State Level Food Policy Council: Common Policy Objectives



State Food Policy Council Update as of March 2010—Compiled by Alyse Alvord for Diane Beth, Nutrition Manager with the Physical Activity & Nutrition Branch, NC Division of Public Health

Document includes state food policy council missions, objectives, council organization and strategies, current projects, accomplishments and legislation, and state level policy recommendations.

(See abbreviated version of this in attached spreadsheets) for the following states:

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

Connecticut

Idaho

Illinois

Kansas

Maine

Massachusetts

Michigan

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

South Carolina

Virginia

During the past couple months of research it appears that the following state-level Food Policy Councils are not currently active, despite their presence on CDC, Drake or CFSC databases:

- Colorado

- Iowa

- Missouri

- Utah

Other food policy councils have either come into existence since the other databases have been updated. They include:

- North Carolina (had state food policy council for 2-3 years, it disbanded and now via state legislation has been restarted as the NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council)

Next step in process would be to develop a survey to send to state fpc contacts to ensure information is accurate and glean other information that the Sustainable Food Systems workgroup, in cooperation with CDC and other partners would want to collect.

State Level Food Policy Councils: Missions

Alaska Food Coalition

- Strengthen and coordinate public and private food and nutrition assistance programs in the state and to educate policy makers about Alaskan food needs

Arizona: Community Food Connections

- To grow strong communities, healthy food, healthy families and healthy farms;

- To improve access to healthy food in underserved areas through expanding outlets for and production of local food. Our programs create jobs, support micro-enterprise development and build family self-sufficiency

Arkansas

- The Arkansas Food Policy Council was developed as a nonpartisan group to emphasize the connection between health, food and farm policy that make buying healthful foods an economically feasible choice, and to keep farmers on the land by working to develop healthy and diverse regional food systems.

Illinois Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council

- To facilitate the growth of an Illinois-based local farm and food product economy that revitalizes rural and urban communities, promotes healthy eating with access to fresh foods, creates jobs, ensures a readily available supply of safe food in an emergency event, and supports economic growth through making local farm or food products available to all Illinois citizens.

Kansas

- To bring together a diverse group of public and private sector stakeholders to examine food systems in the state. The KFPC makes policy recommendations regarding ways in which the food system and related practices can be improved to enhance the health of the Kansas population, strengthen local economies and market opportunities, improve coordination and efficiency, protect the environment, and reduce hunger and food insecurity

Massachusetts Food Policy Alliance

- To bring together diverse stakeholders across the food system, from farmers to consumers, to create a sustainable, systemic, effective and inclusive food policy for Massachusetts

New York State Council on Food policy

- Preserve and enhance agriculture, food and production and ensure access to safe, affordable, fresh and nutritious food

New Mexico

- Identify key food and agriculture policy issues and opportunities and address these priorities when set forth by the Council. The council works to build the capacity of agencies, organizations, individuals and communities to advocate for local, state and national food and agriculture policies that most benefit all New Mexicans.

North Carolina

- It is the purpose of the North Carolina Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council to contribute to building a local food economy, thereby benefiting North Carolina by creating jobs, stimulating statewide economic development, circulating money from local food sales within local communities, preserving open space, decreasing the use of fossil fuel and thus reducing carbon emissions, preserving and protecting the natural environment, increasing consumer access to fresh and nutritious foods, and providing greater food security for all North Carolinians.

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Ohio

- Collect and analyze information on the production and process of foods in Ohio, as well as the patterns of food consumption

- Protect Ohio’s valuable farmland and water resources by encouraging the growth of food products in Ohio

- Provide those in need with greater access to fresh and nutritious foods

- Assist Ohio’s farmers and business in marketing their food products inside and outside of the state

- Develop strategies to link producers and consumers in local food systems

Oklahoma Food Policy Council

- Assist in developing sustainable food and farming systems by:

- Supporting farms that provide economic goods and ecological/ environmental benefits, and enhance the quality of life of farm families, rural residents and society as a whole;

- Promoting markets made up of independently owned and operated farms and firms of a scale appropriate to offer a wide variety of product choices for consumers and economic opportunities for farmers;

- Encouraging communities to protect land from misuse, exploitation, and urban development, to ensure opportunity for all; to promote food security; and support economic development

- Proclaiming the need for a culture that respects the earth and all of its diversity of life, and recognizes the physical, social and spiritual connections between people within a higher order of things.

