File #: Res 0975-2005    Version: * Name: US Congress to oppose the proposal of President George W. Bush to cut funding for the federal Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 5/25/2005
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the United States Congress to oppose the proposal of President George W. Bush to cut funding for the federal Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
Sponsors: Letitia James, Charles Barron, Gale A. Brewer, Yvette D. Clarke, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., James F. Gennaro, Alan J. Gerson, Robert Jackson, G. Oliver Koppell, Michael C. Nelson, Annabel Palma, James Sanders, Jr., Larry B. Seabrook
Council Member Sponsors: 13

Res. No. 975

 

Resolution calling on the United States Congress to oppose the proposal of President George W. Bush to cut funding for the federal Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

 

By Council Members James, Barron, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, Gennaro, Gerson, Jackson, Koppell, Nelson, Palma, Sanders Jr. and Seabrook

 

Whereas, The federal Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)- commonly known as the WIC Farmers’ Market Program - provides an important source of income to small farmers struggling to stay on their family’s land, as well as fruit and vegetables to low-income women who are pregnant or have small children; and

Whereas, At a time of both increasing obesity and soaring hunger, it is more important than ever to support programs, such as FMNP, that effectively fight obesity and hunger, while also helping farmers to stay in business; and

Whereas, The New York City Youth Health Coalition reports that obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death; and

Whereas, According to 2002 conference hosted by the University of Chicago, there is growing public health concern with respect to the relationship between obesity and poverty, and a DOHMH report on Health Disparities found that low-income New Yorkers are more likely to be obese compared to New Yorkers with greater income levels; and

Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that risk for obesity can be decreased by eating healthy and increasing physical activity; and

Whereas, Furthermore, according to testimony presented by Joel Berg, Executive Director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger at a May 16, 2005 New York State Assembly Hearing, 1.7 million New Yorkers live below the federal poverty line, and more than one million are forced to utilize charitable pantries and kitchens; and

Whereas, The 2004 New York City Coalition Against Hunger survey of hunger in New York City found that the number of people fed at the City’s pantries and kitchens rose by 48% from 2000 - 2003, and that number rose an additional 9% from 2003 - 2004; and

Whereas, FMNP is particularly important to New York City, given the large numbers of low-income New Yorkers who redeem coupons from this program at local farmers’ markets which, according to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) website, amounted to over 288,000 WIC households in 2002; and

Whereas, FMNP also creates jobs in New York City at local farmers’ markets and, according to the DOH website, 882 farmers participated in FMNP in 2002; and

Whereas, President George W. Bush has proposed an $8 million (29%) cut in federal funding for FMNP for next fiscal year; and

Whereas, Such cuts would reduce the amount of food available to low-income families and eliminate jobs at small businesses; now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Congress to oppose the proposal of President George W. Bush to cut funding for the federal Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.

DP

LS# 3012

5/20/05