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The Issue

What's at Risk

What You Can Do

Leafy Green Marketing Agreement

HOUSE FARM BILL PROVISION THREATENS DIVERSE FAMILY FARMS

CAFF is opposed to the Specialty Crop Marketing Order provision in the House version of the Farm Bill (HR 2419.EH § 10106). If enacted, the provision would allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) to invoke mandatory rules to regulate food safety for all specialty crops in the nation, including fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops.

Marketing agreements and orders impose crop-by-crop rules on famrs which do not work well for diversified farms. The rules that they enforce do not consider impacts upon the environment, consumers, small-scale or diverse farm. The result could weaken consumer food safety proctection, harm farmily farm profitability, set back sustainable and organic farming, and wreak havoc on the environment.

CAFF co-wrote and circulated a letter opposed to the use of the Marketing Act to regulate all Specialty Crops in the House Farm Bill. This letter was signed by 40 prominent national and California organizations and businesses. There is still a threat that this provision could be in the final Farm Bill. We are working with our partners in Washington D.C. to prevent this. To see the letter, click here.

To see our recent press release, click here!

USDA Considering Leafy Greens Rules!

The USDA is currently deciding if it should enact a Federal Marketing Agreement for leafy greens. There is a possibility that it may try to invoke a mandatory Marketing Order. The public comment period closed on December 3.

CAFF is opposed to this proposed approach to food safety where an industry board could dictate farming practices without input from farmers. Rules following this model would devastate traditional leafy green farmers nationwide for an industry problem that they did not create.

See CAFF’s Executive Summary for our Food Safety Policy Guide. For the full guide, Click here!

See CAFF's comments to the USDA!

Learn more about the issue and see CAFF's position in our FAQ Information sheet!

Click here to see the USDA Federal Registrar notice.

See CAFF's letter to Senator Dianne Feinstein about her Leafy Green Amendment for the Farm Bill. CAFF supports Senator Feinstein's decision to not offer this amendment! We are watching for other legislation that could hurt local leafy greens and the local food system.

What You Can Do

Demand to keep your access to traditional, fresh leafy greens from local California growers by signing this letter!
See our food safety and local food and FAQ Information sheets!
Donate to our Leafy Greens Campaign. Your special gift is urgently needed.
Make sure to get on our email list if you'd like to receive updates on this issue!