I am one among many who believe in the power of self-sustenance, the wellness it brings, and the potential solutions it offers in face of challenges such as supply chain disruptions. While our Constitution and Bill of Rights lay a foundation for our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, there is a clear absence of verbiage safeguarding our right to provide sustenance for ourselves and our families.

As such, we understand the importance of securing food freedom. This very idea laid the groundwork for a remarkable change in Maine in 2021, where a state constitutional amendment affirmed  "that all individuals have a natural, inherent and unalienable right to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health and well-being.” 

Emulating Maine, we request our lawmakers to draft a similar constitutional amendment. The right to grow, raise, and consume our food plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, fosters resilience amid food supply chain disruptions, and contributes to our ability to be sustainable in our everyday lives.

A report from the National Gardening Association suggests that 35% of all households in America, or about 42 million households, are growing food at home or in a community garden – up 17 percent in five years. (National Gardening Association, 2014) This points to a powerful trend, indicating the rising interest and need for food independence.

In an online article by Feeding America it states 

"Did you know that over 1.4 million Michiganders face food insecurity?

According to the newly released 2024 Map the Meal Gap report (using 2022 data) done by Feeding America, the overall food insecurity rate for the state of Michigan is 14.2%. In our service area consisting of West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, the local food insecurity rate is 13.6%, which is a 28.6% increase from the year prior."

We believe this amendment could be the foundation for a healthier, more self-reliant future for all citizens and could potentially help with the issue of food insecurity. Whether it's raising backyard chickens or having an urban garden people should have the right and freedom to make the food choices that fit their needs the best. It's time our constitution affirmed our right to feed ourselves and our families. Sign this petition to demand a state constitutional amendment that protects citizens' right to food independence.