We applaud Chairwoman Stabenow for introducing a strong farm bill proposal today, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, that helps farmers feed our nation, combats the climate crisis, supports independent restaurants, addresses food insecurity, and promotes access to healthy and nutritious food for all Americans.
Through the Climate Solutions for Restaurant Survival campaign, the James Beard Foundation has been listening to independent restaurant owners, chefs and farmers across the country and we have unequivocally heard that preserving climate-smart agriculture funding from the Inflation Reduction Act was critical to their collective futures. In addition, nearly 600 chefs from every state in the country communicated this point directly to Congress in a letter sent in May. Restaurant owners and farmers have made it clear that climate change is no longer just an environmental concern—it's an economic threat to their businesses and employees. Preserving the Inflation Reduction Act funding for climate-smart agriculture is desperately needed. We are pleased to see that the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act protects this critical funding.
Unmitigated climate change threatens the very survival of the independent restaurant industry, which is a massive economic force, providing millions of jobs, generating hundreds of billions in revenue, and supporting local agriculture and businesses.
Similarly, we were gratified to see that the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act recognizes the importance of addressing food insecurity and promoting access to healthy and nutritious food for all Americans. In particular, 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.
The Senate and House must come together and work on passing a bipartisan farm bill that includes Chairwoman Stabenow’s proposal before the end of the year.
JBF will continue sharing information and calls to action for the chefs community as it becomes available.
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Learn more about our Climate Solutions for Restaurant Survival Campaign.
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