South Carolina

- The purpose of the organization is to provide a forum for stakeholders in the food, health and agricultural sectors to share ideas, collaborate on solutions and research, investigate and report on the food systems in South Carolina, the sustainability of agriculture in South Carolina and how it affects the people of South Carolina.

Virginia

- To strengthen Virginia’s food system from farm to table with an emphasis on access to local food, successful linkages between food producers and consumers, and a healthy, viable future for Virginia’s farmers and farmland

State Level Food Policy Councils: Objectives

Alaska

- Explore new and innovative ideas to help feed Alaska’s hungry.

- Help build the capacity of Alaskan communities to feed the hungry through our grant program, and our face-to-face meeting of all members once each year.

- Work to leverage our valuable state dollars and aggressively pursue funding from outside sources.

- Expand membership of the Alaska Food Coalition to better meet Alaska’s hunger problem.

Connecticut:

- Recommend and support legislation that promotes food security.

- Educate the public and policy makers about our food system.

- Promote the preservation of farming and farmland.

Illinois

- identify land preservation and acquisition opportunities for local and organic

- identify farmer training and development by expanding training programs

- identify financial incentives, technical support, and training necessary to help Illinois farmers to transition to local, organic, and specialty crop

- identify strategies and funding needs to make fresh and affordable Illinois-grown foods more accessible, with an emphasis on creating new food outlets in communities that need them

- identify financial/ technical support necessary to:

o build connections between landowners, farmers, buyers, and consumers;

o build a local food infrastructure of processing, storage, and distribution;

o develop new food and agriculture-related businesses for local food and organic food production and distribution; e.g. on-farm processing, micro-markets, incubator kitchens

o expand development of farmers markets, roadside markets, and local grocery stores in unserved/ underserved areas;

o creation of year-round public markets in Chicago and other large communities;

- Identify & coordinate best practices for the development of local/ organic food production;

- identify opportunities to educate the public and producers about the benefits of local foods systems and about the development opportunities provided through this Act

- identify legal impediments to local/ organic food production; develop remedy recommendations

Kansas

- Increase the regional production and marketing of food products.

- Streamline and clarify the rules and regulations governing direct-marketed foods to provide increased marketing opportunities for Kansas farmers.

- Promote the use of regionally produced foods in programs serving at-risk populations.

- Support the development and implementation of new community-based regional food policy councils within Kansas.

- Improve communication and coordination among programs providing food assistance to at-risk populations, and streamline eligibility determination processes.

- Improve participation rates in government-sponsored nutrition assistance programs.

- Improve the health of Kansans through improved school-based nutrition, reduction of childhood obesity, and other nutritional initiatives, working in coordination with the Governor’s Healthy Kansans Initiative.

- Maximize nutritional density of foods, clean water, and air quality through improvements in agricultural practices.

Massachusetts

- Increase local food production, sales and consumption

- Expand access to and consumption of state and regionally produced foods across socio-economic groups

- Sustain and enhance the state and regional agricultural economy

- Promote environmental sustainability in the state and regional food system

- Improve the health of state residents as it relates to our food system

- Protect state farmland

- Support the next generation of food producers in the state and the region

Michigan

- Increase economic activity in Michigan resulting in new and expanded businesses and jobs across all food-related sectors in this state.

- Strengthen Michigan’s communities with food-related revitalization projects.

- Increase access to fresh and healthy Michigan-grown foods, especially for school children, low-income families, at-risk seniors, and inner-city residents.

- Promote institutional and public purchase and consumption of Michigan-grown and -processed foods.

- Enhance the viability of small- to mid-scale family farms in Michigan by promoting direct farm marketing, sustainable agriculture, agri-tourism and other initiatives.

- Preserve farmland and amplify the environmental benefits of agriculture by promoting sustainable agriculture practices in Michigan.

- Increase collaboration and communication between state departments in the delivery of food related programs.

- Maximize coordination of existing federal, state, and local resources and capture additional federal resources for Michigan.

- Enhance connections between Michigan growers and Michigan food outlets.

- Encourage the creation of at least 1,000 new food-related jobs in Michigan.

- Expand markets for Michigan agricultural products, including niche markets such as “organically-produced,” “pasture-raised,” and “sustainably-grown” agricultural products, among others.

New Mexico

- Develop, coordinate and implement a food system policy that links economic development, social and environmental impacts with farming, ranching and urban issues.

