What is a Food Policy Council?
A Food Policy Council (FPC) coordinates food system players in the food system within a given geographic/jurisdictional boundary. The food system is made up of growers, processors, distributors, retailers, consumers, and composters. Food Policy Councils range from municipal, county, regional, or state levels of governance. Put another way, “The central aim of most Food Policy Councils is to identify and propose innovative solutions to improve local or state food systems, spurring local economic development and making food systems more environmentally sustainable and socially just,” says Mark Winne, a community food activist who has been referred to as the ‘father of food policy work.
The Spokane Food Policy Council will hold community meeting and form partnerships to work on identified food issues. We look forward to working alongside leaders in our region’s food system. Our partners are essential in addressing the plan’s priorities: Farmland Preservation, Increasing Local Food Processing, Healthy Food for All, and Reducing Food Waste. Please contact us to share your thoughts and learn more!
Email: foodpolicy.spokane@gmail.com
About the Spokane Food Policy Council:
The Spokane Food Policy Council, established in 2013, is comprised of local stakeholders including representation from Spokane Regional Health District, Second Harvest, Catholic Charities, Washington State University Extension, SNAP-Ed, farmers, ranchers, regenerative agriculturists, academia, local business owners and food service workers. Members volunteer and bring expertise from various areas of the regional food system and collaborate to improve our local food system for all. The Food Policy Council is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The Food Policy Council serves all people by focusing our work on growing equity through our regional food system. We strive to recruit council members who represent diverse populations and have lived experience with food insecurity or are subject-matter experts in their respective field. Importantly, we also partner with organizations who serve disproportionately impacted people, and the Food Policy Council serves as a conduit to elevate their voices and solve the problems we know people are experiencing now, as well as plan for predictable future crises, and ensure decision-makers are made aware of policy-change solutions
The Food Policy Council advocates for policies and strategic investments in the local food system that will result in greater prosperity and better public health outcomes throughout our community.