Food Policy Councils Directory
This is a listing of Food Policy Councils in the U.S. If you know of a new Food Policy Council that should be added, please e-mail foodfirst (at) foodfirst.org. If you see an organization listed that in now defunct, you can also tell us to remove it from the list. And finally if you find web site links that don't work or have changed, tell us about that. Thanks for helping us keep this listing up to date.
ARIZONA
Phoenix
Arizona Food and Agricultural Policy Coalition
Community Food Connections
The CFC assists in the development of farmers’ markets and other direct food-marketing programs. It is also responsible for the development of the Women, Infant, Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, the Senior Nutrition Program, and the Farmers’ Market Food Stamp System.
A new coordinator was hired in June 2007 to re-energize the coalition. He is talking with stakeholders to set down priorities and will be holding a coalition meeting in September 2007.
CONTACT:Cindy Gentry
cgentry@foodconnect.org
PO Box 22216
Phoenix, AZ 85028
(602) 493-5231
www.foodconnect.org
CALIFORNIA
Contra Costa and Solano Counties
Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium
Meetings are held every other month to keep the community informed about local legislation and members’ activities. Members include representatives from the Public Health Department, The Women, Infant, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC), the Food Stamp Bureau, the Child Care Council, the food bank, various food pantries, and area school districts. The Consortium was responsible for the organization of the 2005 workshop Feeding Children 0-5, and is also affiliated with Families CAN, a program that provides financial assistance to the families of patients with cancer.
CONTACT:Lindsay Johnson
ljohnson@foodbankccs.org
(925) 676-7543 x204
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
PO Box 271966
Concord, CA 94527-1966
Sacramento
Sacramento Hunger Commission
The Sacramento Hunger Commission was formed in 1990 as a program of the Community Services Planning Council. It receives funding through the California Nutrition Network (under the Department of Health) to implement recommendations from the commission’s “Breaking Barriers” report. The report, “Breaking Barriers: A Road to Improved Food Access”, outlines recommendations made by low-income community members on ways to improve their food access. The Hunger Commission has a broad member base that includes school workers, farmers, and anti-hunger advocates. The commission’s programs include nutrition education, edible landscaping, neighborhood-based outreach with assessment-based community workshops, and Hunger 101, an interactive activity showing what it is like to live with hunger.
CONTACT:Melissa Ortiz-Gray
Mortiz-Gray@communitycouncil.org
ph:(916) 447-7063
f:(916) 447-7052
909 12th Street, Ste 200
Sacramento, CA 95814
http://www.targethunger.com
San Francisco
San Francisco System Council
The San Francisco System Council was founded in 2001, and participation is open and voluntary. Members can join either as individuals or as representatives of organizations. Members who have signed the current membership form are eligible to vote. The organization is comprised of SF Food Alliance Membership and Working Groups: Access to Healthy Food in District 10, Organization working group, Policy working group, Education working group, Food System Assessment and Report Card working group. There is also a Technical Advisory Board, which is made up of Food Systems experts and government officials. A director, two project coordinators, two community research assistants, and a project manager staff the Council. The San Francisco System Council is under the fiscal sponsorship of the San Francisco Foundation Community Initiative Funds.
The Council’s projects include: the San Francisco Food Alliance Conference, a San Francisco Food Systems Guidebook, assessments of nutrition in childcare, food stamps at farmers’ markets, Farm-to-School programs, and Farm-to-Hospital programs.
The Council is housed under the Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Section (EHS) as a public-private partnership.
CONTACT: Leah Rimkus
(415) 252-3937
http://www.sffoodsystems.org
Sonoma
Food Matters
Food Matters is involved with a broad Farm-to-School movement that began with the Farm-to-School Forum in 2002. A Farm-to-School Committee takes children on farm and farmers’ market tours with grant money from the Center for Eco-literacy, the 5 A Day Power Play Campaign and the Sonoma County’s Department of Health Services. Food Matters is a project of the Northern California Center for Well-Being, a nonprofit dedicated to health education.
