House Democrat Marcy Kaptur of Ohio has introduced an urban agriculture bill. Kaptur’s Urban Agriculture Production Act is described as a bipartisan bill that would bolster nutritional programs and farmers’ markets and help create the next generation of local, urban farmers and food producers. In a news release, Kaptur says “the federal government needs to step up and improve access to nutritious foods,” as “too many urban neighborhoods are in food deserts that lack stores where people can purchase fresh, healthy foods.”
The bill would work to spur the development and expansion of regional and local food systems in nontraditional agriculture production areas, like cities and towns. The bill also would work to strengthen farmers’ markets, improve nutrition for low-income seniors and veterans and bolster existing Agriculture Department programs that support farmers, ranchers and producers as a tool for economic development. The legislation is supported by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Farmers Market Coalition.
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.