If the group is having trouble generating their own ideas, these suggestions can help get things started:

Work with civic, government, and business groups to help link local restaurants and other foodservice providers (schools, dorms, stadiums, etc.) to local family farmers.

If your area has a farmer’s market, drop by and talk with some of the local farmers about their work (and then purchase something from them!) If needed, facilitate farmer’s market vendors’ ability to accept food stamps and/or formally cooperate with food assistance programs. And if there isn’t a farmer’s market nearby, consider contacting farmers in the region to see if it might be possible to start one, or perhaps develop a CSA program.

Start (or help start) a community or school garden.

Investigate the current federal Farm Bill and its provisions for family farmers. Meet with your legislative representatives to let them know where you stand and any changes you’d like to see.