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Compliments Sun’s Food Action Plan article

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Sonoma Valley Sun

I am writing to commend the Sun and Fred Allebach for the recent article “Update: County’s Food Action Plan is failing to address inequality.”  Mr. Allenbach highlights the very real challenges that groups like the Food System Alliance have in moving the needle on food access in the Sonoma Valley.

Our community is facing challenges that are unparalleled in the living memory of all but the eldest among us. Income inequality is at a modern peak. Too many of our neighbors are having trouble securing the basic needs of life such as food, healthcare, and housing.

We hope that your piece, like the Food Action Plan itself, will help bring more attention to the need to build a balanced local economy that creates well-being for all of us. The good news is that there have been some real successes. The number of missing meals tracked in the Hunger Index are down. More state money is coming to make it easier for low income consumers to stretch their food dollars at farmer’s markets.

Change will take every sector of our community. There is a role for businesses to create good jobs, for consumers to support those businesses, for charitable groups to address both the causes and symptoms of poverty, and for local governments to create rules and incentives that lift up the prospects of those most at risk. There are no simple answers here. But as your article points out, there are many good questions. We applaud you for raising them and encourage all Sun reader to get involved.

Sincerely
Joseph McIntyre
President, Ag Innovations

 




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