- Review and comment on proposed legislation and regulations that have an impact on food and agricultural systems.

- Make recommendations to the executive and legislative branches of government on food and agriculture policy.

- Support the development of local markets for agricultural products such as school lunch programs and farmers’ markets by emphasizing the cultural, economic and environmental importance of New Mexico’s food production, and by promoting local purchase of New Mexico’s farmers’ produce and products as a way to increase the agricultural economy.

- Establish ongoing programs and projects to educate the public about food and agricultural systems based upon accurate facts and reliable reports and analyses.

- Promote the viability of local farming and ranching and the retention and recruitment of small farmers and ranchers in New Mexico.

- Increase awareness of and work to prevent food insecurity for New Mexican families and children.

- Develop and support greater access to nutritious foods at reasonable prices for New Mexicans most in need, in both rural and urban communities, and to be sensitive to cultural and traditional food preferences.

- Educate about and promote stewardship and conservation of land, water and resources.

New York

- Maximizing participation in food and nutrition assistance programs;

- Strengthening the connection between local food products and consumers;

- Supporting efficient and profitable agricultural food production and retail food infrastructure; and

- Increasing consumer awareness and knowledge about healthy eating; and improving consumer access to safe and nutritious food.

North Carolina

- Objectives still being developed but wording from state legislation includes…

- Recognizing the positive contributions of North Carolina's agricultural sector to the State's economy and environmental quality, it is the intent of the General Assembly that the Council consider and develop policies regarding the following subjects as they relate to North Carolinians:

1) Health and wellness.

2) Hunger and food access.

3) Economic development.

4) Preservation of farmlands and water resources.

Oklahoma:

- Discuss beyond simple agricultural production to a more comprehensive, food system-wide examination.

- Examine how state and local government actions shape the food system.

- Create a forum for people from different parts of the food system and government to learn more about each other’s goals/projects and to consider how their actions impact other parts of the system.

- Improve nutrition and provision of nutritional information throughout the state.

- Create an infrastructure within the food system that better connects stakeholders.

- Improve economic status of Oklahomans involved in the food system by creating new opportunities, increasing profitability and ensuring food dollars stay local by:

o local processing,

o enhanced distribution,

o direct marketing,

o diversification of products,

o Distribution of information regarding presently under-utilized opportunities.

Virginia

- Expanding and strengthening Virginia’s local food system

- Educating and communicating to the public and key stakeholders a sustainable food system's impact on health, economic development, natural resources, and social well-being

- Identifying barriers to and opportunities for improving the local, regional, and state food system

- Making policy recommendations and implementing strategies to improve the availability and accessibility of healthy, nutritious foods for all Virginians.

State Level Food Policy Councils: Council Organization and Strategies

Alaska

- Meets annually in person and monthly via teleconference; executive committee meets quarterly

Arizona

- Offers workshops to develop community leaders and community solutions that meet local food needs;

- Creates and supports local and regional economic and community development activities like the Downtown Phoenix Public Market and a pilot Farm to Cafeteria Program in order to improve overall quality of life and create healthier choices for Arizona households.

- 501c3 nonprofit with a Board and Staff; develops and coordinates resources, education, information and public policies that will enhance local and regional food and economic systems

Arkansas

- Monthly meetings

Connecticut

- Prepares and submits annual report to the General Assembly

Illinois

- Task force brought together in beginning of 2008 drafter report for General Assembly

Kansas

- Focused on three areas:

o Regional Food Systems: reviews the problems and issues that stand in the way of revitalizing the local food economy, and promotes implementation of new policies that will encourage more local farmers, food processors and food retailers.

o Food Security: targets the problems of hunger and inadequate diets for low income and nutritionally at-risk populations, including the elderly, children, pregnant and nursing women, and incapacitated populations, with the goal of ensuring these groups receive the nutrition they need.

o Human Health and the Environment: focuses on the hard problem of changing how people eat.  Many of our chronic health issues are based on poor nutrition. Issues such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity all have their origins in food and eating habits. A second area of investigation concerns health problems related to how food is produced and the possible incidental ingestion of carcinogens related to an historical switch to prepared and preserved foods instead of home-prepared whole foods.

Massachusetts

- Have a 15 member council of people appointed by various politicians; also have an advisory committee with community members appointed by the council.

