1. Food & Farm Policy in the Trump Era
Wisconsin Local Food Network Annual Summit

2. Together, We Are Feeding Wisconsin
4.5M 1
State and federal policy and advocacy, coordinated statewide research, programs, partnerships, food and fund development, and communications.
STATE OFFICE 6
Large scale food sourcing, warehousing, distribution, fundraising, communications, regional programs and partnerships, and technical assistance
Visits in Wisconsin
ANNUALLY
REGIONAL FOOD BANKS 1K
Direct client distribution, local food and fund development, program, partnerships, and awareness raising
572,600 CLIENTS
LOCAL FOOD PROGRAMS
42M
MEALS PROVIDED TO NEARLY 600,000 WISCONSINITES ANNUALLY IN ALL 72 COUNTIES
173,500 CHILDREN
68,000 SENIORS

3. “The future is dark, which is the best thing the future can be, I think…” —Virginia Woolf

4. This is what we know Commodity prices continue to be low
Farm incomes at the lowest point in a decade
Growing frustrations about environmental regulations
Rural counties played a large role in the recent election

5. Urban-Rural Split 2016 Presidential Vote

6. Political Dynamics Congress wants to control spending
Trump wants to spend big, especially on infrastructure
Trump will also be under pressure to deliver for rural stakeholders

7. What’s at stake Biofuels Food safety Labeling Minimum wage Immigration
Water
Nutrition programs

8. Farm Bill Commodities Crop Insurance Conservation Nutrition
Logrolling – needed urban buy in to fund rural programs.
$120 billion/ year or about 4% of budget

9. Farm Bill Spending

10. “Flexibility” is the new “cut”
Block grants
Eligibility restrictions
Participation barriers
Reduction in program outreach
Ultimate flexibility play: split the nutrition title out of the Farm Bill

11. Can charity fill the gap?
All of charitable food assistance in the U.S. = $5 billion
SNAP (food stamps) = $70 billion
SNAP is 15x the size of all charitable food!
In WI, $75 M vs. $1 B

12. Our priorities
Keep federal nutrition programs intact with no structural changes
Strengthen federal oversight and accountability of nutrition programs
Make incremental improvements to increase the environmental efficiency of national and local food systems where possible

13. Important Dates Lobby Day in DC: March 7
Hunger and Health Summit: Wisconsin Rapids, May 9 and 10

14. David Lee dalee@FeedingWI.org
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David Lee