“That the right of the people to acquire the food of their choice from the source of their choice, with mutual consent, shall not be infringed.”
The proposed constitutional amendment declaring your right to food choice autonomy as an inalienable right is here. HJ 452, is patroned by Delegate Nick Freitas, at our request and is in the works at the General Assembly for 2025.
To be included in the Virginia Constitution, the Amendment will have to pass both the House and the Senate by a majority vote this year and be presented in 2026 legislature to a new body of representatives to again pass by majority vote. We need your help to get this through.
Why are we asking for a Constitutional Amendment?
For over 20 years, VICFA’s dedicated members have been working towards reclaiming our direct unregulated access to local foods produced at the farm. It has been an uphill battle going against a well established coalition of lobby groups, both corporate and bureaucratic, dedicated to the expansion and market share protection of corporate food systems. While our victories have protected and expanded what is available in the local food shed and continue to do so, there is still so much that is restricted by over-burdensome regulations intended for commercial food production, much of which is intended for international markets.
It is not enough change, nor is it fast enough. In twenty plus years we have gained the unregulated sales of baked goods, jams, jellies, dried herbs, local honey, and poverty level pickle sales, (which means not enough to make a living off of).
We believe YOU have the right to choose YOUR farmer/food producer and enjoy the food of your choice. We believe that we all should have the right to acquire that food unencumbered by regulations in a direct farm to consumer consenting relationship. If you agree with the raising, butchering, and preparing of food YOU should be unfettered from bureaucratic control denying your food choice and your access to it.
We have all seen recently what our government can mandate in the name of safety. How about lab grown meat, or genetically enhanced non-farting cows to save the planet? I know this sounds ridiculous but consider last year’s bill HB1382 to label lab grown meat as imitation meat, which was denied even a vote by subcommittee members, though all lobbying parties, VICFA included, were in favor of it. Are we being protected? And did we get truth in labeling? No. We did not.
The steady growth in local food sales and back to the land sustainability, increased dramatically in response to the empty grocery shelves during the mandated lock downs in 2019. This lead people to support their local farmers and the goods they provide.
Golden Valley Farms, in Farmville, Virginia, who provides food to hundreds of families, was raided by VDACS, who confiscated and destroyed thousands of pounds of meat destined for private direct sale members. At the members request the meat had been processed on the farm. Be clear, there was and is a shortage of USDA inspected processing facilities, there are simply not enough to handle all of the livestock in VA. The government has not rectified this issue by passing relieving regulations like the Prime Act. Instead they have denied the food choices of grown consenting adults seeking locally produced food by enforcing bad law. That does not help Virginians, nor Golden Valley’s members. Their meat is gone. What recourse do they have? They were in agreement with their farmer.
The power of the constitutional amendment will give them a chance to say, ” gov’t, hands off my food, this is MY choice!”.
How will the Amendment preserve our freedom of choice?
An amendment guarantees the right to the people to acquire the foods of their choice by the power of the Virginia Constitution. As such, you have the right of due process should that right be infringed. Without an amended right, farmers will still take the brunt of government control and you will be without food choice.
Adding the layer of constitutional protection of the right to food choice is necessary.
Passing the Constitutional Amendment will do that. If you believe that you have the right to have access to food choice freedom please help us.
Can you help by making calling and/or emailing your Delegate and Senator?
Ask them to be a co-sponsor and to support HJ 452
Sample Email…
Dear Delegate,
Please co-sign onto HJ452, a constitutional amendment that declares the right to food choice. This is very important to all Virginians. There has been much said about adulterated foods, the breakdown of supply chains, and the lack of transparency in industrial manufacturing plants. I would like the option to purchase food from a source I know and trust. It is important to me because I want food integrity. It is important to the local economy as I would like my dollars to circulate within my community.
Thank you,
Your Name
Additional talking points
HJ 452 the constitutional Amendment is important to me because I need to find and obtain special foods to meet my specific dietary needs.
My food choice is a cultural expression of my heritage, preserving my ability to procure foods of that heritage is an important part of my family connections. Please support HJ452
The liberty that HJ 452 brings to my body autonomy is essential for my well being.
I believe that HJ 452 is worth supporting because I am an American, and a grown adult capable of the individual liberty that being and American is supposed to be. Please support HJ 452, and let the people decide for themselves how they will nourish their bodies.
