Knowing who to contact can be a complex and intimidating proposition for many. This page intends to facilitate the process of getting your voice heard to the right contacts. There are many players impacting our food system—ranging from government, food producers, food industry trade groups and food retailers and restaurants.
Government Contacts
The Food and Drug Administration The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
regulations.gov. Regulations.gov is your online source for U.S. government regulations from nearly 300 federal agencies.
The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of Interior The BLM manages public lands and plays a large role in how they will be used.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The mission of EPA is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment — air, water and land — upon which life depends.
EPA, Animal Feeding Operations, State by State Directory These are specific contacts in all 50 states of EPA officials who have the authority to issue and manage permits for AFOs and CAFOs (factory farm operations)
Congress Use the Open Congress web site to monitor Congress activity and find bills that are being debated on now. You can easily voice your support or opposition to a bill and post comments.
The Department of Natural Resources. The DNRs are state specific agencies that issue and manage permits for farms and food producers (among many other functions). Contact the DNR in your state or other state for an issue related to that state.
Food Producers
The largest meat, dairy and food producers are the focus here. Change coming from these companies will effect change in the industry over time.
Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, Cargill, Deans, Nestle
Food Retailers
A directory of the 75 largest supermarket chains in North America for 2010 can be found at the Supermarket News web site. The top ten comprise 68% of the total revenues of the Top 75.
Food Industry backed Trade Organizations
The Animal Industry Foundation; The American Veal Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Milk Producers Council, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, United Egg Producers, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and the American Feed Industry Association, American Meat Institute, the Meat Promotion Coalition and the National Dairy Council, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) and the Animal Welfare Council (AWC).
