Tools for Policy Change: Putting Local and
State Food Policy to Work for Your
Communities
June 19, 2013
2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
*This call will be recorded.
Using GoToWebinar
•
During presentations, please type any questions into the box in your
dashboard, and we’ll address them at the end of the session.
•
This seminar will be recorded; a link will be sent to all call registrants
within one week of the call along with a link for the slides.
•
Questions? please contact foodday@cspinet.org.
Call Agenda
1. Catherine Kastleman, Project Coordinator, Food Day
2. Mark Winne, Independent Consultant, Mark Winne Associates
3. Chris Peterson, Executive Director, Grow Memphis
4. Nate Rosenberg, Farm to Institution Subcommittee,
Mississippi Food Policy Council
5. Q & A
Food Day Leadership Series
•
•
•
•
•
March 20, 2 pm ET: “Policy Advocacy 101” with CCPHA
April 17, 2 pm ET: “Building Coalitions” with Michael Dimock
May 15, 2 pm ET: “Community Change” with CommonHealth Action
June 19, 2 pm ET: “Tools for Policy change” with Mark Winne
July 17, 2 pm ET: “Making your point to the media” with George
Lakoff and the Berkeley Media Studies Group
Register and find archived webinars at www.foodday.org/webinars
Mark Winne
•
•
•
•
•
Former Executive Director, Hartford Food System
Co-founder, Community Food Security Coalition
Kellogg Foundation Food and Society Fellow
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Visiting Scholar
Member of U.S. Delegation to 2000 Rome Conference on
Food Security.
• Author of Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in
the Land of Plenty and Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners,
and Smart Cookin’ Mamas.


Mark Winne

Food Policy Councils are popping up all over…
http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=494cdc0977d54b258
26458a8105fce73

Current position
o Independent consultant at Mark Winne Associates
o Writer and author

Previous positions
o Executive Director, Hartford Food System (1979-2003)
o Co-founder Community Food Security Coalition(CFSC), Hartford Food Policy
Council, Connecticut Food Policy Council, and Santa Fe Food Policy Council

Author of:
o Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, and
Smart-Cookin’ Mamas and Closing the Food Gap

Websites
o www.markwinne.com

Email: win5m@aol.com.




Increase the state of our food policy knowledge and our
ability to influence food policy
Review “best practices”
Evaluate potential of food policy councils
Introduce resources
“No major famine has ever occurred in a
functioning democracy with regular elections,
opposition parties, basic freedom
and a relatively free media
(even when the country is very poor).”
-Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate
Projects | Partners | Policies

Food and farm projects, businesses, and services

Partnerships to improve networking, coordination, and
collaboration

Engage local and state policies




Function as: food system planning venues
Bring together members from:
government, academia, farmers and
gardeners, food banks, restaurants,
retailers, and faith communities
Focus on: health, planning, economic
development, education, agriculture, and
social services
Address: regulations, budgeting,
legislations, programs and administration
They should:
 Influence policies that promote justice, equity, and
sustainability
 Coordinate food system stakeholders within area
NOT:
 Favor projects over policies*
 Take on the forces of multi-national agribusiness
Created by:
 State statute (Connecticut)
 Local ordinance (Portland, OR)
 Executive order (Michigan)
Also, FPCs can be organized:
 Independently (New Mexico and Cleveland, OH) and
 as non-profits (Iowa).

