JBF Joins Thousands of Organizations Calling for Action on the Farm Bill

As part of the Climate Solutions for Restaurant Survival campaign and our broader advocacy efforts, the Foundation is joining over a thousand organizations from across the country calling on Congress to pass a farm bill that addresses hunger, public health, farmers, workers, and the environment. Since our campaign launch, JBF has been hosting events across the country, talking to policymakers and using its platforms to underscore that the economic impact of climate change is a clear and present danger to a thriving independent restaurant industry.

Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, floods, drought, fire, and shifts in agricultural patterns are driving up costs for an already vulnerable industry and undermining the ability of chefs to meet consumers’ expectations for high-quality meals at all price points. The next farm bill has an opportunity to double down on the historic climate investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, particularly around climate-smart agriculture. The decisions that Congress makes now as it relates to this important funding will have a direct effect on the future of the independent restaurant industry, which employs over 3.9 million workers, generates $209 billion in revenue annually, and supports countless local businesses, including small and mid-sized farms.  

In addition, JBF is deeply concerned about rising food insecurity across the country. Any final farm bill must recognize the importance of addressing food insecurity and promoting access to healthy and nutritious food for all Americans by protecting and strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides vital assistance to millions of individuals and families facing food insecurity. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities and others in need have access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

Read the full letter here.