Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas The physical health and well-being of all citizens of our Commonwealth are primary and fundamental concerns; and
Whereas Supporting a diverse agricultural sector provides a safety net for farms, expands the suite of local products available for consumers, and benefits local and state economies; and
Whereas Increased access to fresh and local agricultural products and increased physical activity are effective strategies to treating diet-related diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles; and
Whereas Approximately 615,000 people in Massachusetts are at risk for hunger each day; and
Whereas Expanding access to healthy food, especially in low income areas, is of great importance to aid those who live in food deserts - areas with limited availability of nourishing food; and
Whereas 231 public school districts and 89 colleges and private K-12 schools preferentially purchase local agricultural products as a result of legislative, regulatory and policy changes that have facilitated the Massachusetts Farm-to-School efforts; and
Whereas The Commonwealth has recognized the critical importance of a strong agricultural sector through the permanent protection of more than 69,000 acres of farm land; and
Whereas Through innovative partnerships with the private sector, and the work of the Massachusetts Food Policy Council, the Commonwealth strikes to promote locally grown food and aims to enhance access to health foods grown in the state, while protecting land and water resources essential to sustain local food production,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim October 24th, 2012, to be
FOOD DAY
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this fourteenth day of September, in the year two thousand and eleven, and of the Independence of the Untied States of America, the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachsuetts