Issue Position: Local Foods

Issue Position

I am strong supporter of Maine's efforts to support local foods and local farms because there's no need to buy food from across the globe or country when our neighbors are already producing fresh, healthy produce. As member of the House Agriculture Committee, I'm working for federal policy that better supports creation of these local jobs.

After years of work, the President signed a 2014 Farm Bill containing many of the reforms proposed in Congresswoman Chellie Pingree's Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act. These reforms take important steps to support local farmers, invest in regional food systems, and give all consumers better access to nutritious food that benefits the local economy.

Among others, victories include:

*Making it easier to use SNAP benefits to purchase local food
*More funding to promote farmers markets and farm stand, assist farmers seeking organic certification, and make local value-added products.
*Reforming federal insurance programs that work better to protect organic and diversified farms

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