- Three meetings, at minimum, per year; meetings open to the public

- Submits an annual report that includes recommendations and progress

- Connect and support local FPCs

- Advocate for state and national policies, programs and funding

- Foster collaboration and coordination for projects, pilots and shared action

- Develop a network of players, best practices, innovations, and resources.

- Inform and educate decision-makers and the public.

- Expand resources from a host of public and private sources.

- Conduct research.

Michigan

- Split into four task forces:

o Task Force A: Expanding Food-Related Businesses and Jobs.

o Task Force B: Improving Access to Fresh and Healthy Foods.

o Task Force C: Promoting Michigan Foods.

o Task Force D: Enhancing Agricultural Viability.

New Mexico

- Issues Committees and their responsibilities:

- Agriculture and Land and Water Stewardship: 1) Identify, educate about and advocate for policies that can maximize opportunities for and overcome obstacles to farming and ranching in New Mexico and Tribal communities throughout the southwest; topic areas include marketing, producer recruitment and retention, and access to land, capital and information. 2) Expand awareness about the role of farming and ranching in environmental stewardship and promote conservation of valuable land and water resources.

- Health and Food Security: Bring attention to the relationship between health and food security. Identify projects and partnerships that promote food security in the state and in Tribal communities. Develop educational materials and policy priorities around nutrition and support projects that encourage and make affordable healthy and culturally appropriate food in schools, workplaces and homes.

New York

- Meets twice per year in different locations; meetings have educational component and opportunity for public comment

- There are four work groups (one for each key issue area)

- Proposed to host public conference calls (focusing on one key issue area) on a quarterly basis or as often as practical; also proposed to host webinars during which experts can share information with stakeholders about current and critical food policy topics as often as practical

- A public health graduate student interns for the NYS CFP; the intern’s project is to complete the online ‘Food and Nutrition Resource Center’

- NYS CFP strives to work in collaboration with other food system networks and planners including town, regional and city governments and agencies, and promote parallel efforts to a State level where applicable.

North Carolina

- Still being determined. Report due in October each year to the state legislature.

Ohio

- Food System Assessment

- Agriculture Viability

- Healthy Food Access

- Market Connections

State Level Food Policy Councils: Current Projects

Alaska

- Gather evidence regarding rural Alaska anti-hunger network and the impact of 170e3 (entitles corporations to a tax deduction for contributions to public charities).

- Create an outreach plan for anti-hunger work in Southwest Alaska.

- Participate in the 2009 Hunger Study in conjunction with Feeding America. Collaborate with Feeding America to publish the complete data. 

- Continue working with Food Bank of Alaska and Alaska School Nutrition Association on the School Meals Initiative. Regularly contact legislators regarding anti-hunger efforts throughout the state.

- Distribute mini-grants to food programs in the state to improve their ability to distribute food.

- Maintain the Alaska Food Coalition network through teleconferences and annual meetings.

- Offer organizational development opportunities to members: this includes information on how to get more food to more people, raise more money, be organizationally effective and make a difference in the lives of their clients by advocating for local, state and national change.

Arizona

- Arizona Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; goals: Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income women and children; Supporting local farmers' markets

- EBT at Farmers' Market Project.  

- Downtown Phoenix Public Market

Connecticut:

- Advocates for farmland preservation have requested an additional $50 million in authorized bonding funds from the State Legislature for the next bi-annual budget. At an average cost of $3,000 per acre, this could preserve another 17,000 acres.

New York

- Rebuilding Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market

- Fresh – Food – Banks: encouraged farmers to donate fresh produce to food banks; in both 2008 and 2009, New York State farmers donated more to food banks than any other state in the nation! In 2008 and 2009, approximately 3.97 and 3.3 million pounds (respectively) of farm product were

- EBT Pilot Project: A number of terminals have been distributed to farm stands, Green Carts, and mobile markets through this pilot

North Carolina

- To be determined

Oklahoma

- Farm to School Report

- Farm to School Connection: Directory of Agricultural Producers, Crops and Institutional Buyers; result of survey of school food service directors. Survey Findings: many schools were interested in buying locally groan foods but did not know what was available and how to connect with farmers. Armed with these findings, the council compiled the directory which lists state food producers, what they grow, and schools interested in buying. Out of this was born the Farm to School Pilot.

South Carolina

- FPC supports future attempts to pass legislation that would allow for a Statewide Farm to School Coordinator to be operated out of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture; legislation introduced in 2008, but unsuccessful.

