The good news for food lovers in northwest Lower Michigan is that the bustling Traverse City farmers market has extended its two-day a week market season for four more weeks. And it’s also four more weeks before Congress gets back to work after the elections-and when House members ought to buck up and work to pass a Farm Bill that they let expire Sept 30.
House leaders are preparing to go home Friday without bringing up for a vote a Farm Bill that passed with bipartisan support in its own House Agriculture Committee. Waiting until next year is unacceptable.
The school year is about to start. And after the Republican and Democratic conventions, Congress will be back in session. Many are hoping Congress will resume debating the new Farm Bill, including provisions that could mean more fresh, local food for students in schools.
A year ago, Kathie Maldonado couldn’t imagine eating food like this. Now, thanks to a new nonprofit program, Kathie can double her Bridge Card money up to $20 each shopping trip if she uses it to purchase groceries at participating farmers markets. That means $40 each visit for healthy food instead of just $20.
The U.S. Senate passed a historic Farm Bill Thursday, paving the way for an important fight in the House to preserve measures for conservation, local food economies, and healthy food for families and school children.
The Farm Bill is worth watching if you care about investing in local food and farm jobs, the environment, family-scale agriculture, and healthy, local food for schools, kids, and families.