Starting February 2007, the KC Healthy Food Policy Initiative was formed to study the current food system, identify its shortcomings, and determine how best to improve it. The Initiative has held regular meetings among more than 100 community stakeholders to analyze the food system and consider opportunities to improve it. They concluded that a food policy council would be the most effective way to improve the system. A food policy council focuses solely on improving the food system and it can transcend organizational boundaries and unite diverse interests around this common goal.
The KC Healthy Food Policy Initiative is now working toward the establishment of a food policy council. Earlier this year, KC Healthy Kids sponsored Mark Winne, a national expert on food policy councils, to speak to Initiative participants. He explained that establishing a food policy council is a complex, multi-level process, requiring widespread community involvement and broad stakeholder input and support. Legislative enactment or executive appointment may be required at some point. These steps will take time, continuing effort, ongoing education and broad relationship-building.
Through support from KC Healthy Kids, the Initiative is now undergoing a strategic planning process to determine its strategic initiatives and to formally establish itself. They are considering the following issues:
- Determining the best structure for the food policy council and identifying the authorizing body;
- Determining the appropriate jurisdictional level and geographical area for the food policy council;
- Conducting or locating a community food assessment;
- Creating and distributing a concept paper to document the need for a food policy council; and
- Seeking a “champion” to promote/support the concept.
Success will be measured by progress on these and other steps to establish a food policy council. In winter 2009, a Healthy Food Policy Summit will be held to reunite all Forum and Initiative participants and to formally report on progress.
Reference Materials
Core Group Materials
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