Resource Library
Browse 100+ resources on food systems law and policy.
State and Local Government Policy Options to Increase Procurement of Locally Grown Cultural Foods in Maui County, Hawai’i, and Beyond
This issue brief explores legislative policy opportunities at the state and local government level to increase the procurement of locally grown foods that hold cultural significance for groups of individuals who share a common cultural bond.
Topic: Food Labels Audience: Processors & DistributorsCountry of Origin Labeling
This issue brief explores the benefits of eating locally, including improved nutrition, reduced environmental impact, and economic support for local communities.
Topic: Other Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersLand-Use Tools to Protect Pollinators
This issue brief summarizes existing efforts to protect pollinators through federal, state, and local policies. It explores strategies to improve land-use tools, interventions that can promote pollinator populations, and options for additional policy innovations to support pollinator health.
Topic: Other Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersBuilding Resilient Local Meat Supply Chains
This issue brief provides an overview of the federal and state policy landscape for meat inspections as they relate to on-farm slaughter practices and outlines policy considerations.
Topic: Food Labels Audience: ConsumersWhat Is “Healthy” Food?
This issue brief outlines how the federal government regulates the term “healthy” on food labels and breaks down the meaning of health claims used on food packaging to support informed consumer choices.
Topic: Food Labels Audience: ConsumersWhat’s The Beef?
This issue brief provides general background on the science of cell-cultured meat production, describes the different regulatory bodies involved, and identifies some of the major issues surrounding the regulation of this new food product.
Topic: Other Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersAddressing Consolidation in Agriculture
This issue brief analyzes USDA’s response to Executive Order 14036, entitled “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” and the extent to which it follows the president’s directive.
Topic: Food Labels Audience: ConsumersWhat Is Local Food?
This issue brief looks at how the term "local" is used in law and policy, provides examples of definitions, and describes additional values that are often considered within the context of local food.
Topic: Food Labels Audience: ConsumersIs “Organic” Humane?
This brief examines the movement to include animal welfare standards in the National Organic Program and includes policy considerations for advocates seeking to inform consumers and advance animal welfare through the National Organic Program.
Topic: Food Labels Audience: ConsumersConsumer’s Guide to Bioengineered Food Disclosures
This issue brief explains the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which is a federal law that requires food manufacturers and retailers to disclose whether certain foods are bioengineered on food labels.
Topic: Food Labels Audience: Processors & DistributorsHow Does the First Amendment Apply to Food and Supplement Labels?
This issue brief discusses how the First Amendment may prevent the federal government from restricting or compelling speech on food and dietary supplement labels.
Topic: Farm Bill Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersTitle 2: Conservation
This backgrounder surveys the history and evolution of farm bill conservation programs since the 1930s, provides an overview of the Conservation Title of the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills, and outlines and identifies several key issues that will inform debate as Congress considers conservation reform in the 2024 farm bill.
Topic: Farm Bill Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersTitle 9: Energy
The purpose of this backgrounder is to outline the history, context, and content of the farm bill’s Energy Title.
Topic: Farm Bill Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersTitle 6: Rural Development
This backgrounder highlights the history, context, and content of the Farm Bill’s Rural Development Title.