Virginia

- Working to expand EBT capabilities

- Working to expand SNAP benefits

State Level Food Policy Councils: Accomplishments and Legislation

Alaska

- Eleven AFC Mini grants were awarded, totaling $10,538.46 for FY2010

Arizona

- Nutrition services at farmers markets statewide,

- The Phoenix Public Market: an indoor venue where local products (food as well as crafts) can be sold 5 days per week.

- Outdoor Phoenix Public Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays

- Developed WIC and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Programs

- Wireless point of sale terminals that can process food stamps at open-air markets

- Farm to School links local farmers with schools to improve nutritional offerings in the cafeterias, often at low-income schools; improves children’s health and helps agricultural economy.

- Governor signed for $600,000 in the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZ DHS) to go towards Senior Nutrition Programs; $160,000 of which will 4,500 low-income seniors with vouchers to shop at state farmer’s markets

- WIC Participants may receive a $30 booklet of checks (10 checks in $3 allotments) to use to buy locally-grown produce at Approved Markets around the state. Approximately 8,000 WIC clients received AZ FMNP checks during the 2006-07 season

Connecticut:

- A new plan to link eligibility for state assistance programs has resulted in more people getting food more efficiently. The FPC simplified the application process for assistance programs by developing a single form to link eligibility across departments (Food Stamps, WIC, Reduced Price School Lunch Program and Husky). Clients no longer have to re-verify income in each case; this has eliminated extra appointments and missed work days. Local food pantry participation has increased since the application process is not as cumbersome.

- Farmland Preservation Program. The state’s goal to preserve 130,000 acres of farmland had lost momentum. In 2000, 1350 acres were preserved; this is more than the total preserved during the prior six years. 

- Changes to bid process have increased opportunities for local food wholesalers. The University of Connecticut, with help from the FPC, addressed the “sole source” policy that gave all of the University’s food supply business to one vendor, thus preventing Connecticut food wholesalers from bidding on University contracts. This requirement was eliminated so locally-owned businesses can now compete for University food supply contracts.

- Improved access to food for seniors, urban and low-income residents.

The Department of Agriculture and Department of Transportation produced a map project that shows the location of Connecticut farms. The Department of Agriculture and Department of Social Services have expanded the Food Stamp program to include coupons for use by senior citizens at Farm Markets. And the Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health are analyzing the use of "Smart Card" technology and eligibility linking for WIC and Food Stamp programs. Legislation to encourage supermarket development in low income communities where affordably priced supermarkets are lacking is being proposed.

- Healthy food in schools. CFPC helped pass the school nutrition bill in Connecticut in spring 2006. The legislation gave public schools incentives for healthy food programs and allows only water, milk and 100% fruit juices to be sold in vending machines and cafeterias.

Illinois

- HB3990:  Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act:

- Section 10 – Procurement goals:

o Goal: 20% of all food and food products purchased by State agencies and State-owned facilities (e.g. correctional facilities, public universities), shall, by 2020, be local farm or food products.

o The Local Food Council shall support that 10% of food and food products purchased by entities funded in part or in whole by State dollars (e.g. public schools, hospitals, child care facilities) shall, by 2020, be local farm or food products

o State contracts for food purchase will give preference to bidders that use local food products, provided that the bid is not more than 10% greater than the bid for non - local food products

o All State agencies and State-owned facilities that purchase food products shall, with the assistance of the Local Food Council, develop a system for:

▪ identifying the percentage of local farm or food products purchased for fiscal year 2011 as the baseline; and

▪ tracking and reporting local farm or food products purchases on an annual basis.

- Section 15 – Creation of Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council

- Section 20 – Responsibilities of the Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council:

o To assist State agencies, State-owned facilities, and other entities with the purchase of local farm or food products and with tracking and reporting of such purchases

o To assist local farm and food entrepreneurs to identify and secure necessary resources and equipment to begin and maintain projects necessary for the development of local food products.

o To facilitate the building of infrastructure necessary to move local farm or food products to local and other markets.

o To support and expand programs that recruit and train Illinois farmers and residents.

o To coordinate interagency policies, initiatives, and procedures promoting local farm and food products in Illinois communities

o To facilitate elimination of legal barriers hindering local farm and food economy development by working with agencies and the Illinois Attorney General to create regulations for the production, storage, distribution, and marketing of local food products.

o To facilitate the use of public lands for growing local farm or food products

o To set annual goals for all purchases of local farm or food products by Illinois residents and to monitor the development and expansion of a local farm and food economy.

o To develop a label and certification program different than the "Illinois Product" label program, whereby a label may be placed on local farm and food products.

o To facilitate public awareness campaigns about local farm and food economic benefits.

