The first in the country and comprised of members in the Texas House of Representatives, the Caucus focuses on issues relating to the production and consumption of Texas-made food and beverage products. Texas House Farm-to-Table Caucus:
The Texas House Farm-to-Table Caucus is a bipartisan legislative caucus that was formed in 2012 to promote the production and consumption of Texas-made food and b
everage products. The Farm-to-Table Caucus is the first of its kind in the nation, and has received attention from local, state and national media outlets including the New York Times. The Caucus focuses on issues including grocery access, agricultural valuation, childhood obesity, hunger, regulation of home-based food businesses, permitting, mobile processing units, subsidies for fresh foods in markets, and farmers markets. Over the years, the Caucus has also recognized the many independent breweries, distilleries and wineries in Texas as important stakeholders, and will be working with them in the 85th Legislative Session. It is time that we harness the energy of the local food/beverage movement and break down the legal barriers that stand in the way of our farmers feeding their communities or Texas entrepreneurs competing in their local markets. These measures will spur local economic growth and help to combat high rates of nutrition-related disease and other issues that are correlated with diets heavy in cheap, processed foods. We hope that you will join us in these efforts. Born of Need:
The term “local food” is a common phrase that may encompass anything from sustainable, organic and natural goods cultivated in Texas to more specific geographic designations. These designations are invariably vague and often more dependent on marketing prowess than any discernible metrics. The Farm-to-Table Caucus provides information to Texas Legislators meant to cut through the loaded terminology and give real understanding to the intent and necessity of specific legislation as it relates to the issues above. Though Texas was historically an agricultural state, the last 30 years of urbanization have largely resulted in a decimation of family farms. Cheap processed foods have caused a cultural separation in the minds of consumers between them and the source of the food they eat. This has resulted in a society more prone to obesity and nutritional deficiencies. With this comes higher rates of disease and thus a whole host of socio-economic issues. The recent trend of urban farms, farmers’ markets and restaurants catering to those seeking fresher, healthier and local foods have enabled a re-sprouting of family farms both inside and outside of our major urban areas, the likes of which have not been seen since victory gardens became commonplace during WWII. This diversification of food sources spurred the need to take a fresh look at the laws and regulations governing production, distribution and consumption within Texas. Many times the question these small businesses are asking isn’t: “What can the state do for me?”
Rather, they ask themselves, “Why is the state standing in the way of me feeding my neighbors?” From farm to table, this Caucus will take a closer look at these and other questions as they surface in front of the Texas Legislature. Membership:
Membership is open to all members of the Texas House of Representatives. Adv., Texas House Farm-to-Table Caucus, 1108 Lavaca St #110, Box 189, Austin, TX 78701.
