Department of Food

It seems recently there has been a lot of discussion about Obama’s appointment of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Leading up to Tom Vilsack’s nomination there was tremendous hope and grassroots campaign efforts to elect one of our own sustainable agriculture advocates to the position. Prior to Vilsack’s appointment there was much talk among food advocates and leaders such as Michael Pollan and NY Times op-ed columnist Nicholas Kristof of creating a Department of Food rather than a Department of Agriculture. Although this may now seem unlikely at the federal level there is still potential to see such an idea come to fruition at the city, county and state levels.

Why can’t our local governments take the lead and develop their own Departments of Food? These Departments could give food serious consideration in the multiple ways in which it affects our cities, personal lives, schools, children, and our environment. Policies such as the Farm Bill are in large part about federal food aid but in no way should we forget that the Department of Agriculture and the Farm Bill administer many programs that relate to the growing of food—albeit largely subsidized conventional rice, wheat, corn and soy.  And of course lets no forget these policies do not support the development of sustainable and regional food systems, but rather put big bucks in agribusinesses already big pockets instead of being invested in building food production systems that produce the good food we all want and need. If our cities feel it is important to address issues of food injustice, food deserts and hunger than why not open new markets for farmers, provide urban growing space for new farmers and make access to locally grown food easier through city, county and state policy at the Department of Food? Because without farmers and food there can be no access.

Voice your concerns as a newly “revamped” CA Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture seeks to look more broadly at what food and sustainability means as the passing of proposition 2 has demanded CA Politian’s pay greater attention to the CA food system. A website will be launched to post information on the committee as well as gather public input on the policies to be discussed by such a committee.

To be part of the discussion visit: http://www.californiasafefood.com.
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