THE LOCAL ILLINOIS LOCAL AND ORGANIC FOOD AND FARM TASK FORCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date March 2, 2009
Contact: Emily Blum, 312-408-2580 x 13
Valerie Denney, 312-408-2580 x11 or
312-320-2162 (cell)
Increased Local Food Production in Illinois
Could Generate $20-30 Billion Annually
WHAT: The vast majority of the $48 billion Illinois consumers spend annually on food currently goes to out-of-state producers.
A new report showing the economic benefit to Illinois of producing more local food within the state will be released along with new legislation designed to significantly stimulate increased local food production.
WHO: The Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force was appointed in 2007 and consists of broad cross section of organizations engaged in agriculture in Illinois, including farmers and farm organizations, local food producers, government officials and consumer organizations.
Speaking at the press conference will be:
Wes Jarrell, chairman of the 32-member Task Force & Professor of Sustainable Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Tom Jennings, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture (to be confirmed)
Representative Julie Hamos, (D) Evanston, lead legislation sponsor
Senator Jacqueline Collins (D) Chicago, lead legislation sponsor
Hero Tameling, Director, Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness (DHS)
Kevin Bolin, President, American Corn Growers Association & commodity farmer, Sheffield, IL
WHEN/ Wednesday, March 4, 2009
WHERE
10:00 a.m. By Conference Call: 800-791-2345. Conference Code 68078
11;00 A.M.: Live Conference: Blue Room, Capitol Building, Springfield, Illinois
Streaming video is available at www.blueroomstream.com
WHY: Illinois is a national leader in the delivery of vast quantities of commodities into the global food system. At the same time, Illinoisans export tens of billions of dollars to pay for food from places like California, Mexico and China. More local production can keep those dollars in state, create jobs, and revitalize the rural economy without sacrificing our commodity export industry.
Report and press materials available at www.foodfarmsjobs.org on March 4, 2009.
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