CONTACT: Ellen Bauer
e.bauer@earthlink.net or
James Johnson
shanjam@igc.org
(707) 829-6353
info@foodmatters.org
http://www.food-matters.org
CANADA
British Columbia
Vancouver Food Policy Council
Since 2004, the Vancouver Food Policy Council has had monthly open meetings comprised of citizens and government representatives. On February 15, 2007 the Council and the Mayor adopted a Food Charter that outlines the principles for a just and sustainable food system. The goal of the charter is to bring about change with efforts to increase food gardens and legalize urban beekeeping, along with the creation of a Plant a Row/Grow a Row Program that encourages gardeners to grow produce for food banks.
CONTACT: (604) 730-0450
office@ffcf.bc.ca
Devorah Khan
devorah.kahn@vancouver.ca
(604) 871-6324
Ontario
Toronto Food Policy Council
With 21 members, 3 full time staff members and open meetings every 3 weeks, the Toronto Food Policy Council has existed as a subcommittee of the Board of Health since 1991. Accomplishments of the Council include the City of Toronto Declaration on Food and Nutrition, the Buy Ontario Campaign in hospitals, an increase in school food programs, and a completed study for the Field to Table program, which links low-income residents to farmers. Additionally, the Council has led a community garden expansion project, advocated against BGH in dairies, and researched commercial kitchen incubators, leading to the construction of a 2000-foot incubator that aids small food businesses.
CONTACT: Wayne Roberts
tfpc@toronto.ca
ph: (416) 338-7937
f: (416) 392-1357
277 Victoria Street, Suite 203
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W1
http://www.toronto.ca/health/tfpc_index.htm
COLORADO
San Luis Valley
San Luis Valley Food
and Agriculture Policy Council
This is a regional chapter of the Colorado Food and Agriculture Policy Council. Its projects include Farm-to-School programs, school and community gardens, and local food availability assessments. Other accomplishments include a survey that measures farmer interest in local markets and work on the 2007 Farm Bill.
CONTACT: Karma Anderson, district
conservationist
karma.anderson@co.usda.gov
(710) 672-3673 x106
NRCS San Luis Field Office
Jason Schmidt
jasonr.schmidt@rednet.net
http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/bouder/AG/FAP.schtml
CONNECTICUT
Hartford
Connecticut Food Policy Council
With a goal to reduce bureaucratic barriers to food security, it created a single application form for various food assistance programs. It reenergized the Farmland Conservation Program with the reservation of farmland with an initiation of the purchase of development rights for 12 farms (1,350 acres). It changed university food buying policy to allow competitive bidding from local producers. It created a map of farmers’ markets and stands and farmers’ market coupons for seniors. It is currently working on legislation to encourage supermarkets in low-income neighborhoods. It also has numerous publications and a newsletter.
The council is housed within the Dept. of Agriculture. It collaborates with the Working Lands Alliance and the Save the Land conference on Farmland Preservation Program.
CONTACT: Linda Drake, chair
linda.drake@uconn.edu
(860) 486-1783
University of Connecticut EFNEP
Connecticut Food Policy Council
Dept. of Agriculture
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
www.foodpc.state.ct.us
ILLINOIS
Chicago
Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council
Created in 2001, this council provides recommendations to the city government within three categories: access through farmers markets, public transit, and Economic Sustainability through small food business, emergency food aid, and Food and Sustainability through eco-literacy, urban agriculture. In 2008 it will begin grading the city on its progress. Additionally, it fosters neighborhood councils within the city and provides them with staff.
The council has an executive committee with co-chairs and a general membership body, which is comprised of people involved in community food security in the Chicago region. It collaborates with Growing Power and Sustain. It is linked to a statewide network of councils organized by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. It is funded by LaSalle Bank, Heifer International, Growing Power, Inc., Sustain, and the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation.
CONTACT: Erika Allen
erika@growingpower.org
(773) 324-7924 or
Rodger Colley
rodger.cooley@heifer.org
(773) 279-9696
http://www.chicagofoodpolicy.org
Rogers Park NeighborFood Council
This is a neighborhood group that is active in the Chicago and Illinois Food Policy Councils. The Rogers Park Council works with the Chicago Food and Agriculture Policy Council on agenda setting. Contributions to the community include the Sustain on IL farm bill, the Annual Spring Food Fest, an organic community garden, and classes held through the Chicago Park District. The council receives support from the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council.