Check for state, local, and
tribal FPCs here (as of April
2012):
http://www.foodsecurity.org
/FPC/council.html
Table 1: Frequency, Percent of Total, and Percentage
Change of Active and Emerging FPCs
Local
County/Local
County
Regional
State/Provincial
Tribal
U.S.
Canadian
Total**
Frequency (#)
OLD LIST
NEW LIST
47
73
N/A
15
37
46
7
25
20
29
0
5
100
180
11
13
111
193
Source: 2012 FPC Census
% Change
55%
N/A
24%
257%
45%
N/A
80%
18%
74%
Table 2: Frequency, Percent of Total, and Percentage
Change of ALL FPCs
Frequency (#)
OLD LIST
NEW LIST
% Change
Active
111
155
40%
In Development
N/A
38
N/A
Inactive
N/A
23
N/A
Total of All FPCs
111
216
95%
Source: 2012 FPC Census
Figure 1: Percentage of Active Food Policy Councils
by Governance (2012)
Unknown
4
Government-Appointed
40
Independent
111
0
Source: 2012 FPC Census
50
100
150
Alabama
State: North Alabama Food Policy Council
Web: http://www.hsvgreenlink.com/fopoco/
Local: Greater Birmingham Community Food Partners
Web: www.gbcfp.org
Local: Birmingham-Jefferson Food Policy Council (NEW!)
http://www.gbcfp.org/2011/09/birmingham-jefferson-foodpolicy-council-apply-now/
Figure 2: Keywords in Names of Active Councils (2012)
Rank Keyword(s)
#
% of
Total
1
Food
153 99%
2
Council
109 70%
3
Policy
Something other than Council (Group, Alliance,
Coalition, Network, Initiative, Task Force, etc.)
91
59%
46
30%
19
12%
6
System
Advisory
9
6%
7
Agriculture
6
4%
4
5
Source: 2012 FPC Census
Use Food System Assessments to:
 Inform the work and focus of a FPC
 Engage the wider community
 Develop your community’s food profile
 Educate everyone about needs, gaps,
resources and features of food system
Remember: Don’t over do it! Keep the FPC focused!
FUNDING
 Federal funding:
o Community Food Projects
o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Community funding:
o Foundations
o State, county, local governments
o In-kind support
STAFF
 Most staff members are half-time
 Number of staff: ranges from 0 to 2


Start with low-hanging fruit.
Pay attention to communication.
o Maintain a website and high visibility.
o Communicate regularly with policymakers.


Small policy wins lay the groundwork
for big policy wins.
Keep agendas fresh and interesting
o TIP: Invite outside speakers.

Bring food!




Facilitated school nutrition rules for competitive foods;
Expanded farm-to-school funding;
Expanded funding for NMSU Extension support for tribal
nations;
Working on a new economic development initiative to
address rural “food deserts”
http://www.farmtotablenm.org/policy/
Cleveland/Cuyahoga County FPC



Secured zoning changes to protect community gardens,
urban farms, and raising of chickens and bees;
Expanded urban agriculture with city economic
development funds, and promoted use of public purchasing
for locally grown food
Created the Healthy Cleveland Initiative
http://cccfoodpolicy.org/home
Community Food Agriculture of Missoula County (Montana)




Directing development away from prime farm and
ranchland;
Modified or rejected over 25 subdivision proposals;
Supported chicken and bee regulations;
Mapped prime agricultural soils
http://www.missoulacfac.org/
Boulder County FPC
 Developing sustainable agriculture use plan for 25,000
publicly-owned acres of farmland;
 Rejected proposal to plant genetically engineered (GE)
sugar beet seeds
http://www.bouldercounty.org/gov/boards/pages/fapc.aspx
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Food & Fitness Policy Council


First Native American FPC established through the Tribal
Resolution 10-079 (passed 9/25/10)
FFPC promotes farming, gardening, hunting, traditional
foods, food sovereignty, and healthy eating
City of Hartford Food Policy Commission
 Increased WIC caseload from
6,000 to 10,000
 Initiated public transportation study that
created new bus route to connect lowincome residents to supermarkets
http://www.farmplate.com/local-food/foodpolicy-council/city-hartford-food-policycommission-hartford-ct
Connecticut FPC
 Conducted public education campaign for state’s farmland
and helped secure $30 million per year for farmland
preservation, farm-to-school and farm viability grant programs;
 Improved delivery of nutrition education services previously
operated by five separate state agencies;
 Brought EBT to farmers’ markets;
 Currently addressing lack of livestock slaughter
and processing facilities
http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=3595&q=423834







Relationships count-cultivate them.
Be inclusive of a wide range of interests.
On conflict: Work for consensus. Foster a climate of healthy
debate.
Educate yourselves, the general public, and policy makers
constantly.
Community food assessment is an on-going enterprise, not
a one-time act.
Look for synergy between – and be aware of – relationships
between all levels of government.
Cultivate good leadership and champions.

