General Convention food system actions

Two resolutions were passed.

The original resolution was divided and streamlined.

I testified on the new A170, which passed. I am still sorry that I couldn't get the committee (though proposed by social justice it was reviewed and perfected by environmental) to include small-scale and new farmers and farmers from under-represented groups. "Workers throughout the food system" doesn't quite do it, even though farmers do work hard! And I'm not sure about the grocery store item, but that's for another post.

Here it is:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention, encourages the Episcopal Public Policy Network (and related bodies in non-US countries) to continue efforts to create and modify laws and policies that support Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm this Church’s support for farm legislation, joining with our PCUSA brothers and sisters, that is focused on "renewability, sustainability, resilience, minimized carbon emissions, participatory research and decision-making, revitalized rural communities, strong local food economies, security of food supply, ethical treatment of animals, and fair and dignified treatment of persons working throughout the food chain" (Journal of the 2012 General Assembly, PCUSA, Item 11-03.2); and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws that protect the health and safety of workers throughout the food system, that support the workers’ rights to organize, and that support a living wage for food workers throughout the system, from farm to table; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws designed to protect our Earth’s natural environment and to protect humanity’s ability to produce food for generations to come, including restrictions on pesticide overuse, harmful industrial farming practices (e.g., overcrowding of livestock and mono-cropping), and carbon, methane, and nitrogen pollution throughout the food system that threaten animal and human health, damage the soil, and threaten the climate for future generations; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies, laws, and programs designed to increase access to healthy food for all people, including support and development for farmers’ markets, policies permitting use of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers’ markets, and the development of policies and agreements that encourage the siting of full-service grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm support for full and adequate funding for public food programs for the poor and vulnerable, such as the National School Lunch Program, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, SNAP, senior center feeding programs, and summer feeding programs for children.