Expanding local agricultural markets is the goal of newly introduced legislation in Congress.
The Local FARMS Act would help farmers and ranchers reach new markets through direct sales and farmer’s markets.
Anna Johnson with the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons Nebraska adds that it increases access to healthy foods for low-income people.
Johnson says recent years have been tight for agriculture, and this would help.
Provisions include allowing low-income veterans to use a farmer’s market program for senior citizens, giving schools more leeway in buying from local producers, and creating processing facilities that serve smaller meat and dairy clients.
