Iowa Food Systems Council Policy Action Alert
February 9, 2012
The mission of the Iowa Food Systems Council (IFSC) is
to recommend policy, research and program options for an Iowa food system which supports healthier Iowans, communities, economies and the environment. Six of the nine goals have direct links to policy.
Public policy, or legislation, will not be the only focus of the IFSC Policy Committee, or its board. It is, however, one of the most important places to speak and act for systemic change.
The primary goal of the action alert is to provide IFSC members with information to make informed decisions. The IFSC Policy Committee will send periodic Action Alerts during the course of the legislative session so that members will have up-to-date information about the two issues the organization has chosen to support: 1) the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program and the 2) Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan. The updates will allow you to take action from sending an email to your Senator or Representative, to making a phone call or stopping by the Capitol to discuss the issues.
Unfamiliar with the legislative process, or simply want to get more involved and are not sure how? Send a note to iowafoodsystemscouncil@gmail.com and put “Policy Committee” in the Subject line. Someone will get back to you promptly.
SSB 3095 State Emergency Food Assistance Program
Overview. Senator Danielson (chairperson) has introduced Senate Study Bill 3095 in the State Government Subcommittee. This bill provides for charitable food donations to food banks and other emergency feeding organizations that relieve situations of emergency or distress experienced by individuals or families in need who reside in this state. Included in the bill is an appropriation of $2 million for the following: to purchase nutritious food to provide to low income families with a geographical preference on products that support Iowa farmers ($1.7M); administer the acquisition, storage and distribution of the food ($200K); and create a nutrition education grant program ($100K). Also included in the bill is a tax credit for farmers who donate immediately consumable products to food banks and food pantries.
Support. Iowa Farmers Union, United Ways of Iowa, Iowa Community Action Association, Iowa Head Start Association, Iowa Food Bank Association and Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa are in support of this bill.
Action. As the bill develops, it will be important to engage as many legislators in both chambers with a clear consensus that this program is a win for low-resource Iowans, a win for Iowa farmers, and a win for the Iowa economy. This bill closely supports many recommendations in the report Cultivating Resilience: A Food System Blueprint that Advances the Health of Iowans, Farms and Communities.
Thank you to Jordan Vernoy of the Iowa Food Bank Association for providing guidance to this bill.
SF 509 Local Food and Farm Initiative
Overview. The Iowa legislature passed an amendment in 2010 mandating that the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture develop a Local Food and Farm Plan for the state of Iowa. The plan was submitted to the Iowa Legislature in January 2011 and contained 34 recommendations for supporting and expanding local food systems, specifically increasing the production, processing, distribution, marketing, and consumption of local food. Additionally, the Initiative outlines the need to increase the profitability and the number of jobs all along the local food chain. The Iowa Legislature appropriated $75,000 in 2011 to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to support the implementation of the plan. The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture submitted a preliminary report on the Local Food and Farm Plan to the Iowa Legislature in January 2012. The preliminary report outlines progress made toward the completion of the recommendations, identifies barriers to the recommendations, suggestions for additional recommendations and a proposed budget for next steps toward completion. Estimated budget to support completion of the recommendations is $300,000.
References
Local Food and Farm Plan Preliminary Report to the Legislature (January 2012)
Local Food and Farm Plan (January 2011)
SF 509 Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship General Appropriations, 267A.1 (page 15) Local Food and Farm Initiative
Action. In this situation a new bill will not be issued, however, it is important that the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship appropriations bill continue to include funding for the Local Food and Farm Initiative (SF 509, 267A.1). As demonstrated by the January 2012 preliminary report by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, an estimated $300,000 is needed to implement the recommendations. IFSC members are encouraged to visit with legislators about the importance of supporting and expanding local food systems in Iowa. The Local Food and Farm Plan recommendations closely align with the production, transformation and economic development recommendations in the report Cultivating Resilience: A Food System Blueprint that Advances the Health of Iowans, Farms and Communities.