposal can be found below.
As a part of our mission, Interfaith Food commits to advancing a sustainable food system by advancing public policy through advocacy. Look for timely opportunities to influence public decision making here.
Act now for Farmworkers! Deadline 9/27/2021
SB 606 – Protecting Farmworkers and Food Chain Workers
Join Interfaith Food in calling on Governor Newsom to sign SB 606 protecting farmworkers and food chain workers from unsafe work conditions related to employer COVID policies and other practices. Sample letter to show your congregation’s support to this bill below. For a Microsoft Word version of this, contact our office.