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Tell the FDA to Stop
Antibiotic Overuse in Livestock
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Antibiotic overuse in factory farm animals is considered a major source of antibiotic resistant superbugs, and increasingly these pathogens are finding their way into humans. In livestock, antibiotic additives are used primarily for growth promotion and to ensure animals remain healthy in crowded, unsanitary conditions.
 Nearly 80% of all antibiotics used in the US treat livestock. Public health organizations around the country are concerned by the unmediated use of antibiotics and the potentially devastating effect it could have on antibiotic effectiveness in humans. With strong backlash from consumers and organizations tasked with protecting human health and the environment, this situation is beginning to change.
The FDA has recently released voluntary guidelines that encourage farmers to limit antibiotic use in livestock. But unfortunately, these guidelines don't go far enough. In order to ensure that antibiotics continue to work for common human ailments, the FDA must act decisively.
Considering that the need for antibiotic additives in feed could be ameliorated by common sense measures - like maintaing clean enclosures and increasing space per animal - there is no reason the FDA should hesitate on imposing stronger restrictions on antibiotic use in feed animals.
A national coalition of organizations and its members have called on the FDA to make their voluntary guidelines stronger, and we need your help! FamilyFarmed.org is a proud supporter of these national efforts. If you'd like to join the movement, visit the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming to learn more. Once there, you can take action and tell the FDA what you think!
Check out Food Inc. Director Robert Kenner's new video "Meat Without Drugs, Stop the Superbugs" about the importance of stopping antibiotic overuse.
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Local Food Community
Demands Congress to Support
Healthy Food in 2012 Farm Bill
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On June 4, 2012 the Environmental Working Group (EWG) submitted an open letter to every member of Congress asking them to support healthy food in the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization.
The Farm Bill is a complex piece of legislation that includes funding for a variety of programs that support agriculture in the US. Some of these programs work to support farmers through crop subsidies, conserve land unsuitable for agriculture, and help feed struggling families through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
Unfortunately, there are a lot of issues with these seemingly beneficial programs. Current crop subsidies disproportionately support wealthy farmers that don't have the same risks as small, family farmers. Conservation programs are weak and many farmers disregard them due to the high payouts of crop failure insurance. Additionally, the majority of subsidies flow to commodity crop farmers, whereas produce farmers have little support.
Nationally, the US doesn't even grow enough produce to feed everyone the recommended levels of fruits and vegetables. With little federal support, produce is also more expensive. All of these factors contribute to a harrowing state of affairs, but the EWG is working to change this.
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Gourmet Gorilla Participates in 10,000 Small Businesses Program
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 Danielle Hrzic of Gourmet Gorilla completed the 10,000 Small Businesses program, which offers high level expertise and business planning education to small business owners. Sponsored by Goldman Sachs and co-chaired by Warren Buffet, the program gives businesses an excellent opportunity to grow while avoiding many common pitfalls.
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USDA Offers Loans to Veteran Farmers
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As more veterans return home from war, the pressure to ensure equitable and successful transition to civilian life increases. Since 2008, The Farmer Veteran Coalition has been supporting veterans that wish to start careers in agriculture, but up until now little help has been forthcoming from federal agencies.
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| Good Food Festival Advisory Committees |
While the summer season has just begun, it won't be long before school starts again and Fall is upon us.
The behind the scenes work for the 2013 Chicago Good Food Festival has already begun, and we're seeking community leaders, food advocates, and food lovers of all sorts to participate in one of the Good Food Festival & Conference Advisory Committees.
Participants in the committees directly influence all aspects of the event from programming to marketing to community outreach. Strong advisory committees produce successful events, and we want your help!
The committees are:
Financing
Trade
School Food
Policy
Localicious
Saturday Festival
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| Local Food Job Opportunities |
Common Ground Coop
Dill Pickle Food Coop
The Dill Pickle Food Co-op, Chicago's only food cooperative, seeks an experienced General Manager with a commitment to bringing local, sustainable and organic food to Logan Square. Position is in Chicago, IL. Click here for more information.
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange has an exciting opportunity for an eager, creative and energetic Digital Communications Specialist to join our Marketing Department. This position is responsible for promoting SSE's non-profit mission by increasing user engagement, memberships and donations; by increasing profitability of commercial sales; and by increasing the awareness of our preservation efforts and public programs. Position is in Decorah, Iowa. Click here to download the announcement.
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| Support Our Good Food Festival Exhibitors |
Join Molly and John Breslin for a farm tour of Breslin Farms. They'll discuss their efforts to transition their land from conventional production to sustainable organic.
You'll get a firsthand look at sustainable farming techniques, equipment, and their fields of heirloom wheat, heirloom dry beans, soybeans, field corn, and sweet corn
Breslin Farm Tour
June 25, 2-4pm
RSVP by June 22
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