[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORT FOR THE URBAN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION ACT

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                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly submit the Urban 
Agriculture Production Act.
  Across America, too many of our urban neighborhoods are absent stores 
where community members can purchase fresh, healthy foods. There are 
more than 23 million individuals residing in these so called ``food 
desert'' neighborhoods, where there are no stores within one mile in 
which they can buy healthy food.
  Without healthy options, people are forced to eat unhealthy, 
processed, junk food, because that is all that is available and 
affordable. The Urban Agriculture Production Act is a step to correct 
this unacceptable trend.
  I am pleased to recognize and support the growing resurgence of 
locally grown and produced product. I see it in my own community at the 
Sustainable Local Foods and Frederick Douglass Center Association 
Community Garden, of Toledo, Ohio.
  Individuals, non-profits, and co-ops are stepping up and taking 
action to address the challenge of access to healthy food, by 
developing local food sources and community gardens to provide fresh, 
affordable produce throughout underserved communities. Not only are 
they growing product to provide to communities though, they are 
engaging and encouraging community participation all throughout the 
process. They are teaching community members how to farm.
  As the ancient proverb says, ``give a man a fish and you feed him for 
a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.'' And so 
goes my bill, the Urban Agriculture Production Act.
  The measure will encourage economic development in underserved 
communities by furthering the mission of local farming. It provides 
programmatic funds to educate people on health and wellness, supports 
marketing and development networks, and will inspire communities to 
create self sufficient food production systems to stimulate community 
development and healthy eating options.
  All throughout our urban communities there are an abundance of unused 
land and space that are conveniently located to neighborhoods that are 
ripe for agriculture development. We must support and encourage the 
means to development these plots so they become local sources of 
wholesome food options.
  Communities that lack access to fresh produce are facing growing 
epidemics of obesity related diseases. We must get serious about the 
increased incidents of preventable disease in these communities. 
Prevention is paramount, and encouraging a balanced diet while also 
providing access to healthier foods is an obvious solution.
  Farmer's Markets, greenhouses and other community agriculture 
initiatives can help diversify American food production so we rely less 
on imports and create American jobs that cannot be outsourced. My bill 
will spur the development and expansion of community agriculture in 
nontraditional agricultural production areas across this great nation.
  Mr. Speaker, urban farming and food production is a viable solution 
to support healthier dietary options and improve overall health of 
urban communities. The Urban Agriculture Production Act is the 
appropriate means to further develop alternative, urban agricultural 
production and to help meet all communities' food production needs of 
the future.

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