Dear Readers,

Today the U.S. House of Representatives is considering its agriculture spending bill for fiscal year 2012. EWG Action Fund has been working hard to oppose the bill's misguided spending cuts and to support healthy food and local and regional food systems. But we need your voice to help us make the difference. Votes on key amendments can happen any minute. Call your representative now! We have included directions and sample language below to make calling quicker and easier.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., is offering an amendment AGAINST local and regional foods. It would remove all support for the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative that uses existing funds and resources to support local farmers and improve access to local and regional foods. We need your voice in opposition to this amendment.

The good news: Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Me., expects to offer an amendment that SUPPORTS this program, as well as a research initiative for the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would promote local and regional food systems. Help us get this amendment passed today.

Unbelievably, this spending bill would prevent USDA from making improvements to the school lunch program's nutritional standards. Is better nutrition for our kids too expensive? We don't think so. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., plans to offer an amendment to void that language and allow USDA to move forward.

Please call your congressional representative right now and say you support healthier food for kids and programs that promote local food choices for your community. You can reach the House switchboard at 202-224-3121. Here's some sample language:

"Hello, my name is _____. I am one of your constituents and a supporter of EWG Action Fund. I am calling to let you know that I do not support the Foxx amendment to the agriculture spending bill and other language to prevent funding for more nutritious food in school and local and regional food programs such as USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative. Healthy food for our kids, vibrant local farm economies, and fresh, local food options are too important to be eliminated or prevented. Please vote YES on Woolsey and Pingree’s amendments to support healthy school food and local food systems, and vote NO on the Foxx amendment to weaken these programs. Thank you."

Thank you for your activism,

Ken Cook
President, EWG Action Fund