Farm Bill fosters food system, from growers to urban markets; but raises questions about nutrition benefits.
By Dennis Archambault
The U.S. Farm Bill, which traditionally has supported the nation’s agriculture enterprises, has increasingly been a vehicle for promoting food distribution and nutrition services. While many may not draw a natural link from the needs of growers to the needs of communities, legislators like Sen. Stabenow have made it a point to define that continuum through enhancements within the Farm Bill.
In recent testimony before the Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee, Sen. Stabenow, ranking member of the committee, addressed the strengths of the new Farm Bill:
• Funding for organic research , local food systems, and export marketing support;
• Investment in nutrition incentives and new produce prescriptions geared to health promotion;
• Creation of an Office of Urban Agriculture, offering new tools for urban farmers that are creating employment and fresh foods in communities like Detroit that experience food deserts, swamps, and general maldistribution of good, nutritious food.
• Methods for helping farmers preserve land, improve water quality, and support for “climate-smart” agriculture.
The Farm Bill also rejected changes to nutrition assistance, but the Trump administration has apparently proposed a rule that makes changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would remove food assistance from low income work-ready people without support that would connect them to long-term employment. This dilemma seems related to the rationale for expanded Medicaid work rules, which also establish employment requirements without the job placement/training support needed to help this population enter the work force.
Few argue the value of employment in providing not only a means to a basic standard of living and upward mobility in society, but also as an essential social determinant of health. However, the draconian expectation that one produce proof of employment (or community service) in exchange for social benefits is counterproductive. To deprive someone of the ability to maintain their health may prevent them from securing employment.
The Farm Bill addresses this issue from a different perspective, which is integral to population health. Creating a vibrant urban agriculture industry will promote increased availability of nutritious food and businesses related to processing that food.
In its analysis of the Farm Bill, Urbanagnews.com (https://urbanagnews.com/blog/news/farm-bill-creates-office-for-urban-agriculture-and-innovative-production/), offers a glimpse of what the legislation should deliver:
• Assignment of a farm number for rooftop, indoor, and other urban farms – officially certifying these growing environments as legitimate in the eyes of the government;
• Authority to award competitive grants to operate community gardens or nonprofit farms, educate a community on food systems, nutrition, and environmental impact of growing techniques, and financial assistance for new and beginning farmers;
• Establish pilot projects to increase compost and reduce food.
Urbanagnews.com adds that the legislation stifles smaller growers while continues its support of large growers, such as corporate farms.
As the Department of Agriculture initiates various aspects of the law, such as implementing the Office of Urban Agriculture, it is important for urban food system advocates to articulate their perspectives on how the nation’s agriculture policy should be administered. There are opportunities for progress to support nutrition and fresh food access, but as Sen. Stabenow notes, there are also aspects of the legislation that could counter that and negate much of its potential.
Dennis Archambault is vice president, Public Affairs, for Authority Health.