Americans Case

Americans are turning away from unhealthy eating choices and choosing local and sustainable foods produced from local family farmers. As of November 2013, there are 8,144 farmer markets. These farmers are now burdened by new food safety regulations that are inflicted by the federal government. The reason for the implementation of these new regulations is because of the increase of demand for good, healthy food.

The Food Safety Modernization Act is meant to “ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.” The reason this has a negative impact on some smaller farms is because the farms with less than $500,000 in sales are required to to pay four-six percent of their revenue. Another problem that organic and sustainable farmers will face is adhering to the rule of not using compost and manure as fertilizer, which may force them to use synthetic fertilizers. Another restriction these farmers will face is engaging in value-added processing and collecting what they produce with food from other local farms to sell to wholesale buyers. These regulations differ from those of large-scale food processors.

With the new standards, small farmers and processors lack the proper training and support to help them adhere to the changes. Congress has not only not provided funds for the training programs but they have also failed to renew program support for the qualified farms and value-added processors. Many programs have been cut because of this.

Farmers and processors need to come together and provide feedback as well as a revised set of rules. The FDA needs to review these rules, provide adequate resources, and have a recall on the new food safety standards so that farmers do not struggle to provide sustainable and organic foods. Congress should also renew and increase funds for smaller farmers.