Food Freedom, it does a body good!

The Food Freedom movement is getting a lot more attention these days, in particular for the bipartisan nature of the effort.

In a recent article in The American Conservative magazine titled "Locavore Revolution," Joel Salatin was quoted saying, “If there’s one bipartisan bridge, it’s food. Because everyone has to eat. The message is really community.”

The press has taken notice that Rep. Thomas Massie's Milk Freedom Acts, H.R. 4307 & H.R. 4308 are cosponsored not only by strong constitutional conservatives such as  Reps. Paul Broun (GA-10), Walter Jones (NC-3), and Tom McClintock (CA-4), but by members in good standing of the progressive wing of the Democrat Party such as Reps. Jared Polis (CO-2) and Chellie Pingree (ME-1).

All signs indicate this movement has potential for exponential growth from where it's currently at, if we capitalize on the current opportunity we have in front of us.

In the past few years, the desire for local food has grown quickly across the country. It's not just a niche issue for the "urban elites" or foodies any longer. Americans are beginning to pay more attention to where their food comes from, even while dining out at restaurants.

As noted in the "Locavore Revolution,"

The USDA Economic Research Service reports that from 1997 to 2007, direct agricultural sales increased by 105 percent. The number of U.S. farmers’ markets rose from 1,755 in 1994 to 6,132 by 2010. Community-supported agriculture, or CSA, a system in which consumers invest in a farm’s harvest and receive a share of its produce, has grown, too. In 2005, there were 1,144 CSA’s in the U.S.—up from 761 in 2001 and just two in 1986—there are now over 2,500. Local farmers, so often outmatched by corporate agriculture, are in flourishing demand.

But in order for the food freedom movement to capitalize on this natural wave of Americans seeking out local food sources, Congress must remove regulatory restrictions on small farmers.

That's why, on May 6, Campaign for Liberty will join with other organizations fighting for food freedom like the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund in a nationwide Mass Action Day in support of Rep. Thomas Massie's Milk Freedom Act, H.R. 4307, and the Interstate Milk Freedom Act, H.R. 4308.

On that day, we'll be faxing in petitions we've received from thousands of Campaign for Liberty members across the country and we strongly encourage our members to call their representatives and urge them to support consumer choice by cosponsoring H.R. 4307 and H.R. 4308.

So if you haven't already, please sign your Food Freedom Petition today, then on May 6, be sure to participate in the Mass Action Day by calling your representative!

Tags: thomas massie, Paul Broun, Food Freedom, Walter Jones, milk freedom, Mass Action Day, Jared Polis, Chellie Pingree, Tom McClintock