The Farmstand Blog
Come to the Table Supports Community Supported Agriculture Across the State
September 15, 2023
Through mutually beneficial and self-sustaining farm and faith relationships, congregations across the state are able to participate in the building of thriving local food systems and economies while also engaging in relational ministries with farmers in their communities.
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USDA Should Buy Meat from Local Processors, Not Meatpacking Monopolists
September 13, 2023
In 2022, USDA purchased nearly half of its meat from the largest category of meat processors. Even more egregiously, 25% of USDA’s meat procurement was allocated to just four dominant meatpackers: $279 million to Tyson, $13 to Cargill, $5 million to Smithfield, and, despite its criminality, $63 million to JBS. In contrast, less that 7% of USDA’s meat procurement contracts were awarded to small meat processors serving regional food systems.
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Second Round of Climate Grants to be Awarded to BIPOC Organizations
September 8, 2023
RAFI-USA is pleased to announce that a second round of grants have been awarded, both to continue providing funding to previous grant recipients, and to support thirteen new organizations. As before, the purpose of this grant is to allow organizations to engage with local communities in climate advocacy and policy work in order to develop a more inclusive Farm Bill which accurately reflects the needs of BIPOC farmers.
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FOCN Holds Regional Mini-Conference in Atlanta, GA
August 9, 2023
The two-day event included urban farm tours, locally catered dining, and a full-day resource rodeo with local partners and farmer-serving organizations. RAFI staff were also able to schedule a few farm visits along the way.
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Applications Open for School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling
August 2, 2023
Applications are now open for the fall cohort of Come to the Table's School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling. Learn more and apply now!
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Farmers Deserve Fair and Equitable Access to Credit
July 27, 2023
On May 2, 2023, as a part of the Pointing the Farm Bill Towards Racial Justice Summit, RAFI Policy Director Margaret Krome-Lukens participated in a Senate briefing on racial justice in the Farm Bill. She remarks on the Fair Credit for Farmers Act, and the stories that drove us to fight for this bill.
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New Legislation Introduced to Close Loopholes in Packers and Stockyards Act
July 22, 2023
The Poultry Grower Fairness Act expands protections against unfair, discriminatory, or deceptive practices to all poultry growers, including breeder hen and pullet growers, and grants the USDA administrative enforcement authority over poultry, as it already has over livestock industries. Learn about this and more.
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Re-Framing SNAP and Work Requirements
July 13, 2023
On June 30, Come to the Table partnered with RAFI’s Challenging Corporate Power Program to host a webinar entitled “Food as a Human Right: Re-Framing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Work Requirements.” The webinar addressed the history of SNAP, how work requirements have been tied to eligibility, and the energy behind the “food as a human right” movement.
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