CONTACT: Rpneighborhoodfoodcouncil@yahoo.com
(773) 262-7070
IOWA
Des Moines
Iowa Food Policy Council
With an executive order by the governor, it was formed in 2000. The council makes policy recommendations to the Iowa governor. It also has an online directory of farmers markets and producers. It has 18-24 members with 8 “ex-officio” members representing various state agencies, 4 staff members (2 as consultants) and volunteer law students. It is funded primarily by a $200,000 grant from USDA Risk Management Agency.
CONTACT: Neil D. Hamilton, director
Agricultural Law Center
(515) 271-2065 or
Matt Russell
Iowa FPC Coordinator
(515)271-4956
http://www.iowafoodpolicy.org
KANSAS
Salina
Kansas Food Policy
It makes policy recommendations to governor task forces, both of which are working well: the Local and regional food task force and the Food security task force.
It was initially organized in 2005 by the Kansas Rural Center, the Salina Food Policy Council, Drake University and Agricultural Law Center. It has received two years of funding ($120,000) through the Kansas Rural Center by the USDA Community Foods Project Program. The governor has also committed to in-kind support plus an in-kind grant with $250,000 in match with the collaboration with the Dept. of Commerce, Agriculture and Commerce, Aging, and Social and Rehabilitative Services (SRS), the Education and Rural Life Task Force.
CONTACT: Dan Nagengast, coordinator
(785) 748-0959
http://www.kansasruralcenter.org/kfpc.html
MICHIGAN
Grand Rapids
Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council
This is a program of West Michigan Environmental Action Council. It publishes an annual food guide, the West Michigan FRESH: A Guide to Local Food. It received a $24,000 grant to support the development of a community-designed plan to address the food/nutrition/hunger issues of people in Baxter, SECA and Grafield Park, which are low-income neighborhoods of Grand Rapids and the City of Muskegon Heights. It has educational courses to connect consumers and farmers. It helped the city of Grand Rapids to develop a city gardens policy and urban agriculture planning documents – different planning and zoning tools that can be used to support urban agriculture. It also does research and analysis of food systems in urban Grand Rapids (economics of dollars spent on local food availability).
With an 11 member board of directors and a monthly meeting, a public policy committee and possibly more committees. It is “emerging as a collaborative of west Michigan community-based, governmental, non-profit and private organizations and individuals.” It collaborates with the Kent County Emergency Needs Task Force, the city and county governments, and the Mixed Greens schoolyard garden program. Additionally, it receives funds from the USDA, the Kent County Health Department, the Hunger Walk Initiative, and local foundations.
CONTACT: Tom Cary
(616) 451-3051
10007 Lake Dr. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
info@foodshed.net
http://www.foodshed.net/
OREGON
Benton and Lincoln Counties
Ten Rivers Food Web
The Food Web has created a large scale rower to consumer contract” wherein Ten Rivers will coordinate a local food production, processing, and distribution network. It is made up of focus committees: Food Literacy, Local Farm coordination, Community Processing Facility, Farm to Cafeteria Projects, and Low-Income Projects.
It is currently awaiting certification as a 501(c)3 (nonprofit status).
CONTACT: Liv Nevin Gifford
lgifford@emoregon.org
(541) 929-4167
PO Box 2189
Corvallis, OR 97339
info@tenriversfoodweb.org
www.tenriversfoodweb.org
Lane County
Willamette Farm and Food Coalition
(formerly Lane County Food Coalition)
(formerly Edible City Food Coalition)
(formerly Edible City Resource Center)
It has subcommittees for projects and events, such as the Food On! Farm to Cafeteria Program, Buy Local, Buy Lane Campaign with a directory, local food celebrations, action groups, surveys, film events, and a USDA Community Food Projects Grant. Other subcommittees include the Research Committee, Resource Development Committee, Nominating Committee, and the Executive Committee. It is under the Worm Digest, but is transitioning to autonomy. WFFC has10 board members who meet every two months. It has two staff members. All meetings are open to the public.
