The food system plays a central role in the health of our citizens. It dictates access, quality, affordability and the nutritional value of the food we consume. The state of children’s health is inextricably related to the quality of our food system.
Unfortunately, healthy, nutritious, accessible and affordable food eludes many people, which, in turn, undermines health. Gaps include hunger and food insecurity, lack of fair prices for farmers, lack of fresh local food in schools and institutional settings, lack of full service grocery stores in low income communities, lack of knowledge on what food is nutritious, and lack of knowledge on how to prepare nutritious meals. Various organizations attempt to fill these gaps, and many alleviate suffering in the short run, but they lack the coordinated, broad-based structure and sufficient expertise and funds to provide comprehensive, ongoing solutions.
At this point, positive changes in public policy and awareness will offer our community its best chance to improve our local food system. The Healthy Food Policy Initiative, detailed in these web pages, has decided that establishing a food policy council in Greater Kansas City will allow us to focus solely on improving our food system, transcend organizational boundaries, and unite diverse interests around this common goal.
|
|
|
