HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeeding Texans in a National Emergency 1962 FEEDING TEIANS
IN A NATIONAL
EMERGENCY
A summary of the Texas Emergency Food
Management Plan. Prepared for food retailers,
institutions, and the citizens of Texas.
A CONSUMER SERVICE OF THE
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
�i+�r,` AGRICULTURE, JOHN C. WHITE,
11 yir. *. COMMISSIONER, AUSTIN, TEXAS.
• v /�r
DISTRICT OFFICES: LUBBOCK,
STEPHENVILLE, TYLER, HOUSTON,
SAN ANTONIO, PHARR AND
BRENHAM.
FEEDING TEXANS IN A NATIONAL EMERGENCY
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The food industry in Texas has always managed to do its The Governor has appointed the Commissioner of
job. Texans have never had difficulties in obtaining their Agriculture and his agency, the Texas Department of
necessary food supplies. The Texas Food Management Plan is a Agriculture, the responsibilities for the secondary food
working formula to insure essential food supplies to the people resources. Their concern is with the distribution of food at
of this state during a national emergency. retail level. The Texas Department of Agriculture, through its
state -wide organization, will work primarily with food
The plan is a partnership operation bringing together the retailers, restaurants, schools, and other institutions at the
farmer, the private food industry, and the government. The consumer level.
teamwork of these groups was so successful during World War Other state agencies will join with the Texas Department
II that they not only fed our citizens but also a great portion of Agriculture to help distribute food supplies. The Texas
of the world's population. Department of Public Welfare has operational plans in the
event mass feeding is necessary. The local governmental
The President of the United States and the Governor of agencies and civil defense organizations also participate in the
Texas have assigned certain agencies to implement a Food actual distribution of food supplies to the individual
Management Plan during a national emergency. The plan was consumer.
developed to insure adequate and equitable food supplies The Food Management Plan is a
during the aftermath of a nuclear attack; however, the plan is
workable for other types of emergencies. farm-industry-government cooperation. Hopefully, the plan
will never have to be used, but Texans have the assurance that
the plan exists that is ready to be used when needed.
The Food Plan is only one of many emergency programs.
Plans have been developed for health, power supplies, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
transportation services, water, housing, economic stabilization, The principal official for emergency actions at the local
and other essential resources. levels is the county judge. Working with the county judges are
mayors, school superintendents, and other officials. Every
THE FOOD PLAN citizen should know the official, or officials, responsible for
emergency actions in his political subdivision.
The Private Food Industry, which includes everyone from
the farmer to the retail grocer, will have to continue to feed KEY POINTS IN THE PLAN
the people as in normal times. When emergencies bring about Assume a national emergency. The President of the
the threat of panic, hoarding, or general mass confusion, the United States and the Governor of Texas have issued a
President of the United States or the Governor of Texas many • statement declaring a national emergency. What can be
order the enactment of the Food Plan. expected? The following steps will be taken to the degree
necessary:
THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE (1) An order halting the sale of foods will be made.
U.S.D.A. While this order is in effect, an inventory of all food
items is to be made. Inventories will be reported to
The United States Department of Agriculture's designated local officials who will report them to the
responsibilities in the plan are concerned with the primary Texas Department of Agriculture for tabulation and
food resources. This area includes the farm and its production, evaluation. While the food freeze order is in effect, a
the processors and their products, and the wholesalers and special emergency release of food to meet urgent and
their distributing systems. immediate demands will be issued as an exception.
(2) After inventories are completed, a state -wide
Their duty is to help conserve food, to get it processed, organization called the USDA -State Defense Board will
and to have it properly distributed. They will assist in the issue the necessary regulations and releases to assure an
restoration of the processing, storage, handling, and equitable distribution of available supplies. This board
distribution systems if needed. The USDA's primary job is to will assist in obtaining the essential services for
locate the food at its primary source and help move it to the transportation, fuels, power, and other necessities, in
consumer level. order to keep food supplies moving to the people. The
length of the emergency will of course determine the
amount of regulations to be issued.
(3) If long -range planning is necessary, the Texas
inventories will be analyzed in relationship to national
supplies. There may be a surplus of certain products in
one area while a shortage may exist in another. As
primary food resources are replenished, priorities will be
established for their distribution. All such contingencies
will be handled by the Consumer & Marketing Service of
the USDA.
(4) Communications during a national emergency
are to be handled by other governmental agencies
cooperating with private broadcasting companies.
Through civil defense communiques, the public will be
advised of the general situation and where to obtain
food and other essential life - sustaining supplies.
To the People of Texas:
Please be assured that I and the other people in this
department are dedicated to the protection of life and
property in this state in the event of any kind of an
emergency. Our personnel, computers, and all of our other
facilities will be put to work immediately.
Personally, I do not anticipate ever having to administer our
role in the Texas Food Management Plan. I know that it would
take an extreme emergency before the Texas Food Industry
would need any type of governmental assistance; however, if
that assistance is ever needed, we will give ourselves .to it
completely.
Additional copies of this pamphlet are available upon request.
I sincerely hope that they serve to reassure Texans that
preparations have been made to see that they receive a
continuous supply of food in emergencies.
Please contact our office in Austin or any of our District
Offices for additional information.
John C. White
Commissioner of Agriculture