PHOTO BY DAVID BLANCHETTE
Jessica Hicks of Itty Bitty Micro Farm stands by microgreens that the operation has bought to meals banks utilizing soon-to-disappear federal funds. The USDA canceled a $1 billion program which buys merchandise from farmers, then distributes the meals via native meals pantries.
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A MAJOR LOSS
Illinois Occasions is to be counseled for the article “A loss for Illinois farmers and meals banks” (April 24). The cancellation of grants supposed to allow meals banks and colleges to buy meals from native producers is unlucky, if not tragic.
Amidst all of the furor of tariffs, immigration issues and assaults on schooling, this concern has obtained too little consideration. We’ve targeting the worth of automobiles, avocadoes and occasional, whereas within the midst of a disaster that impacts not solely customers however producers right here in Illinois.
The producers are laborious hit by the lack of market, since it isn’t doable for them to easily shut down and wait till issues get higher in a 12 months or so. Vegetation continue to grow and livestock preserve consuming.
Those that will undergo from lack of fine, contemporary, nourishing meals (Make America Wholesome Once more?) as a result of it isn’t attending to meals banks and colleges cannot simply cease consuming. Many households depend on their native meals banks. That is particularly essential in the summertime and college holidays when youngsters don’t get college lunches or breakfasts.
Applause to these farmers who produce the meals and to our senators who help the Honor Farmers Contract Act. Make “good bother” with these representatives who’re reluctant to face this concern.
Paula M. Woods
Beardstown
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DON’T RELY ON GOVERNMENT
No matter occurred to the free market? Provide and demand? Possibly everybody ought to give up counting on the federal government a lot.
Kristin Boster
By way of Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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EXPECT BETTER
I admire IT’s in-depth protection of this concern. Irrespective of the place one is politically, it’s merely unfair to cancel a contract after one celebration relied on it and began compliance. It could actually be a breach of contract if litigated in civil court docket. Companies know learn how to sport the authorized system towards smaller litigants, however should not we count on extra from the federal authorities?
Denise Church
By way of Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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FRAGILE SYSTEM
I’ve learn and shared “A Loss for Illinois farmers and meals banks” by David Blanchette, and I admire Illinois Occasions’ protection of a difficulty that impacts our native economic system and native lives. My reflection: We have been rising a wholesome meals system that helped each farmers and hungry individuals. Then whoosh, it’s gone in just a few weeks. How fragile all of it is.
Sheila Stroll
Springfield
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DON’T LIMIT BEER SALES
As a fan of microbreweries, I admire this new invoice and assume it’s going to move unanimously (“A invoice to spice up beer breweries,” April 24) Nevertheless, I might like a invoice that claims any Illinois brewery can promote as a lot beer in Illinois as they need, and right here is the explanation why.
I’ve had beer from a microbrewery that was beginning out within the Chicago space. It was excellent and was supplied downstate. Nevertheless, because it turned extra widespread, the Chicago space turned its solely distribution place because the portions are restricted and it is simpler to distribute regionally. Conversely, the identical has occurred to an excellent brewery from Petersburg. My pals up north couldn’t entry it as a result of it turned so widespread downstate.
If somebody in Illinois is making good beer, let all Illinoisians get pleasure from it with none constraints. And for me personally, I hope this may drive down costs via the economies of scale and cut back the attain of the skanky nationwide beers.
Rick Campbell
Springfield
