Buy Local Food In Kitsap

Jill Warning On Farm and Food Policy

Regulation affects us all, from the driver’s licenses we carry in our purses and wallets, to the ways financial institutions use our money, to the foods we eat.

As a farmer, or a consumer interested in local food, how does regulation of food growers affect you?

If you have anything to say on the matter, respond to the survey below, by emailing your responses to me at jill.warning@gmail.com. I am gathering comments to pass along to state and national representatives of Kitsap County.

The Sammamish Valley Grange in Woodinville #286 put together an Ad Hoc committee to address issues, too.

Fast Facts: FMSA[1] proposal:

Gives Secretary of Health and Human Services rulemaking authority in agriculture, including suspending facilities, and assessing and collecting fees for Food facility re-inspection & Food recalls, and ordering recalls.

Aims to create “Traceability” in the U.S. food system through a series of regulations and mandates.

Requires each food facility to evaluate hazards and implement preventive controls.

Mandates a National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy which would require the Secretary to:

• (1) identify preventive programs and practices to promote the safety and security of food;
• (2) allocate inspection resources based on the risk profile of food facilities or food;
• (3) improve the capacity of the Secretary to track and trace raw agricultural commodities (and MORE).

KCAA Survey: Write any extra comments on back of sheet. Give your email to receive survey results summary. Email any comments to jill.warning@gmail.com.

1. What are you currently doing to comply with FDA and USDA Food Safety regulations? Are there any changes to your practices you think are necessary to improve food safety?

2. Do you feel that you are part of the local food network in Kitsap County? Do you feel that you are part of the industrial food market? Can you be part of both?

3. How much do you know about the Food Safety Modernization Act? Are you familiar with the HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point system)?

4. What do you know about food safety regulations on foods imported from other countries? What role do you see imported foods playing in the food industry? How would you change that role?

5. Many argue that the underlying food safety issues associated with large industrial farming and consolidation of our food supply are not the same issues as those affecting small and medium size farms. Proposed versions of FSMA in both the House and Senate require legislators to take small and medium size farms into consideration when drafting new regulations. How much faith do you have that legislators will create regulations that both adequately address safety concerns and allow small and medium size farms to be competitive?

6. If you could say one thing to federal lawmakers about Food Safety legislation, as it relates to your life (your farm, your shopping, your community), what would it be?

[2] Adapted from CRS summary, available at: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-510&tab=summary.