WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2019 –The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance made the following statement in support of the Seeding Rural Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill designed to help farmers gain access to critical mental health services. The bill was introduced by Senators John Tester (D-MT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in the Senate and Representatives Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), Angie Craig (D-MN) and John Katko (R-NY) in the House.

“The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance commends Senators Tester and Grassley and Representatives Brindisi, Craig and Katko for their leadership on the bipartisan Seeding Rural Resilience Act. As the volatile farm economy and the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events put increasing pressure on farmers and their families, the need for accessible and comprehensive mental health services continues to grow. We believe that support for farmers and their communities is vital and the passage and implementation of this legislation is an important step in reducing stigma around and expanding the availability of mental health services in historically-underserved rural communities.”

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About the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance

The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance seeks to accelerate the pace of change in the food industry through individual company leadership and collective support for public policies that raise the bar and inspire further action in this critical journey. As some of the world’s best-known food companies, founding members Danone North America, Mars, Incorporated, Nestlé USA, and Unilever United States recognize our responsibility to drive positive change for the people who use our products, the people who supply them, and the planet on which we all rely. To learn more about the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, visit www.foodpolicyalliance.org.