Rep. Gabbard Recognized as a Top National Food Policy Advocate

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was recently recognized by the Food Policy Action as a top advocate for improving the nation’s food system .

The release of their 2017 National Food Policy Scorecard recognized the congresswoman’s advocacy to raise the minimum wage, uphold the Clean Water Act, secure paid sick days for working families, protect against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as to support food safety, food access, farm subsidies, animal welfare, food and farm labor, nutrition, food additives, food transparency, local and regional food production, organic farming and more.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard recently addressed the 2017 Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United (HFUU) Convention and discussed opportunities for Hawaiʻi in the upcoming 2018 Farm Bill. Courtesy Photo

“Food security is a critical issue for the American people, and especially the people of Hawaiʻi, and I’m humbled to be recognized as an advocate for them and their families,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “Good food policy impacts so many aspects of our daily lives, from public health, to clean air and water, to livable wages and workplace protections for American families. Hawaiʻi can serve as a shining example for the country with strong food policy. We must continue the progress we’ve made to strengthen our food security, increase sustainable, traditional and organic farming practices, and empower our local farmers and communities through locally grown agriculture.”

Rep. Gabbard has been a strong advocate for food and production safety and transparency in Hawaiʻi and nationwide. She has introduced the Macadamia Tree Health Initiative as well as the Areawide Integrated Pest Management Act to protect local agriculture and help local farmers fight back against invasive species like the coconut rhinoceros beetle, coffee berry borer, the fungus that causes Rapid Ohia Death and fruit flies.

In the 114th Congress, she helped lead Congressional opposition to legislation like the DARK Act and other misleading bills that compromise food transparency. She is continuing to work to pass legislation like the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act to empower consumers to make informed choices about their food, legislation like H.R.1587 to stop the overuse of antibiotics on livestock, along with H.R.113, the Safeguard American Food Exports Act.