Good Laws, Good Food: Putting Local Food Policy to Work for Our
Communities (Harvard Law School)
Available for download at www.markwinne.com
Section I: General Legal Setting
Section II: Food System Infrastructure
Section III: Land Use Regulation
Section IV: Urban Agriculture
Section V: Consumer Access
Section VI: School Food & Nutr. Ed.
Section VII: Environmental Sustainability
Section VIII: Resources
 “Doing
Food Policy Councils Right…”
 An example of a FPC manual
o Chapter 1 - Some Why’s and What’s of Food Policy Councils
o Chapter 2 - The Basics of Food Policy Action
o Chapter 3 - Developing a FPC
o Chapter 4 - Putting the “Policy” in a FPC
o Chapter 5 - Operating a Food Policy Council
o Chapter 6 - Evaluating Partnership, Goals, and Accomplishments
o Chapter 7 - Lessons Learned
 Available
at www.markwinne.com.


Email: win5m@aol.com
Background
GrowMemphis partners with neighborhoods in Memphis and Shelby County to promote a sustainable local food
system.
Food Advisory Council
• Mission: To advance policy and practice in Memphis and Shelby County that strengthen food security and the
local food economy
• Vision: A vibrant, sustainable food system for Memphis and Shelby County that enhances the health of residents
and strengthens the local food economy
• Independent/Grassroots coalition convened by GrowMemphis in 2010 (Convergence Partnership: RWJF,
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis with other local partners)
• A Vision for the Future: Good Food For All
• http://growmemphis.org.s96322.gridserver.com/food-policy/
Background
• Initial Working Group:
•
•
•
•
•
Non-profits:
• GrowMemphis
• Healthy Memphis Common Table
• Slow Food Memphis
• Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
Producers/Retailers
• Urban Farms Market
• Adams Produce
Health Care Providers/Research Institutions
• Christ Community Health Service
• University of Tennessee, Health Science Center
Local Business
• Edible Memphis
Government
• Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Shelby County Health Department
Advisors
• Livable Memphis
• Shelby County Health Department
• Hyde Family Foundations
• Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Structure
•
12 Members:
• 3 from Government
• Office of the Memphis City Mayor
• Shelby County Health Department
• Other Memphis City or Shelby County Representative
• 9 from Community
• Farmer and/or agricultural producer
• Restaurateur and/or chef
• Institution of higher learning
• Non-profit sector
• Emergency food assistance agency
• Agricultural extension office
• Local charitable foundation
• Dietitian
• Communications professional
• Memphis Area Transit Authority
• Community member
• Food distributor
Notes on Membership
• Mandated seats for non-affiliated
community members and farmers
• Formality can get distracting
Past Successes
• Advocated for changes to Memphis/Shelby County Unified Development Code
• Urban Chicken Keeping Ordinances
• Beekeeping Ordinance
• Community Gardening clarification
• Worked with Shelby County Health Department to allow for sampling and Chef Demonstrations at farmers
markets
• Worked with Farmers Markets to promote acceptance of SNAP Benefits at Farmers Markets
• (and created Double-Value Coupon Program)
• Partnered with Harvard Law School and Shelby County Health Department to review
• and revise Memphis’ Food Ordinance Handbook
• Unsuccessful Advocacy
• Advocated for changes to TN Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Current and Future Projects
Current Projects
• Finalize changes to Food Ordinance Handbook
• Land Use and Access Working Group
• Corner Store Assessment and Ordinance Project
• Fresh Food Financing Initiative
• Farmers Market Alliance
Additional Work
• Evaluation and Outreach Working Groups
• Tennessee Food Policy Council
Future Goals
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program changes
