AFSC-sponsored YouGov poll released as Congress approaches Farm Bill deadline
PHILADELPHIA (September 27, 2023) A new public opinion poll that examined U.S. public attitudes toward agricultural policy, hunger, and climate change found considerable support for policies that advance food security and environmental justice. The poll was conducted by YouGov and commissioned by American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker organization that began addressing food access issues in the aftermath of WWI. The poll’s release coincides with the approaching deadline for congressional negotiations on the Farm Bill on September 30.
“We all deserve access to enough food to feed our families. Yet, in the U.S. today more than 33 million people in the U.S. do not have enough food,” said Beth Hallowell, Director of Research and Analytics for AFSC. “The Farm Bill is a critically important piece of legislation where Congress can invest in the needs of their constituents through farming, agriculture, nutrition, food access, and conservation.”
The Farm Bill is an omnibus package of legislation that covers not only agricultural policy, but also nutrition, trade, conservation, forestry, and rural development programs. It is updated only once every five years.
Key findings from the poll include:
- 68% either “strongly agreed” or “somewhat agreed” that “the Farm Bill should invest in agricultural practices that help reduce the impact of agriculture on climate and the environment.”
- 46% of respondents “strongly agreed” when asked if they believe the upcoming Farm Bill updates should include workplace protections for agricultural workers.
- 62% agree that the government (federal, state, or local) should take the primary responsibility for ending hunger and improving food access.
- 72% support investment in small-scale agriculture projects, including school and community gardens.
The poll was conducted as a web survey by YouGov with a sample of 1,145 U.S. adults who were sampled in July 2023. This study has a margin of error of +/- 3.36%
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.