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Holden Bill Requires Public Institutions Pay More for Food

Assemblymember Chris Holden's (He represents Monrovia) bill to help California farmers and boost the state's agricultural economy has been approved in the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, particularly relevant in light of a recent news article saying that California's dairy farmers are being wooed by other states.

"It just makes sense to put California-grown crops, livestock and dairy first," said Assemblymember Holden. "When I read that dairy farmers were being lured by other states with friendlier business climates, I knew we were on the right track with this legislation. AB 199 will ultimately help the state by promoting job growth. It will also keep California funds in the state to pay California wage earners and support California families."

Under AB 199, public institutions such as prisons, Veteran's Homes or hospitals would have to give California agricultural products priority if the price is within 5% of the lowest out-of-state competitor. School districts would be required to purchase California grown products as long as they weren't more expensive.

Noelle Cremers with the California Farm Bureau testified, "California's farmers are incredibly pleased with AB 199 requiring California institutions to purchase California agricultural products. This bill will give more Californians that opportunity to experience the amazing variety of products grown in California."

"AB 199 has not only an economic benefit, but it also promotes the health benefits of buying locally. California food growers and food manufacturers adhere to the highest health and safety standards in the country, which means buying from them is also the safest and healthiest choice," concluded Holden.

AB 199 is supported by California Farm Bureau, California Dairies, Apple Commission, Western Agricultural Processors, California Association for Recreational Fishing and California Black Chamber of Commerce.

Source: Holden press release

Comment: I find this rather annoying. First the state makes life so miserable for businesses that they want to leave, then it offers goodies to politically-connected businesses to make up for the misery, and then, to top it off, the state pays for these goodies by forcing hospitals and others to pay up to five percent more for the food they buy. This is awful!

UPDATE: On reflection,The bill is slightly better than it was originally, when - if I recall correctly - schools also had to pay the extra money. Better, but still awful.

- Brad Haugaard

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