SR0530 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0530 LRB097 16426 GRL 62910 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The federal farm bill impacts all Illinoisans; agriculture represents a vital part of both rural and urban economies; and

WHEREAS, There is growing consumer demand from Illinois citizens for locally and regionally-produced farm and food products; and

WHEREAS, There is growing farmer and entrepreneur interest in meeting the consumer demand for local and regional farm and food products; and

WHEREAS, Local and regional food economies are a vital source of employment in our communities; and

WHEREAS, Supporting public health and protecting our environment are essential to the viability and livability of our communities and our economy; and

WHEREAS, Communities throughout Illinois face multiple health, social, and environmental issues connected to food, including hunger, malnutrition, increasing incidences of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases; and

WHEREAS, Increased access to healthy food is an important tool for communities to address the multifaceted health, social, and environmental issues connected to food; and

WHEREAS, Access to healthy food is increased when local and regional community-based food production, processing, aggregation, distribution, and retail work together to build markets for healthy food; and

WHEREAS, The policies, programs, and funding included in the 2012 Farm Bill will affect how successful Illinois communities can be in developing local and regional food systems that advance the goals of environmental sustainability, economic development, public health, racial and social justice, and emergency preparedness; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Congress to adopt a farm bill that supports and promotes the development of local and regional food systems; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.