AIM Policy Update
Below are some of the recent policies that AIM has helped to develop, pass, or support to champion a healthy, Earth-friendly, food system.
Women in Agriculture Resolution: California passed the nation's first Women in Agriculture Resolution with 70 co-sponsors, led by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry.
Senate Bill 907 (Pan) would establish a non-competitive grant program to expand access to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) services at all certified farmers markets across California. Advised sponsors on how to draft the legislation. Passed Senate Human Services Committee and will be heard in Senate Agriculture Committee.
AB 2153 (Arambula) will expand California Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits to be available to hundreds of thousands of households across the state. AIM is advocating for amendments to the bill to maintain "2 for 1" matching at farmers markets and to include operational costs for farmers markets. Passed Senate Human Services Committee and will be heard in Senate Agriculture Committee.
AB 2538 (Rivas) will develop an emergency notification system for farmworkers, other outdoor workers, and residents impacted by wildfire smoke. Passed Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and referred to Appropriations.
Food & Farm Resilience Coalition: AIM, along with 14 other organizations, co-sponsored a $423.5 million budget request for the General Fund for fiscal year (FY) 2022-2024 to support the economic viability and climate resilience of our food and farming system. California must build on last year’s historic investments in our food and farming systems while scaling up equitable solutions to the climate crisis that bring jobs to our communities, protect our essential frontline workers, and create a secure and resilient food supply.
In addition, AIM along with the NRDC, Roots of Change, and the Praxis Project, developed a $50M budget request for the General Fund for FY 2022-2023 for one-time investments in Climate-Friendly Healthy Food Access Infrastructure, a new grant program that funds infrastructure, training and workforce development to ensure communities and Tribes are able to obtain or produce healthy, nutrient-dense foods that are grown, raised, produced, or gathered with certified organic, climate-friendly, or culturally relevant practices.