Release No. 0041.10
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USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN HIGHLIGHTS THE 'KNOW YOUR FARMER, KNOW YOUR FOOD' INITIATIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
DURHAM, N.H., Jan. 29, 2010 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today provided highlights of how New Hampshire can tap into USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative, which promotes local and regional food systems by stimulating community economic development and ensuring equitable access to affordable fresh and local food. Merrigan was speaking to students, faculty and administrators at the University of New Hampshire.
"The Obama Administration wants to build on existing programs and engage in new strategies to support and establish local and regional food systems as an economic development strategy to keep wealth in rural communities," Merrigan said. "Part of our 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative is to link the agricultural community to urban markets to bring new understanding of the importance of healthy eating and provide enhanced access to fresh foods. We expect consumer demand for locally grown food in the U.S. to rise from an estimated $4 billion in 2002 to as much as $7 billion by 2012."
The 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. The effort builds on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides for increases and flexibility for USDA programs in an effort to promote local foods. Aimed at strengthening the critical connection between farmers and consumers, the initiative also aims to support local and regional food systems. The effort not only supports increasing economic opportunities for local farmers but also helps school children make healthy food choices.
One example of how farmers can get involved, Merrigan said, is to participate in local farm to school programs that enable schools to feature healthy, locally-sourced products in their cafeterias. USDA currently has a tactical team working on farm to school issues. Some of these programs also incorporate nutrition-based studies, as well as food-learning opportunities such as farm visits, gardening, cooking, and composting activities.
The 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' website, at www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer, features social media tools to help focus the public conversation about farming and food, while engaging American agriculture and linking producers to customers.
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