Food fascinates me. On a personal level, I love to feed people—sharing food is one of many ways we build community and nourish one another. On a policy level, food system work is crucial to building a more just and inclusive Maryland. I believe the current U.S. Food System is extractive, exploitative, and unhealthy—and it doesn’t have to be that way! I am working with grassroots groups, farmers, food producers, colleagues, nonprofits, and state agencies to change all of that.
Focus: Food Systems
We urgently need to make changes so our food supply is healthier for our bodies, fairer to farm workers, better for local economies, ready to respond to supply chain disruptions, and more sustainable and restorative for our planet.
While much of the work of changing our food system must happen at the federal level (I’m following the reauthorization of the Farm Bill closely), there are many ways we can make important changes at the state and local levels.
My Food Systems Record:
I have been working on food issues long before I was elected to the state legislature. I was on the Board of the TPSS Food Coop for 3 years and Crossroads Community Food Network for 6 years. I helped establish the TPSS Community Kitchen, which provides affordable commercial kitchen space to local entrepreneurs starting small food-based businesses.
Legislatively, I have authored and ensured passage of:
Farm to Food Security Act: increased funding for Maryland Market Money, which doubles the value of federal nutrition benefits spent at farmers markets; created a Farm to School grant program to increase school purchases of locally grown and produced food; and supports Maryland-based procurement, harvesting, contracting, distribution, or processing for hunger relief efforts.
Certified Local Farms and Fish Program: Requires state institutions to work toward purchasing 20% of their food from certified local farmers and seafood dealers or request a waiver. It also created funding for the infrastructure needed to aggregate produce from multiple smaller farmers.
Maryland Food System Resiliency Council: Created in 2021, this Council spearheads multi-agency collaborative efforts to address food insecurity and food resilience issues statewide.
Organic Waste Ban: Certain large-scale food waste generators are now required to send food waste to compost facilities. It also allows food donation to count as a waste reduction strategy.
Grants for School-Based Food Waste Diversion This bill created a competitive grant program to support school-based initiatives to prevent, reduce, and compost food waste.
Local Farm and Chesapeake Invasive Species Provider Program: Allows blue catfish and other (delicious and nutritious!) invasive species caught in the Chesapeake Bay to count towards the goal of Maryland-run institutions procuring 20% of their food from local farms and fisheries.
Heat and Eat: Maryland now participates in this federal program to allow families receiving energy assistance to increase their S.N.A.P. (food stamp) benefits.
Complete Streets Have Healthy Food: added access to retail stores with healthy food, especially in food deserts, as part of what defines a “Complete Street.”
Cottage Foods: allowed cottage foods (typically made in peoples’ homes) to be sold in certain retail stores, expanding opportunities for many small businesses.
Food Resources:
If you or someone you know is food insecure, help is available.
The Montgomery County Food Council has created an excellent “Food Assistance Resource Map” with details of local food distribution sites (including East County Hub, Rainbow CDC, Silver Spring Food Hub at Clifton Park Baptist Church, Small Things Matter, Tommy’s Pantry, St. Camillus Food Pantry, and more).
We are also blessed with terrific Farmers’ Markets! Many of which accept and even increase S.N.A.P. benefits, including Crossroads Community Food Network’s wonderful Wednesday market at University Ave. and Anne Street in Langley Park.
I’m also a big fan of Montgomery County’s Senior Lunch sites and our local Meals on Wheels programs.
Power in the Park: May 30th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Come and learn about clean energy, utility bill assistance, saving energy, and healthy housing. Free food! Giveaways! Face Painting! Join us at the New Hampshire Estates Neighborhood Park at 8825 Piney Branch Road.
‘Hope to See You Next Monday at My Fundraiser!
Please join me in kicking off the summer next Monday, June 3rd. We will gather on the patio at Mi Rancho in downtown Silver Spring from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones will be my special guest. Get full details and R.S.V.P. here.
GOTO to GOTV: June 8, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This November, with races for the House, Senate, and Presidency precariously close, every Democratic vote matters. Learn how to GET OUT THE VOTE in Maryland and across the country. Full details at tinyurl.com/June8GOTO.
Stay in Touch: Need help with a state issue? Please contact my office at lorig.charkoudian@house.state.md.us or leave us a message at (410)-841-3423.
Onward,
Lorig
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