Resolution Number: 2015-A170
Title: Advocate for Safe Food Production and Farm Labor Policies
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention, encourages the Episcopal Public Policy Network (and related bodies in non-US countries) to continue efforts to create and modify laws and policies that support Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm this Church’s support for farm legislation, joining with our PCUSA brothers and sisters, that is focused on "renewability, sustainability, resilience, minimized carbon emissions, participatory research and decision-making, revitalized rural communities, strong local food economies, security of food supply, ethical treatment of animals, and fair and dignified treatment of persons working throughout the food chain" (Journal of the 2012 General Assembly, PCUSA, Item 11-03.2); and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws that protect the health and safety of workers throughout the food system, that support the workers’ rights to organize, and that support a living wage for food workers throughout the system, from farm to table; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws designed to protect our Earth’s natural environment and to protect humanity’s ability to produce food for generations to come, including restrictions on pesticide overuse, harmful industrial farming practices (e.g., overcrowding of livestock and mono-cropping), and carbon, methane, and nitrogen pollution throughout the food system that threaten animal and human health, damage the soil, and threaten the climate for future generations; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies, laws, and programs designed to increase access to healthy food for all people, including support and development for farmers’ markets, policies permitting use of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers’ markets, and the development of policies and agreements that encourage the siting of full-service grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm support for full and adequate funding for public food programs for the poor and vulnerable, such as the National School Lunch Program, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, SNAP, senior center feeding programs, and summer feeding programs for children.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 879.

Legislative History

Author: Legislative Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #11 on Resolution A170 (Develop and Continue Food System Advocacy) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A170)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention, encourages the Episcopal Public Policy Network (and related bodies in non-US countries) to continue efforts to create and modify laws and policies that support Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm this Church’s support for farm legislation, joining with our PCUSA brothers and sisters, that is focused on "renewability, sustainability, resilience, minimized carbon emissions, participatory research and decision-making, revitalized rural communities, strong local food economies, security of food supply, ethical treatment of animals, and fair and dignified treatment of persons working throughout the food chain" (Journal of the 2012 General Assembly, PCUSA, Item 11-03.2. https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/journal2012.pdf); and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws that protect the health and safety of workers throughout the food system, that support the workers’ rights to organize, and that support a living wage for food workers throughout the system, from farm to table; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws designed to protect our Earth’s natural environment and to protect humanity’s ability to produce food for generations to come, including restrictions on pesticide overuse, harmful industrial farming practices (e.g., overcrowding of livestock and mono-cropping), and carbon and methane emissions throughout the food system that threaten animal and human health, damage the soil, and threaten the climate for future generations; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies, laws, and programs designed to increase access to healthy food for all people, including support and development for farmers’ markets, policies permitting use of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers’ markets, and the development of policies and agreements that encourage the siting of full-service grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm support for full and adequate funding for public food programs for the poor and vulnerable, such as the National School Lunch Program, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, SNAP, senior center feeding programs, and summer feeding programs for children.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention, encourages the Episcopal Public Policy Network (and related bodies in non-US countries) to continue efforts to create and modify laws and policies that support Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm this Church’s support for farm legislation, joining with our PCUSA brothers and sisters, that is focused on "renewability, sustainability, resilience, minimized carbon emissions, participatory research and decision-making, revitalized rural communities, strong local food economies, security of food supply, ethical treatment of animals, and fair and dignified treatment of persons working throughout the food chain" (Journal of the 2012 General Assembly, PCUSA, Item 11-03.2.https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/journal2012.pdf); and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws that protect the health and safety of workers throughout the food system, that support the workers’ rights to organize, and that support a living wage for food workers throughout the system, from farm to table; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies and laws designed to protect our Earth’s natural environment and to protect humanity’s ability to produce food for generations to come, including restrictions on pesticide overuse, harmful industrial farming practices (e.g., overcrowding of livestock and mono-cropping), and carbon and methane emissionscarbon, methane, and nitrogen pollution throughout the food system that threaten animal and human health, damage the soil, and threaten the climate for future generations; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention support public policies, laws, and programs designed to increase access to healthy food for all people, including support and development for farmers’ markets, policies permitting use of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at farmers’ markets, and the development of policies and agreements that encourage the siting of full-service grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention reaffirm support for full and adequate funding for public food programs for the poor and vulnerable, such as the National School Lunch Program, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, SNAP, senior center feeding programs, and summer feeding programs for children.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #84)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #2 on HB Message #84 on Resolution A170 (Develop and Continue Food System Advocacy) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #297)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 2.

Abstract:   The 78th General Convention supports public policies that promote sustainable farms and land use, safe and healthy food cultivation, production and distribution, the labor rights and safety of farm workers, and public food programs for the poor.