CONTACT: info@lanefood.org
(541)341-1216
PO Box 41672
Eugene, OR 97404-0389
Mariah Levitt, Community Food Advocate
(541)343-2822
http://www.lanefood.org
SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia
South Carolina Food Policy Council
Created in 2005 under the State Department of Agriculture, the South Carolina Food Policy Council is a nine-member board with six subcommittees including Agriculture and Food Infrastructure, Agriculture and Sustainability, Consumer Awareness and Education, Food Accessibility and Community, Food and Nutrition, Food Safety and Food Service. It issues an annual report with recommendations to the state Commissioner of Agriculture.
CONTACT: Beth Crocker, General Counsel
bcrocker@seda.sc.gov
(803) 734-2193
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Columbia, SC 2911-1280
TENNESSEE
Knox County
Knoxville/Knox County Food Policy Council
This was the first FPC in the United States. It was formed in 1982 based on a food system study by professor Robert Wilson. It uses a food monitoring system of data to inform decision and effectiveness of food policy. In 2002 it expanded to include the entire county. Now it focuses on improving nutrition education in schools like low-income breakfast programs. It produces newsletters plus workshops and forums for the public, it gives out “calorie conscious consumer” awards for business and works with 27 community and school gardens.
It has 11 volunteer members, 5 of which are chosen by the major and 6 by the county executive. There are 4 staff people including a planning consultant. it seems to be shifting to include nonvoting members representing stakeholder groups. The city provides $4000/yr. Grants pay additional staff costs.
CONTACT: Duane Gregg, chair
duane_gregg@hotmailcom
5438 Malachi Circle
Knoxville, TN 37918 or
Chris Woodhull
chriswoodhull@bellsouth.net
(865) 546-3500 www.cityofknoxville.org/boards.food.asp
UTAH
Salt Lake City
Utah Food Council
Under the State Department of Agriculture and Food, the Utah Food Council has nine members and four ex-officio members. It’s accomplishments include the launching of a “Utah’s Own” campaign to increase consumption of state-grown food and support the rural economy. Membership is largely businesses, but also includes academics and representatives from the farm bureau. Members make up the Utah Food Strategy Team, committed to persuading consumers to “Buy Utah.”
CONTACT: Richard Sparks
rsparks@utha.gov
(801) 538-7100 or
Jim Ure
jimure@jimure.com
(801) 467-0893 or
Gina Cornia, Utahans Against Hunger
conria@uah.org
(801) 328-2561
(800) 453-3663
www.statefoodpolicy.org/utah_fpc.htm
WASHINGTON
King County
Food Policy Council of Seattle and King County
Since May 2006 it has written a series of education papers, a local Thanksgiving campaign, started to look into farm to institution policy. An accomplishment is the insertion of language around the food system into the King County Climate Change Plan.
It collaborates with Washington State University through the King County Extension, the city of Seattle, and county governments.It has 15 members from different sectors and monthly meetings.
CONTACT: Sylvia Kantor
sylvia.kantor@metrokc.gov
WSU King County Extension
200 Mill Ave. S., Ste 100
Renton, WA 98057
(206) 205-3131
http://king.wsu.edu/foodandfarms/foodpolicycouncil.htm
WISCONSIN
Dane County
Dane County Food Systems Council
This FPC was created and funded in 2005 by the local government. It released a web-based “Guide to Food and Agriculture Initiatives in Dane County”, it launched the Farmers’ Market Alliance of South Central Wisconsin, motivated a movement for institutional purchasing of local food, supported for the market Basket Program that supplies food from the Rainbow Farmers Cooperative to low-income consumers It organized the “planting Seeds for Our Future” conference. Also, it participated in the Food For Thought Festival and Wisconsin Local Food Summit. Subcommittees include Farmers Market Network, Institutional Food Purchase, Market Basket, Education and Outreach. It has two staff members and general meetings meet the fourth Monday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
CONTACT: Dawn Burgardt, program coordinator
burgardt@co.dane.wi.us
(608) 266-4540
210 Martin Luther King Jr.Blvd. Rm 362
Madison, WI 53703
www.co.dane.wi.us/foodcouncil