• Food and Farming is a Cultural Value

    Many foods we eat, grow and catch have been enjoyed for thousands of years in Asia, and many of our families first came to the US as farmers or food workers. We want to continue to participate in food and farming and pass on our traditions to the next generation.

  • Protect the Land

    We are grateful for the blessings of the land, sea, air and mountains. We want to find ways to protect the Earth, human health and our climate for future generations by safeguarding our water supply and reducing the usage of fossil fuels and harmful chemicals.

  • Food For Health

    We believe food is a valuable tool for health and longevity. Children should be taught how to eat healthily and good food should be available to all ages and income levels.

  • Fair Prices

    We are workers, owners and consumers. Our diets have traditionally included wholesome real foods, but we can’t always afford them here. We want fair prices for food and farm products, fair access to farm inputs and fair wages for food and farm work.

  • Self-Sufficiency

    We value growing food and raising animals for our family’s consumption. We want policies that allow and encourage this age-old practice.

  • Fair Trade

    As Asian Americans, we retain family ties to Asia and believe that fair trade in agriculture and food products is the best way for us all to prosper. Trade agreements should be carefully considered for their effects on family-scale, independent producers, both in the U.S. and Asia.

  • No Waste

    We value using all parts of the food we consume and seek to have them complement each other. We find ways to productively use all parts of a vegetable or animal.

Legislative Priorities

  • Increase funding and clean up inefficiencies in USDA’s NAP

    Asian American farmers are disproportionately involved in diversified fruit and vegetable production, and need disaster assistance that is efficient and affordable. The Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) should be improved to meet the needs of AAPI farmers. AAPI farmers suffer from the program’s lack of coverage and emphasis on monoculture agriculture.

  • Language access in food and farm aid programs

    In areas with high proportions of Asian American and Pacific Islander farmers or families needing food aid, there is often a lack of USDA staff and materials in their languages. Hire linguistically and culturally competent staff, and aggressively translate materials like loan applications and benefits updates. The face-to-face emphasis of agencies like the FSA particularly requires language-appropriate services.

  • Increase Testing of Fish & Seafood

    Asian American fishermen suffer from the lack of oversight of imported seafood. Consolidate jurisdiction and increase testing for impurities to protect both fishermen and consumers.

  • Promote organic production, distribution, and marketing

    Asian Americans spend more on food per person than any other ethnic group and are frequent purchasers of organic products. In accordance with USDA’s Strategic Plan to increase organic production nationwide, continue to enforce organic standards, provide incentives for organic producers and increase outreach by the National Organic Program to Asian American communities.

  • Land & Equipment Access

    Asian American farmers have long encountered federal and local government obstacles to owning and renting land for farming and ranching. The Transition Incentives Program was established in 2008 to support owners of conservation land to lease or sell to new farmers. Asian American farmers and ranchers should be informed of this and other programs and included in new and beginning farmer programs.

  • Improve school lunch with Asian American food producers

    Farm to School programs have exploded in popularity in recent years. USDA should ensure that Asian American farmers, ranchers and value-added producers are aware of changes to federal procurement rules to allow greater connection between farms and schools. Additionally, consider introducing or increasing Asian American cultural food in school lunch programs.

  • Sustainability for Asian American farmers and ranchers

    The Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program and Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of USDA help diverse communities to achieve financial and environmental sustainability on their farms and ranches. We support renewal of these programs at equivalent funding levels, and urge inclusion of Asian American producers where appropriate.