IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION supporting the inclusion of the Puerto Rico Food Sovereignty Program in the Congressional farm bill.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21628, May 20, 2024
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the United States of America, as a nation, should be committed to the welfare, prosperity, and resilience of all its territories, including Puerto Rico; and,
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico currently imports approximately 85% of its food, leaving it vulnerable to global market fluctuations and potential supply chain disruptions; and,
WHEREAS, strengthening Puerto Rico's local agricultural sector by reprogramming United States Department of Agriculture funds toward purchasing locally grown items will significantly enhance food sovereignty and resilience on the island; and,
WHEREAS, supporting local agriculture in Puerto Rico has the potential to stimulate economic growth, creating jobs and encouraging entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector; and,
WHEREAS, the initiative will promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation, thereby contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts; and,
WHEREAS, food sovereignty can bolster Puerto Rico's ability to recover from natural disasters, reducing the reliance on federal aid and demonstrating a model for resilience that could be replicated across the country; and,
WHEREAS, encouraging the production and consumption of locally grown produce can foster the preservation of Puerto Rico's rich culinary traditions, promote healthier eating habits, and enrich our national cultural heritage; and,
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico does not participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and is provided a limited block grant called Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP, or PAN in Spanish); now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson Coun...
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