Big Brother

It has been a few weeks since I last posted. I was reminded today though that it is important to keep a vigilant eye on what is happening in Washington.

I was enlightened on an issue that is being put to a vote just after Thanksgiving, Bill S.510, which is marketed as a way to allow the FDA to be able to protect us from tainted food getting into the food distribution systems = FDA Food Safety Modernization Act S.510.

I looked up info on a few sites:
http://www.govtrack.us/
http://thomas.loc.gov/

There would be additional regulation put in place to control the distribution and storage of food products. The part that concerns me and many others is that there is nothing in the bill to exclude backyard gardens, small farms, that might produce for your local farmers markets. Personally I like going to the really nice local farmers market we have here in our town, and I like that if my home garden really took off with tomatoes or maybe zucchini I could give them away to my neighbors without being in violation to the FDA or the Dept of Homeland Security.

Please make your voice known to your senator as soon as you can. This Bill would definitely increase the cost to produce farm fresh products, and add more time to the process of inspection and regulation.

I do not want to have my food prices increase substantially, I am also very, very fond of my local farms and the produce that I can purchase from them. I understand the risks, but I have the opportunity to go and check out the farm and their practices. I would like to have the ability to buy locally, without big brother looking over my shoulder. I would also like to share the bounty of my home garden with my neighbors.