St. Louis County Council approves Rustic Roots funding after large public turnout; members seek implementation details

The St. Louis County Council on April 15 approved substitute bill 1 for bill 54, a measure to provide county support for Rustic Roots Sanctuary and a network of partner farms and a proposed harvest hub, after nearly an hour of public testimony from farmers, seniors and community groups and discussion among council members.

Supporters said the program will expand local food access in North County and build small-scale agricultural infrastructure. Janet Lewis, who identified herself as the founder and executive director of Rustic Root Sanctuary, told the council, "We have a solution, and we've been working that solution." Dozens of residents and farmers described direct benefits they said the project had already delivered, including fresh produce distribution, educational programming and food deliveries during the pandemic.

Why it matters: Council members framed the vote as part of a broader push to address food insecurity in historically underserved parts of St. Louis County. Advocates repeatedly called the area a food apartheid and urged the council to release funds that supporters said were set aside for…