Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
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Updates on Food Safety by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. NSAC is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
4M ago
The Strengthening Local Processing Act (SLPA) is the most comprehensive meat processing bill around, with specific provisions that address competition, demand for local products, and access to value added services in the meat processing sector. It does so by addressing acute issues for processors vital to our supply chain, and by promoting training programs that bolster the resilience of these processors, the farmers they work with, and food access for their communities. Led by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jim Baird (R-IN ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1y ago
The end of a year signifies a time to reflect on all of the most important accomplishments and tribulations of the past year. At NSAC, we had the opportunity to celebrate and find new reasons to expand our advocacy to support sustainable agriculture practices, small-scale producers, diversified farming, local food systems, and beginning and underserved farmers and ranchers. Here are NSAC’s Top 10 accomplishments of 2022:
1. NSAC’s In-Person Engagement!
After two long, difficult years managing the COVID-19 pandemic, NSAC members gathered for the annual summer meeting in Durham, North Car ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1y ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
press@sustainableagriculture.net
RELEASE: NSAC Applauds USDA Announcement of $500 Million for Expanded Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity
Washington, DC, July 9, 2021 – Today the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) applauds the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of $500 million in additional funding to bolster small- and medium-scale meat processing plants, and additional actions to level the playing field for farmers and ranchers.
“National Sustainable Agri ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1y ago
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that they will invest more than $4 billion to strengthen the food system, with one of the four funding priority areas including small processing support. Over the next year, USDA will invest some of the $4 billion for existing processing facilities expansion, as well as new regional processing capacity.
The first of this funding was released last week by USDA, and includes over a $55 million investment in state inspected processors and processors currently operating under an exemption from federal inspection. The grant program ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1y ago
A hoop house with tomatoes and peppers grown in New Mexico. Photo Credit: USDA Photo by Bob Nichols.
Farmers are working to improve food safety on the farm, and prepare for Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) inspections, but this requires both assistance and resources. We are excited that the Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) applications have just opened up and will provide organizations with funding to assist and help farmers and small food businesses with both FSMA and food safety.
FSOP is a federal grants program that funds community-based organizations, non-governmental orga ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1y ago
The photo is of a tomato harvest. USDA photo by Preston Keres.
About six years ago, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) kicked off a comment campaign around the Food Safety Modernization (FSMA) regulations that could negatively impact small farms, local food systems, and sustainable agriculture. Now, a new FSMA regulation is being proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and FDA needs to hear organizations, food businesses, and farmers once again.
Background
FSMA included seven initial rules back in 2016, most of which focuses on medium and large food businesses th ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1y ago
US Capitol Building. Photo credit: Eric B. Walker.
With the country facing an imminent government shutdown, the President finally signed the $2.3 trillion Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 on December 28th. This bill includes both badly needed emergency COVID-19 relief aid as well as regular fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations. For more information on the COVID-19 relief aspects of the bill check out our other blog on the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 and for more about the process check out our previous October blog on the appropriations process.
In the following blog we wi ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
1y ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408
Comment: NSAC Responds to the Lower Food and Fuel Cost Act – H.R. 7606
Washington, DC, June 17, 2022 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Eric Deeble, NSAC Policy Director, in response to the Lower Food and Fuel Cost Act – H.R. 7606 which passed yesterday in the House.
“The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) applauds the House for taking decisive action to suppo ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
2y ago
For the past two years, the role of smaller-scale meat processors has received significant attention because of supply chain disruptions and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. While small and mid-sized meat processors are critical to building resilient regional food systems, they face limited access to capital for expansion, a complex regulatory environment, and a highly consolidated livestock sector.
Even before the pandemic, policymakers and advocates were focused on the needs of these important food system stakeholders. A section was included in the 2018 Farm Bill requesting ..read more
Food Safety – National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
2y ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408
COMMENT: NSAC Responds to the FDA’s Proposed Rule Regarding the Agricultural Water Provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act
Washington, DC, December 2, 2021 – The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Eric Deeble, NSAC Policy Director, in response to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s proposed rule published today that would revise the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce S ..read more