In California, legislative resolutions tend to reflect universal sentiments: We embrace literacy. We disavow dating violence. But when Sacramento Assemblyman Roger Dickinson introduced a resolution to dub September Food Literacy Awareness Month, the details of the motion set off a virtual food fight.
Several lobbyists for growers and grocers stepped up to oppose the language in the resolution during a hearing last week, confirming that in a state where half of the nation's fruit, nuts and vegetables are grown, seemingly uncontroversial statements about food draw intense scrutiny.
Amber Stott, director of the California Food Literacy Center, said her organization sponsored the resolution and sees eating fresh, local produce as a key to stemming the nation’s obesity crisis. To foster that goal, Stott said the group goes to schools and introduces kids to fresh produce to “inspire children to eat more fruits and vegetables.”
During the hearing, Dickinson said the resolution supports the state economy by encouraging the purchasing of California-grown produce.
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