As a resident of Port Huron with a history of financial struggle, securing nutritious and affordable food has never been an easy challenge. In the past, this struggle has been complex and difficult; however, I perceive a viable solution: allowing residents to own chickens on their private property.

The idea is not novel. Backyard chicken keeping is a growing movement across the globe, welcomed by communities as a sustainable, economical, and beneficial way to see food production firsthand. A single chicken, on average, produces between 200 to 300 eggs a year which could significantly impact a family's food budget while also providing a source of high-quality protein (Harvard School of Public Health, 2016).

Moreover, this petition is not merely an attempt to assuage my personal struggles but a call to alleviate the community's food accessibility issue as well. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is estimated that 1 in 12 families in Port Huron struggle with food insecurity, meaning they lack access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle. If members of Port Huron could raise chickens, we could, in turn, share our surplus with neighbors, thus strengthening our sense of community and collective resilience.

Through this petition, we urge our local lawmakers to reevaluate the current policy and pave the way to legalize chicken ownership within the city limits of Port Huron. Let us prioritize our citizens' rights to affordable, sustainable, and locally produced food. Please support this petition to bring about necessary change for low-income families in Port Huron. Your signature signifies a step towards nutritional security, community well-being, and local sustainability.