A Great Day for Food Safety and Small Farms

Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms in Swope, Virginia

The Senate passed the Food Safety Bill, y'all! That means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will actually have to inspect food production facilities and assure that salmonella and e. coli-contaminated peanut butter, eggs and spinach don't reach your table.  The bill also includes an amendment from our own Senator Jon Tester that exempts small farms from some of the most burdensome regulations, which were put in place to address the far greater risk of contamination in large-scale factory farms and facilities.  That's a huge victory for the small farmers you've gotten to know on a personal basis at the farmer's market or through your local grocery store that orders directly from area growers. 

Given the short amount of time before this Congress comes to a close, the bill could still die before the House and Senate versions are reconciled.  Contact your House members and let them know how important it is to get this bill signed and adopted before the lame-duck session is over!