The Farm Bill should be overhauled to help small farmers and rural development, make school lunches healthier, strengthen the food safety net for low income Americans, promote local sustainable and organic food systems, and tackle agriculture’s daunting environmental and conservation problems. The Farm Bill should support, rather than act at cross-purposes, with public health objectives. It is important that the changes not be seen as eliminating support, including subsidies, for American farmers, but instead be viewed as positive reform that support farmers to produce the nutritional diet we need while promoting good environmental and conservation practices.

The US  needs a broader, more equitable safety net that works better for small and  moderate-sized farms. The commodity payment program should also be reformed so small-holder farmers in poor countries get a higher price for their own crops  and give them a better chance to escape hunger and poverty.

The bill should promote conservation and improved land use. The Farm Bill should generate new jobs and strengthen small businesses in rural communities.

Increased funding is needed for the SNAP/ Food Stamp Program while making it easier for hungry individuals to receive help. Benefits need to increase to support a more nutritious diet. SNAP should provide incentives for purchase of fruits and vegetables that would also strengthen local and regional farm-to-market connections. To learn more see: http://www.hungeractionnys.org/farmbill.html