Thank Local Papers for Articles on Local Economy and Food Policy

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we invite you to write to one or both of the regional papers that have recently run editorials that are supportive of Oregon Rural Action's mission.

East Oregonian on food policy

In its Sunday, November 23 issue the East Oregonian ran an editorial on "The missing ingredient in the recipe for change," which focused on food policy and the need to make agriculture a national issue worthy of the attention of our elected officials. In their editorial they quote Michael Pollan: "The era of cheap and abundant food appears to be drawing to a close." Moreover, they second his assessment about the importance of agricultural policy, stating that "it's good to start with an understanding that a nation's ability to produce food is a cornerstone of national security, right up there with a sustainable energy system and a stable economy."

Though the editorial wanders into other issues that Oregon Rural Action doesn't address, we can applaud the East Oregonian for asserting the importance of drawing an intellectual connection between farm, grocery store and plate, as well as the need for more broad public education on food and agricultural issues. 

Read the full editorial from the East Oregonian.

Oregon Rural Action has been working to promote local foods and lobby on agricultural policy for quite some time. It has done so by supporting local farmers markets and working to reinvigorate the Oregon Farmers' Market Association, creating a Food Literacy program run by volunteers in the Blue Mountain Chapter (Union County), and more recently launching a local meats campaign to help expand access to locally produced meat that due to USDA regulations currently has to travel extraordinary distances in Eastern Oregon to be processed and sold.

Please write a letter to the editor to thank the East Oregonian for writing such a prescient article and ask them to run more like it. Remember to sign your letter, include city of residence, and a daytime phone number (which will not be printed).

Send your letter to the editor to...
Use the online form.
Mail: East Oregonian, 211 SE Byers, Pendleton, OR 97801

Some talking points:

• The sustainability of Oregon local food systems depends on the relationship between the producer and the consumer, including the producer’s integrity and the consumer’s interest in and knowledge of how the food is raised, harvested, and processed.
• Community-supported agriculture, buying clubs, farmers markets and producer-consumer cooperatives can serve as models for producers interested in marketing directly to consumers.
• Raising meat, dairy, eggs, fruits, and vegetables as close as possible to the kitchens of the end-user minimizes the carbon footprint of the entire food system and increases our food security.
• Public awareness of how and where food is grown can be enhanced through food and agricultural literacy programs, such as Oregon Rural Action's Food Literacy program in Union County, its community gardens in La Grande and Ontario, and Farm to School programs in other communities in the state.

Read the full text of Oregon Rural Action's local foods resolution (pdf).

Send the East Oregonian your words of encouragement.

Observer on shopping locally

In the Monday, November 24 issue of The Observer, the editorial board wrote an appeal to buy local: "Now more than ever, shop locally." The editorial notes the dim economic times and suggests that "it doesn't have to be as gloomy as the 'experts' are predicting if we choose to do the bulk of our holiday shopping locally rather than heading out of town or shopping online." The editorial board rightly points out, "Money spent locally recirculates in the community." 

Oregon Rural Action has been calling for relocalization since its inception in 2001. It is therefore exciting to see The Observer echoing that call. We can all be thankful for their support and we heartily agree when they say, "We want our community to grow, to prosper, to get better."

Read the full editorial from The Observer. 

Please write a letter to editor to thank The Observer for writing such a timely editorial and ask them to run more like it. And let them know that they have the support of Oregon Rural Action in calling for a return to buying local. (Remember 300 words or less.)

Send your letter to the editor to...
Email: news@lagrandeobserver.com
Fax: (541) 963-7804
Mail: Observer, 1406 Fifth St, La Grande, OR 97850.

Some talking points:

• Buying from local "mom and pop" stores helps money to stay in local circulation.
• Buying from chain stores (even if they are located here) means a significant portion of that money is removed from the community and transferred to the corporate headquarters, so it is not as beneficial as buying from independent local stores
• Making holiday purchases from local stores is a double gift: the item purchased given to the recipient and the welcome business given to the local store.

Send The Observer your words of encouragement.