New England Food Policy Report

New England Food Policy Report GET THE REPORT → In New England, demand for local, sustainably produced food is high. However, our region currently imports the majority of the food it consumes. This is due in part to the fact that many of our laws do not support local food production, creating policy barriers at the local, state, and federal levels that affect our region’s capacity to grow and consume more of our own food; process and distribute more of our own meat, poultry, and seafood; and support our signature farmland and those who farm it. Today, we are taking a great step toward supporting the growth of New England’s local food system. In partnership with American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG), we are releasing an extensive, groundbreaking report analyzing policies to strengthen our region’s food system.

The new report, New England Food Policy: Building a Sustainable Food System, is a call to action. It provides a critical policy focus to existing work across the region to build a food system in New England that is healthy, economically vibrant, just, environmentally sustainable, and resilient. Download the report now at http://www.newenglandfoodpolicy.org. Fortunately, according to the recent 2012 Census of Agriculture, in every New England state the number of farms and the amount of land in farming increased from 2007 to 2012. What’s more, in some of these states, the number of young farmers grew as well. Throughout New England, many new and veteran farmers alike are working to feed our region while responsibly stewarding our land. But they need sound policies that supports their efforts — policies that can allow New England to capitalize on the opportunity to build a sustainable food system. New Englanders deserve healthy food that supports our communities and environment. You have the power to tell your policymakers what has to change to make that happen.Take the first step today by reading and sharing our new report. Thanks for all you do on behalf of New England’s food system, Jenny Rushlow Staff Attorney Director of CLF’s Farm & Food Initiative