Meyer Voices Support of CT Grown Foods

On Wednesday, May 1, Senator Ed Meyer led the passage of SB 804, a bill that will give preference to local agriculture when purchasing produce, according to the press release. Now that this bill has successfully passed in the Senate, it awaits a vote in the House of Representatives.

The press release stated: 

When the State buys many food products, it gives preference to those grown in Connecticut as long as they are comparably priced to those from out of state. This bill will add Connecticut Grown beef, pork, fish, and lamb to that list of preferred products. Passage of this bill means more of Connecticut’s state food expenditures go toward supporting local agriculture and growing our economy. 

“I am proud to introduce and cast my vote for this bill that will expand the successful Connecticut Grown brand,” said Senator Meyer, in the press release. “Our primary goal in the General Assembly is to strengthen Connecticut’s economy and promote our local businesses. This bill accomplishes that goal with no additional cost at all to the state.” 

According to the release, CT's beef, pork, fish, and lamb industries have seen significant growth in the past several years, as has consumer interest in Connecticut Grown products. This bill hopes to generate new business for CT's meat producers and also hopes to fule economic growth. 

The press release states that purchasing locally grown produce offers several benefits, to both the environment and the economy of Connecticut:

• Locally grown foods do not need to be transported long distances, meaning fewer fossil fuels are burned into our atmosphere, and there is less need for the use of plastics and other environmentally hazardous packing materials. 
• Local food producers are also far more likely to invest in local economies.
• Connecticut’s farmers spend their money in Connecticut and create jobs for residents of this state.