- Section 25 – Governance of the Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council:

o Governed by a 35 member board of directors from different departments and sectors; 29 non-state government board members must be appointed by the Governor

o The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council may apply for and establish a not for profit corporation under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986.

o The board of directors shall have all the rights, titles, powers, privileges, and obligations provided for in the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986.                           

o The Local Food Council may solicit grants, loans, and contributions from public or private sources. No debt or obligation of the Council shall become the debt of the State.

o The Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council shall not be considered a State Agency, and its funds shall be considered private funds and held in an appropriate account outside of the State Treasury. An annual report shall also be compiled by the Board.

o The board of directors may employ an executive director, treasurer, other staff, or independent contractors necessary to execute the purposes of this Act.

o The State Governmental agencies represented on the board of directors may re-direct existing staff, as appropriations permit; assist in executing the purposes of this Act; and provide office space, meeting space, and communication services as appropriate.

o The Local Food Council may be assisted by the Department of Agriculture.

- Section 80 – Amendment of Illinois Dept. of Agriculture Law of Civil Administrative Code: 

o The Department has the power to administer the "Illinois Product" label program, whereby a label with the words "Illinois Product" on it may be placed on food and agribusiness commodities produced, processed, or packaged in Illinois. The definition of "Illinois Product" does not imply that the product meets the definition of "local farm or food products" as defined in the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act

o The Department may administer a label and certification program, different than the "Illinois Product" label program, whereby a label with a specific name and unique design or logo may be placed on local farm and food products that are grown, processed, packaged, and distributed by Illinois citizens or businesses located wholly within the borders of Illinois.

- HB 4756 Farmers Market Technology Improvement Program

o Purpose: increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other LINK eligible food products by allowing LINK program participants to redeem their SNAP benefits at farmer’s markets

o State and federal funding will be used to implement this program

Kansas

- Completed third year of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and expansion of it, including proposal for increased state funding

- Completed a pilot project in Lawrence and Wichita to utilize wireless technology at farmers markets for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) swipe cards used to provide benefits to low-income citizens

- Conducted trainings for farmers market managers and vendors

- KDHE organized farmers market near the capitol for state employees during the summer of 2006

- Bringing Freshness to Your Table promotional campaign for Kansas grown foods

Michigan:

- 2009 Additional funding approved by state administrative board to help MFPC implement recommendations

- Property tax incentive for grocery stores in underserved areas signed in July 2008

- Pilot project: EBT at farmer’s markets

New Mexico:

- 2008: New Mexico Grown Produce for School Lunches: $150,000 for additional fruits and vegetables in schools

- 2008: Farmer’s market nutrition enhancement program: $25,000 in base; $32,000 Senate Bill, $52,000 signed by Governor; provides low income residents and seniors with food coupons to purchase fresh produce at more than 25 NM farmer’s markets

- 2008: Tribal Cooperative Extension: $247,000 signed by Governor; expands development of 5 tribal centers focusing on agriculture, health, natural resources and intercultural youth education

- 2008: Small Farm Institute: Sustainable Agriculture Research Education Center: $13,500 Senate; expands Small Farm Institute Program

- 2008: Food Banks Buying NM Agricultural Products: $600,000; provided to NM food banks – meant to be specific to NM produce, though appropriation was not specific to MP produce

- 2008: Support Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Act: $1,500,000

- 2007: HB 264/SB 90 “NM Grown Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for School Lunches”: $85,000; provides NM fruits & vegetables to Valley high schools in Albuquerque public school district

- 2007: HB 86 “Farmers’ Market Nutrition Enhancement Program”: $110,000

- 2007: HB 22, SB 264 “Promote and Develop Farmers Markets”: $100,000

- 2007: HB 273 “New Mexico Food Bank System”: $399,600 in Dept Finance Budget; $200,000 Human Service budget

- 2007: HB 76 “Senior Food Stamp Supplement Program”: $600,000; added to the minimum food stamp monthly allocation for seniors

- 2007: HB 96, SB 692, SB 1103 “NM Tribal Extension Task Force” $150,000 recurring in House Bill and $97,000 in Senate Bill 611; to establish five Tribal Extension Centers for Pueblo and Tribal communities to provide health, agriculture, natural resource, and inter-cultural youth programs.

