Network Opposes Initiative 1033

Initiative 1033 IS BAD FOR FARMERS

Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network

OPPOSES I-1033

(MOUNT VERNON, WA)— In a unanimous decision, the board of directors of The Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network voted to oppose Initiative 1033. 1033 is a revenue capping initiative that will be on the Washington ballot this November. If passed, it will cap government’s ability to generate revenue to our current 2009 levels, adjusted for annual inflation and population growth. The Office of Financial Management recently released a study showing that I-1033 will reduce revenues for education, health care, and other services by $5.9 billion over the next five years. If 1033 passes, public investments in local agriculture will be hurt.

“We lose 70,000 acres of farmland every year in Washington State. We cannot afford to lose the land and people that feed us,” says Ellen Gray, Executive Director of The Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network.

The following programs that help our kids and our farmers would be at risk if I-1033 passes:

• The WA-Grown Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Grants to low income schools enabling schools to purchase fresh, Washington grown fruits and vegetables directly from our farmers

• The Farmer Market Nutrition programs that allows low income families and seniors to purchase healthy fresh food at Farmers Markets

• The Farm to School program at Washington State Department of Agriculture

• The organic and sustainable research program at WSU

“I operate a small farm and sell directly to consumers at Farmer Markets every week.  If  I-1033 passes, fewer food stamps will be available to be spent at Farmer Markets.  Fewer customers at my stand means less income for my farm.” states Steve Hallstrom, owner and operator of Let Us Farm in Oakville WA. “Times are tough enough already – 1033 just makes things worse.”

“If we want a more sustainable food and farming system we need to be able to feed ourselves. We need to help schools rebuild their ability to handle local, fresh produce,” states Alm Hill Gardens Farm Owner Gretchen Hoyt. “With childhood obesity at epidemic levels, we need to invest in our children’s health. I-1033 will limit our ability to help schools serve fresh, unprocessed local food to our children.”