Policy Initiatives
During the 2005-06 State Legislative Session, CitySeed advocated for the passage of Bill 294, An Act Concerning Farmers' Markets which was designed to:
1. expand the definition of farmers' markets in the state statutes to recognize the variety of CT grown and produced farm products beyond fruits and vegetables to include: meat, dairy, shellfish, baked goods, etc. In other words, this bill codifies a definition of farmers' markets that more accurately describes the variety of farm products currently sold at farmers' markets across the state as a way to support these markets and the community good they serve.
2. define a farmers' market as an extension of the farm. This allows people who face transportation obstacles and live in a city with farmers' markets to buy the same farm products they could buy if they had a car and could drive to a farm in a nearby town.
CitySeed is thrilled to report that Bill 294 passed both the Senate and the House unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Jodi Rell on May 8, 2006. For the final text of Public Act No. 06-52, please click here.
In 2007, CitySeed advocated to fully fund the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. Presently, only 18,000 out of the 54,000 eligible, nutritionally at-risk seniors receive these benefits. We plan to continue with this advocacy effort in 2008.
