Advocacy Corner: Support the Let's Grow Act!

Do you like federal food policies that:

• Create incentives for people to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) to purchase fresh, locally-grown fruits and veggies?
• Encourage connections between preschools and small farms?
• Offer grants for the creation or expansion of community gardens?
• Amend laws to allow farmers of color, women, veterans, tribes and first-generation farmers increased access to USDA funds and other subsidies?
• Provide nutritious food on weekends and holidays for hungry schoolchildren? 

So do we!!!

These fabulous progressive programs are just a few components of the Let's Grow Act, recently introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH). The Let's Grow Act recognizes the potential of community-based agriculture to address hunger and decrease obesity, especially among children, the elderly, and low-income Americans.

We need your support to help move this Bill forward!

Please join Lettuce Link in fighting hunger and building local food economies by asking Seattle's Rep. Jim McDermott to co-sponsor the Let's Grow Act. Click here to send an e-mail or call 206-553-7170.

Here's a sample letter to get you started:

Urban communities deserve access to healthy and affordable food, which can also expand local economies. I urge you to co-sponsor the Let's Grow Act! H.R.4351 introduced by Rep. Fudge (D-OH). Everyone should have access to nutritious and affordable food, and I believe that the Let's Grow Act will improve the lives of people in my community. 

Seattle community leaders have stated their commitment to equitable access to healthy food and a health-centered food system with the Seattle Farm Bill Principles. I believe the Let's Grow Act builds on these principles and I urge you to show your support by becoming a co-sponsor. Thank you for your time and commitment to representing the voices of Washington's 7^th district.

(Not a constituent in Washington's 7^th district? Enter your zipcode to find your Representative here.)

After you call or e-mail, let us know how it went! Leave a comment below or on our Facebook page.