• WIC Vouchers at Farmers Markets / WIC DVCP
• School Nutrition/Farm to School
Lessons Learned
• When in doubt, keep it simple- structure is important, but must be understandable and changeable
• Policy documents look nice, but won’t do the work for you
• It’s rarely if ever “us vs. them” with government
• Democracy can be messy, but the community knows best
• One person shouldn’t do all of the work or drive the agenda
• Invite, engage, and listen to non-council members
• Do NOT forget the voices of those most affected by your issues (farmers, community members, etc)
• Desire to learn and work is more important than expertise
• The council is a community
Contact and Additional Resources
-Chris Peterson (GrowMemphis, Executive Director): chris@growmemphis.org . 901.552.4298
-Carole Colter (GrowMemphis, Food Policy Coordinator): carole@growmemphis.org
-Food Advisory Council for Memphis and Shelby County:
http://growmemphis.org.s96322.gridserver.com/food-policy/
-TN Food Policy Council: http://www.tnfoodpolicy.org/
MISSISSIPPI FOOD
POLICY COUNCIL
Giving Local Food a
Voice in State Policy
June 19, 2013
Nathan Rosenberg, Joint Fellow, Harvard Law School and Mississippi State University
Food Day Leadership Series: Tools for Policy Change
MPFC Background
MFPC Background
• Small group that started meeting in April 2010
• Saw need for an organization that could bring
together food access and local food groups from
around the state in order to effect policy change.
• Identified priority issues and set goals by August
2010, generating excitement and maintaining
momentum from the outset.
Organizational Structure
•
•
•
•
•
•
MFPC Background
MFPC is completely independent from the state
government.
We work closely with several state agencies,
but they cannot join as voting members.
Now have more than 25 individual and
organizational members
8-person board meets monthly
MFPC holds quarterly educational meetings in
Jackson that are open to the public – next
meeting June 21, 2013
Subcommittees tackle specific issues
Current Subcommittees
•
•
•
•
•
•
Farm to Institution (formerly Farm to School)
Farmers Markets
Food Safety (formerly In-Home Processing)
Food Security
Legislative Liaison
Local Food Systems as Economic Development
What Have We Done?
Farm to Institution
• Mississippi Farm to
School Week and
Interagency Task Force
• Statewide conference
• Guides, surveys, and
online resources
Farmers Markets
• Worked with state
agencies to allow EBT
machines
• Drafted and promoted
legislation authorizing
local gov’ts to fund
markets
• Statewide market
manager survey
Food Safety
• Successfully advocated
for new regulations and
legislation allowing inhome processing
• Studied food safety
practices in neighboring
states
Legislation
• Drafted 4 bills that have
been signed into law
• Drafted 1 resolution
passed by the
Legislature
• Successfully advocated
for 2 regulatory
changes and additional
legislation
How Have We Done It?
More Specifically…
The MFPC Method
• Assess Environment
• Partner with Academic Institutions
• Co-Founder now heads Harvard Food Law
and Policy Clinic, which completes 1 or 2
MFPC projects per semester
• Develop Achievable Goals
• Create Strong Coalitions
Case Study: Farm to School
Creative
Partnerships
Publications
and
Surveys
Conference
and
Trainings
Legislation
Change!
Learn More about MFPC
Visit www.mississippifoodpolicycouncil.com for more information
or contact Nate Rosenberg at nrosenberg@law.harvard.edu
Food Day Leadership Series
•
•
•
•
•
March 20, 2 pm ET: “Policy Advocacy 101” with CCPHA
April 17, 2 pm ET: “Building Coalitions” with Michael Dimock
May 15, 2 pm ET: “Community Change” with CommonHealth Action
June 19, 2 pm ET: “Tools for Policy change” with Mark Winne
July 17, 2 pm ET: “Making your point to the media” with George
Lakoff and the Berkeley Media Studies Group
Register and find archived webinars at www.foodday.org/webinars