On a mission to advance the local food movement, a Democrat from Austin is finding common ground with Republicans and rural Texans.

When Republicans hear a Democrat saying there is “too much regulation, their ears perk up,” State Representative Eddie Rodriguez, that Democrat, said with a smile. Mr. Rodriguez founded the Farm to Table Caucus, the nation’s first bipartisan legislative caucus to focus on advancing the local production of healthy food.

Ultimately, Mr. Rodriguez says, the caucus could help address health issues in Texas like obesity and the scarcity of healthy food options in poor urban neighborhoods.

While large-scale farms receive agricultural tax relief, urban and small-scale family farms do not qualify under many county appraisal districts’ definitions of agricultural land use. And a lack of consistency in local health regulations makes it difficult for farmers and chefs to know what is permitted, what requires a permit and what is off limits when selling or distributing locally produced foods.