Texans can legally buy farm-fresh, raw milk from licensed Texas dairies. But the regulations require consumers to drive to the farm — which may be 2 or 3 hours away — to get it.

The current law burdens consumers, and it penalizes family farmers who are unfairly prevented from marketing their milk.  HB 91 would fix that, by allowing the sale of raw milk by licensed farmers at farmers’ markets and through delivery.

Please help us pass HB 91 this session to make it easier for farmers to market and consumers to access raw milk!

TAKE ACTION

The legislators need to hear from YOU!  The chance of HB 91 passing this session depends heavily on the voice of passionate consumers. It only takes a few minutes to contact your legislator, and it really does make a difference. Here are some helpful steps:

1.     Find out who your legislators are.

Visit www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us  or call the Capitol Switchboard at 512-463-4630.  The Switchboard can connect you directly to your legislators’ offices if you wish.

2.    Call your State Representative.  

* Ask to speak to the staffer who handles food or agricultural issues.
* Sample opening: “Hi, my name is ____ and I am a constituent.  I am calling to urge Representative ___ to co-author HB 91, to legalize the sale of raw milk at farmers’ markets and through delivery.  Do you know where he/she stands on this bill?”

3.     Call your State Senator.  

* Ask to speak to the staffer who handles food or agricultural issues.
* Sample opening: “Hi, my name is ____ and I am a constituent.  I am calling to urge Senator ___ to file a companion bill to HB 91, to legalize the sale of raw milk at farmers’ markets and through delivery.  Do you know where he/she stands on this bill?”

A “companion bill” is the term for when a legislator files the exact same bill in another chamber.  In other words, you’re asking your Senator to file a copy of HB 91 in the Senate.  This is important because it gives the bill a much better chance to pass!

If the staffer says they don’t know where their boss stands (which is common), say: “I would appreciate it if you would call me back after talking with the Representative/ Senator.  This issue is very important to me and my family.”

4.  Spread the word to your friends and family! 

Forward this email, post on social media, or share the flyer from https://farmandranchfreedom.org/raw-milk.  We need as many people as possible to call!

MORE INFORMATION

You can read the bill and find more information here

Facts about HB 91:
*  Would allow licensed farmers to sell raw milk at farmers’ markets and through delivery arrangements.
*  Makes no other change to the existing health and safety regulations for raw milk that have been successful in protecting the public’s health in Texas.
*  Sales will continue to be limited to direct-to-consumer transactions, as they are currently. The bill does not allow sales of raw milk in grocery stores.

Many advantages to HB 91:
* Addresses the consumer demand for high-quality raw milk by making it available at farmers markets and through home delivery.
*  Benefit rural economies because direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk can mean the difference between a net loss on the farm and a reasonable income for the farm family – which impacts the entire community.
* Improves the safety of raw milk by allowing producers to transport it to consumers under safe conditions.
*  By allowing a producer to make a single trip to serve multiple customers, rather than having each customer drive to the farm, the bill reduces vehicle miles, thereby benefiting air quality, traffic congestion, and public safety.