AFA recently hosted a panel of experts to make the case for prioritizing fiber-rich foods across federal farm programs.
Did you know?
The U.S. food system supplies only half the dietary fiber Americans need,
while oversupplying protein.
The Problem
The USDA dietary guidelines tell us that 80% of our plates be comprised of fiber-rich foods. 1
Meanwhile, Americans consume half the dietary fiber they need. 2
Approximately 8% of USDA farm spending supports fiber-rich foods, and only 3% goes to fruits & vegetables. 3
Is it any wonder that the US Food System supplies only half of the dietary fiber that Americans need? 4
Hmm …
Solutions
AFA draft Legislation
AFA proposes draft legislation that will create a USDA pilot program to help farmers transition into producing fiber-rich food crops.
AFA Announces Funding for UW-Madison Project
AFA recently announced grant funding to the University of Wisconsin – Madison to develop the ‘Compass Fruit & Nut Evaluation Tool’ to help farmers evaluate the suitability of various fiber-rich crops.
Ready to continue the conversation? Please contact us.
AFA’s Farm Bill Recommendations
Letter to the Honorable Tom Vilsack
‘The Case for Fiber-rich foods in Farm Policy’ Webinar
(12/13/2021)
Agenda
| Topic [ Panelist Remarks ] | ⏱ | Speaker |
| Purpose and panel intro | 3 | Addison Stark, Moderator |
| Introductory remarks | 3 | Kristy Anderson, American Heart Association |
| What happens when people eat enough fiber & what happens when they don’t | 6 | Dr. Will Bulsciewicz, MD |
| It doesn’t have to be this way, and it wasn’t always this way Nutrition equity: Increasing dietary fiber intake in Black communities | 3 | Tracye McQuirter, MPH |
| Shaping the Path Opportunities for fiber-rich food producers | 3 | Miyoko Schinner, CEO Miyoko’s Creamery |
| Shaping the Path A dairyman’s story of a farm transition | 3 | Paul Jereczek, Farmer, Dodge WI |
| Prioritizing fiber-rich foods (production -> accessibility) in U.S. Farm Policy (link) | 6 | Laura Reese CEO Agriculture Fairness Alliance |
Panelists
in order of appearance
Addison Stark, PhD
Addison Stark directs Clark Street’s Energy and Environment program. Mr. Stark is moderating this meeting.
Kristy Anderson
Senior Government Relations Advisor at American Heart Association | American Stroke Association
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, MD MSCI
Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) from Northwestern University | Certificate in nutrition from Cornell University | Board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology | Expert in digestive diseases and the gut
Tracye McQuirter, MPH
Founder and CEO of 10 Million Black Vegan Women | Adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health
Miyoko Schinner
Founder and CEO of Miyoko’s Creamery
Miyoko’s award-winning plant-based cheeses are found in thousands of stores across the USA
Paul Jereczek
Agriculture Producer | Dodge, Wisconsin
Multi-generational dairy farmer, interested in diversifying his farm to hazelnut production.
