Colorado residents who value agriculture within the state and who cherish local foods movement have an opportunity to act now in support of local farms and increased visibility for Colorado farmers markets.  The Local Foods, Local Markets bill introduced by Colorado senator Gail Schwartz, will be voted on today and your immediate action is needed.

As a farmers market manager, I understand the unique challenges faced by producers within Colorado.  Relegated to a short growing season, the earning power of local farms is limited.  The production of value-added products like jams, jellies and breads by growers within Colorado is strictly limited as is the selling of even a single egg off the farm.  Currently, all foods sold for public consumption within Colorado must be produced in a commercial kitchen; yet, restrictions on how commercial kitchens may be licensed means that, except in rare circumstances, Colorado growers cannot produce farm fresh value-added products on the farm and must pay to rent a commercial kitchen outside of their homes – a costly endeavor both in rental fees and in the time they must take away from the farm.  Similarly, current egg laws within Colorado require that any person selling even a single egg at a location other than his or her farm such as a farmers market must be inspected and licensed by the State of Colorado; unfortunately, the State of Colorado made inadequate provisions for licensing small producers who now face the very real challenge of selling their eggs without a license or giving up small-flock egg production altogether.

The Local Foods, Local Markets bill will increase consumer access to local, value-added goods, boost local economies, increase the physical health of the people of Colorado through wholesome real food while bringing communities together.  The bill achieves these goals by directing local boards of health to register growers preparing value-added goods in home kitchens.  This is limited to specific, low-risk foods they may sell at farmers markets.  This bill also encourages the study of the benefits of local fresh foods to the state through the Colorado Proud label promoting “fresh and local” products, andl further promotes agritourism with policies for improved signage for fresh and local foods. Moreover it would provide increased support for small egg producers.  You can view the full text of the bill here.

Other states across the country have passed similar bills supporting the economic earning power of local growers by providing provisions for cottage-industry kitchens, on-farm production of value-added foods and increased awareness of local foods and local markets.  Colorado needs to pass this bill, but you must act immediately as the bill is being voted on today, Monday, May 2.

Action Steps

Below we’ve outlined immediate action steps for both Colorado residents and for non-residents who support the local foods movement.

For Colorado Residents

If you are a Colorado resident, take the following actions:

1. Contact your legislator immediately and ask them to support the Local Foods, Local Farms bill introduced by Senator Gail Schwartz.  Contact information for your legislator may be found here and, due to the immediacy of the action needed, you need to contact them by both phone and email.
2. Email this post to your friends, coworkers and colleagues who support local foods within Colorado and ask them to follow the same action steps by immediately contacting their legislators.
3. Share this post on facebook, twitter and through other means of social media so that greater awareness of the immediate need for support can be shared.
4. Have a blog? You are free to copy, paste and adjust this post and repost it to your blog, but remember you must do so immediately for the bill is being voted on Today, May 2nd.

Note sure what to write?  Try copying and pasting the message below:

My name is ______ and I am from ______.  I am calling to support the ‘Local Foods, Local Jobs’ Act (SB11-258) that will be coming up for a vote shortly.

This bill will:

• Support entrepreneurs and encourage job growth
• Allow consumers the freedom to purchase products made with quality ingredients grown by local farmers
• Promote Colorado agritourism
• Allow local growers to be more profitable by utilizing surplus production

Please support for this bill when it comes up for your vote.

For non-Colorado Residents

If you are not a resident of Colorado, take the following actions:

1. Email this post to your friends, coworkers and colleagues who live within Colorado and who support local foods within Colorado and ask them to follow the same action steps by immediately contacting their legislators.
2. Share this post on facebook, twitter and through other means of social media so that greater awareness of the immediate need for support can be shared.
3. Have a blog? You are free to copy, paste and adjust this post and repost it to your blog, but remember you must do so immediately for the bill is being voted on Today, May 2nd.

Our timeline is terribly short, but your immediate help could make a big difference for the local foods movement within Colorado.  Please show your support and act now.