Dear Editor:
Please urge Honorable President George W. Bush to stop the proposed budget cuts for the 2002 fiscal year to the above-referenced programs. His present proposals to cut the WIC and FMNP for Seniors by 48 percent and 33 percent respectively, would be devastating for the following key reasons.
First, the WIC and FMNP programs are critical for fellow citizens who without their vouchers would most likely go hungry and their dependents too. Second, the WIC and FMNP Seniors constituents are key supporters through the use of their vouchers of the community farmers’ markets; mainly comprised of small family farmers who need all of the financial support they can get in order to remain economically viable. Third, the proposed cuts to the WIC and FMNP Seniors programs will certainly hurt the ongoing economic viability of the farmers’ markets and more than likely result in the elimination of community-based farmers’ markets which will affect all people. Fourth, the WIC vouchers are key part of the USDA Five-A-Day Program. If the WIC and FMNP recipients do not receive their vouchers, they will most likely consume other foodstuffs that will further contribute to the disturbing trend of deteriorating health statistics.
Community farmers’ markets are a key source of secure food for the entire community. In addition, farmers’ markets are a key source of support for the small family farmer, who might not otherwise be able to sell retail direct — especially to the undeserved members of our urban communities as here in Hudson County for example. For many communities, farmers’ markets are also a source of community and economic vitality and renewal for the business districts in which they are often located. Finally, the continued economic viability of the small family farm will help to ensure that preservation of open space as farm land and maintain the legacy of the small family farm, a significant part of our nation’s proud heritage.
Please direct contact to: Honorable USDA Secretary Ann Veneman, USDA 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250. E-mail: agsec@usda.gov. Phone, 202-720-3631; Fax, 202-720-2166. Alan Singer