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Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) was authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill to
bring financial assistance to family farmers and ranchers who provide locally
grown fresh food directly to consumers. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service
was assigned to administer this program but thus far it has never been funded.
In recent years, demand for farmers markets has grown tremendously. With over
3 million consumers visiting America's 3,700 farmers markets weekly and buying
from some 50,000 small farmers, farmers markets give a better price to farmers
on their products without wholesalers' intermediation and they also help boost
local economies and farming communities. Recently,
the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations included support for
the Farmers Market Promotion Program at a very modest $1 million but the program
needs far more to be effective in meeting demands around the nation. We are hoping
the Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee will include funding at $5
million for this Farmers Market Promotion Program. These funds would be very helpful
to Grange Halls wishing to apply in the future to expand or start a farmers market
in their communities. The
National Grange policy supports farmer direct marketing, saying that the National
Grange urges the USDA to cooperate fully with the states in developing direct
farmer to consumer marketing programs. Action
Needed: Next week (the week of June 13), the Senate Agricultural Appropriations
Subcommittee will consider funding for the Farmers Market Promotion Program. Please
urge your Senators to support funding the Farmers Market Promotion Program at
$5 million for FY 2006. (To find contact information of your Senators, click SENATE
) Sample
letter: (Please feel free to copy and paste this letter in your e-mail)
Dear
Sen. ___________:
While
the Ag spending bill is under debate in the Senate, I urge you to champion a $5
million appropriation for the Farmers Market Promotion Program. The
2002 Farm Bill authorized $20 million annually for this program to offer competitive
grants to agricultural cooperatives, local governments, non-profits and others
to promote all sorts of farmer direct marketing opportunities. However, Congress
has never appropriated any funds for this program up to now. Farmers Markets have
grown in popularity with increased consumer interest in healthy food directly
from the farm and they help keep farming in business and money in local economies.
Please support
funding the Farmers Market Promotion Program at $5 million for FY 2006 Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Name)__________________________
(Grange/Grange
name and number) __________________________ |
If
you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst
Chil-Sook Hwang by e-mail: chwang@nationalgrange.org
by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109. Are
you a Grange member who is interested in discussing public policy issues with
other Grange members? CLICK HERE
Thank
you for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program.
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