- 2007: HB 285, SB235 “NMSU Small Farm Institute” $64,000 To initiative a small farm education program at NM State University.

- 2007: “Elementary School Breakfast”; $450,000 in HB2, $2 million in SB611, $450,000 recurring; serve breakfast to 78,200 elementary school children (45% of school children statewide)

- 2007: $500,000 transportation and storage of school meal foods and food bank foods

- 2007: HJM 10 “Create Food Gap Task Force”; Task force created to close NM’s food gap

New York

- New York State’s leadership in allowing WIC mothers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets not just supermarkets

- Significant progress on the coordination of state and city agencies to rebuild the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx

- A dramatically improved supply chain infrastructure that allowed farmers to donate over 7 million pounds of fresh produce to New Yorkers in need

- improved access to and awareness of fresh, local and healthier food choices,

- increased awareness of the social, economic, and environmental benefits of agriculture in our communities

- accepts the new WIC Vegetables and Fruits Checks at farmers’ markets

- EBT Pilot Project: A number of terminals have been distributed to farm stands, Green Carts, and mobile markets through this pilot

- Buy Local Week, Madison County; Restaurants showcased local products on menus. More than 1,000 visitors were recorded stopping at the 24 farms and 3 farmers’ markets in a 6-hour time span

North Carolina

- SESSION LAW 2009-530 (August 2009) helped create AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL TO ADDRESS PROGRAM AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Ohio

- Passed bill to Support for the expansion of funding for the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase program. Now there is an increased level of resources to protect working farms in Ohio and ensure that the land is available for farming for generations to come

- Ohio Department of Agriculture allocated funding for a study of local food distribution for Ohio specialty crops.

- Ohio receives the third largest grant award from USDA to support the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Ohio’s SFMNP has a base award for 2009 of $1,779,625. The award allows the state to serve Ohio-grown produce to 32,033 low income, older adults in 38 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

- The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) developed a grant program for farmers’ markets to create the infrastructure for processing the Ohio Direction Card and assist in outreach to the community.

- The Ohio Department of Agriculture has developed an online “How to” guide for the development of farm to school programs in Ohio.

- Ohio Department of Agriculture has allocated USDA $50,000 funding toward improving the Ohio Market Maker program. Specifically, to conduct outreach to encourage more Ohio producer participation and work with Ohio institutions to get more detailed data on those that are interested in doing local procurement and develop relationships with those institutions.

Oklahoma

- The Oklahoma Farm-to-School Report – contains full analysis of potential for increasing the

amount of Oklahoma-grown and/or processed foods purchased by public institutions in the state and an examination of the importance of increasing local consumption of locally produced foods.

- The Oklahoma Food Connection: a farm-to-school directory that contains information about Oklahoma food producers, what they grow, information about farmers markets, schools interested in buying locally, and a harvest calendar.

- A pilot farm-to-school project began in the fall of 2004. Four school districts (Broken Arrow, Edmond, Shawnee, and Tahlequah) participated in the pilot project in the 2004/2005 school year; in 2005/2006, Tulsa and Muskogee were added. The districts bought Oklahoma-grown seedless watermelons and served them during the first few weeks of school. The Oklahoma Ag-in-the-Classroom program created a fun and educational “watermelon curriculum” to be used in conjunction with the lunchtime watermelon.

- Oklahoma Farm-to-School Program signed into law by Governor in June 2006. The bill establishes a farm-to-school program within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and creates a position for a coordinator whose job is to develop the program statewide. The bill encourages school districts to “purchase…locally and regionally produced foods in order to improve child nutrition and strengthen local and regional farm economies.”

- 2006: 35 school districts – a total of 370 schools – served Oklahoma-grown watermelons and honeydew melons in the cafeteria as part of the Oklahoma Farm-to-School Program.

Virginia

- The Council worked with the Virginia General Assembly to establish a Virginia Farm-to-School Week for the second full week of November.

