You can do more than just vote this election cycle

Most politicians are unaware of the importance of real foods both socially and politically. They remain ignorant of the tidal wave of consumer demand that is fast approaching.  It is our job as people interested in real foods, to educate them.  Campaigns are a great place to start.  It is a time when politicians are seeking votes and tune into what their electorate is thinking about.

If you already have a candidate that you support, campaign season is a great way to get them thinking about food related issues.  If you’re not even sure who is running, look them up and start talking to them about real foods. (Google search your state and board of elections)

Some great ways to get politicians engaged are to invite them to a local foods meeting, farm tour, screening of one of the food documentaries, talk or presentation that you are hosting or anything else that you think will help convey the message of real foods.

Make sure to point out to them the connection between supporting local farms and a thriving rural economy. Most politicians have no idea the level of regulation that impedes access to real foods.  (This is in the bureaucrats department usually)  They do not realize that the over-burdensome regulations can keep a farmer from making a living on their farm.  In a depressed economy, tying it all together for them and pointing out the relationship between supporting small farms and boosting rural economies, can sometimes make all the difference.

On the National level, if you do not already know, find out who is running for Congress in your district. Representative are elected every 2 years and some Senators are up for reelection this year.  Call their campaigns and ask where they stand on the food issues that are important to you.  For example, ask them if they would support the bill that lifts the ban on the interstate shipment of fresh milk.  Most of them have no idea what is going on in the “real food world”  It is really up to you to educate them, get a general knowledge of where they stand on food related issues and if they get elected follow-up with them once they are in office.

Check out their voting record! This is important.  Politicians can and will say anything they think you want to hear. Do the digging so you know how they voted on certain key pieces of legislation so that you can be prepared when speaking to them.

On the state level, most of the State Assembly positions across the country are up for reelection this year. We can have tremendous impact on the state level by talking with those who are campaigning and bringing an awareness of food issues to them before they even reach office.  It is not unusual to speak directly with your elected representatives or whoever is running for office in your district.  Everyone has a state Senator and a state Representative (sometimes called Delegates, Assembly persons, etc.)  Now is the time they are campaigning.  You can get active on the campaign of someone you support (you can support and volunteer for those outside your district as well) and you can bring awareness of food issues to candidates you don’t necessarily support but who need to be educated on real foods.

In my years of doing this there are a few golden rules to always keep in mind:

1. It is ALWAYS worth it! Whatever time and energy it takes to speak to someone, it is always worth the time, energy, exhaustion etc.
2. You are making a difference in their lives! When you speak to elected officials, candidates and their staff, you are providing them with information that will change their lives.  My first year working in Annapolis, I gave information about fresh milk to my Delegate’s aide.  She was so intrigued she tried some milk at my encouragement.  She has tackled some serious health issues, buys fresh milk weekly and credits the milk for much of her recovery.
3. Persistence! they are busy and this is not in the front of their minds.  You’ll likely not get a call back but keep calling.  And be nice about it.  They are people too with loved ones who will benefit from the information you have.

I know it can be intimidating to make that first phone call, but it is worth it and you are making a difference in people’s lives.  So go on out there and tell your candidates about real foods!

Please, comment and let us know your experience with this.  It encourages people when they see that others are making the contacts.

About Liz Reitzig
Liz Reitzig is a certified Liberation Wellness Nutritionist and a regular contributor to Liberation Wellness (www.LiberationWellnessBlog.com) She serves as President of the Maryland Independent Consumers and Farmers Association and Secretary of the National Independent Consumers and Farmers Association.  As a champion for real foods and farm freedom, Liz is the co-founder and partner in a farm fresh buying club and raises her own family on real foods from local farms. She is also a Chapter Leader for the Weston A Price Foundation.