Resource Guide: Organize in Your Community around the Food and Farm Bill

In communities all across the country, people are coming together to learn and teach one another about the Food and Farm Bill, how it impacts them, and what to do about it. You can too!

These are some examples of local events around the country we’ve heard about; some are post-event reports, others are announcements with event logistics. If you’d like to organize your own, get inspired by what these groups have done. Where available, we’ve provided contact information so you can get in touch with organizers of other events.

Also, WhyHunger partner Food and Water Watch is organizing for a fair food and farm bill in communities all around the country. To see what their organizers are doing near you, click here.

If you’ve hosted an event on the Food and Farm Bill in your community, please let us know, and we’ll include it.

California

West Oakland: The Farm Bill: What Does It Mean for Me?
August 25, 2011; Sponsors: HOPE Collaborative (Health for Oakland’s People and Environment), California Food and Justice Coalition (CFJC), Oakland Food Policy Council, People’s Grocery

Report, from Anthropology News:
The 2012 Farm Bill: National food policy debate sparks local food justice concerns

Hawaii

Honolulu: Bringing the Farm Bill Home: “Exploring the Local Side of the Federal Farm Bill”
May 3rd, 2011; 6-8pm  Sponsor: Hawaii Food Policy Council
Guest Speakers: Diane Ley, Naomi Kaneshiro, Gary Maunakea-Forth and Ashley Lukens
**please bring a plate, fork, and small local dish to share**

Massachusetts

Worcester: Farm Bill Forum
June 9, 2011; 10-11am  Sponsors: Congressman Jim McGovern (3rd Congressional District, MA); Worcester Food & Active Living Policy Council
There will be a brief “Farm Bill 101” presentation to start off the forum, followed by the Congressman sharing his perspective on the 2012 Farm Bill process.  There will also be significant time for discussion and questions. Advocates from across the food system spectrum are invited to participate; those that live in Congressman McGovern’s district are especially encouraged to attend.  

More information: Liz Sheehan Castro, 508-757-5631 ext. 304

New York

NYC Food and Farm Bill Working Group
This broad coalition of New York City and State organizations, including antihunger, urban and rural farm, academic, consumer, public health, school food, and community organizing groups, has been meeting since 2010 to develop policy principles, strong relationships, and strategies for the 2012 Food and Farm Bill debate.

Westchester Food Justice Forum
September 12, 2011; 7-9pm Sponsors: WESPAC’s Food Justice Committee, the Freedom Food Alliance, Hunger Action Network of New York State
**7:00-7:30 WESPAC Committe Reports followed by presentations and strategy sessions about: Local food justice work, the Federal Farm Bill & update about the fight for farmworker’s rights.

Hear from Mark Dunlea of the Hunger Action Network of NYS, Rev. Noelle Damico about the work of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and WESPAC members on local food justice work. Bring your garden harvest to share as we come together after the summer season.

For more info: [email protected], www.wespac.org

 

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