Congressman Bilbray,

We are looking forward to your visit to the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in August. I look forward to meeting you again.

On your visit to our restaurant, you will see that we are avid supporters of locally produced HEALTHY natural ingredients. It is what we believe in for our employees, guests and families. We believe that local and organic foods taste better, and are better for supporting our local economy.

This letter is to urge you to support updates in the Farm Bill that bring it in line with modern day realities. Specifically, I would like you to....

• Support the Farmers Market Promotion Program
  
• Support full funding and enforcement of Country of Origin Labeling
  
• Support expansion of conservation programs
  
• Support funds for organic farming and grass pastured livestock operations.

When we set about the opening of our restaurant here in Escondido, I felt is was our DUTY to learn about the food that we would be serving our customers. I believe it is our responsibility to serve ethical, safe and nutritious food.

I believe that the US Government should have the same standards represented in the Farm Bill. Sadly, this has not been the case. The Farm Bill has instead come to represent subsidies that focus narrowly on corn, soybeans and a few other commodity crops that are then processed into high-calorie, poor nutrition diets which have resulted directly in the current epidemic of child and adult obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Shockingly, there are no supports for fruits and vegetables or any other foods that we would want our children and community to eat.

I would look very forward to speaking with you or your staff in person about this. I would be happy to come over to your offices, or perhaps better, invite you over for a beer and discussion on our beautiful patio!

Respectfully,