State Level Food Policy Councils: State Food Policy Recommendations

Illinois:

- Legislation that directs state agencies to align their missions to support this strategy for job creation, public health, and food security;

- Legislation that supports the Local Foods Initiative of University of Illinois Extension;

- Legislation that encourages state institutions to procure at least 20% of their food locally by 2020;

- Legislation that assembles a team to eliminate regulatory barriers restricting local food production and marketing,

- Legislation that creates the Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council which will be commissioned to facilitate local farm and food system development statewide.

Massachusetts

- increased collaboration and communication among and between state agencies; also between state and federal agencies

- innovative public/private partnerships that can leverage private and public market influence

- changes to federal/ state laws/ regulations/ program implementation relevant to the state food system

Michigan

- Encourage entrepreneurs in agri-food businesses, and support the networks that help them to be successful

- Encourage and support new and existing food processing businesses, and investigate meat-processing needs

- Expand the impact of the Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zones program.

- Pursue outreach and collaboration opportunities that support agri-food businesses and entrepreneurial efforts

- Improve access to fresh and healthy foods by increasing the number of supermarkets and fresh food retail outlets that serve urban low-income populations.

- Improve access to fresh and healthy foods through direct markets.

- Increase the numbers and success of school, community and urban gardens as a means to increase access to fresh and healthy food.

- Increase participation in the Food Assistance Program

- Improve access to fresh and/or healthy foods for low-income children through the Summer Food Service Program

- Incorporate nutrition education and promotion as a part of all food assistance programs.

- Increase access to and support for emergency food resources

- Support the development and institutionalization of the Select Michigan Program

- Increase the purchase of Michigan-produced foods by Michigan schools for service to students

- Increase the amount of Michigan-produced and/or –processed foods purchased by the Michigan Department of Corrections

- Provide support for developing and improving farmers’ markets in Michigan.

- Encourage and support new opportunities for niche and value added markets.

- Increase promotion and education around Michigan’s diverse agricultural industry and its importance to both the state’s overall economy and to residents’ quality of life.

- Expand and stabilize the farm workforce

- Improve and expand the efficacy and propriety of Michigan State University Extension’s agriculture services and service delivery

New York

- Join the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger by 2015

- Support a Strong Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act

- Codify the New York State Council on Food Policy; Support the passage of legislation that establishes the New York State Council on Food Policy in law.

Key Issue Area 1: Maximizing Participation in Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs

- Increase Public Awareness of Food and Nutrition Programs

- Facilitate Access to Food and Nutrition Benefits by Food Insecure Individuals

- Expand Food and Nutrition ‘Electric Benefit Transfer’ Redemption Options

Key Issue Area 2: Strengthening the Connection between Local Food Products and Consumers

- Support Community and School-Based Food Security Initiatives

- Define ‘Local Food’ and Set Procurement Goals of Local Food

- Promote Healthy School Environments: Explore the ability to increase state contribution to school meals reimbursements by 15 cents per meal within three years. Protect the existing state contribution to Child Nutrition Programs from any further cuts; promote the implementation of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) nutritional standards for school meals within current regulations as is feasible; support farm to school and breakfast in the classroom programs.

- Support Direct Marketing Initiatives and Promote Food System Networking; supporting Pride of New York program (which labels NY food); designate a “buy local” week during peak of harvest season

Key Issue Area 3: Supporting Efficient and Profitable Agricultural Food Production and Retail

Food Infrastructure

- Promote Locally Grown and Produced Food Products

- Improve the Production, Distribution, and Marketing Aspects of the Food Industry

- Support a Positive Business Climate for the Agricultural and Food Industries

Key Issue Area 4: Increasing Consumer Awareness and Knowledge about Healthy Eating; and Improving Consumer Access to Safe and Nutritious Food

- Proactively Address the Issue of Obesity and Diet-Related Diseases

- Increase Access to Safe and Nutritious Foods by Underserved Communities and Food Insecure Individuals

Ohio:

- Appropriate $95,000 to assemble the disparate databases on food production, processing and consumption in the state, analyze the data and identify any information gaps to assist the Ohio Food Policy Advisory Council in establishing benchmarks for local food systems in the state.

- Utilize the Farm Bill Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program in Ohio elementary schools. Educate producers on the procurement process as a model to encourage the use of Ohio grown and raised agricultural products including fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy products in Ohio schools. Encourage the Department of Education to advise school districts regarding local purchasing directives in the procurement process.

- Expand and fund the Ohio Food and Agricultural Clearance Program to 17 million dollars per year / 34 million per biennium to provide wholesome, