By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-589245.mp3
Albany, NY – Currently, more than 35 million Americans cannot meet their own food needs. The Food Outreach and Opportunity Development or FOOD, for a Healthy America Act would increase the supply and availability of locally produced foods by providing innovative financing for small and midsized family farmers and ranchers.
Retail prices of fresh fruits and vegetables increased nearly 40 percent between 1985 and 2000. Clinton says many inner city neighborhoods have no source of fresh fruits and vegetables, so consumers are stocking thier pantries with cheap carbohydrate and corn-syrup laden products. According to the Northeast-Midwest Institute, when food is produced, packaged, and distributed closer to where it is sold and consumed, farmers earn a higher share of the food dollar.
Brown and Clinton's new legislation would provide loans and loan guarantees to help producers open up roadside stands, farmers markets and other ways of marketing direct to consumers and increase fruits and vegetables in school meals, especially in low-income communities where healthy foods are usually only available at premium prices.
Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.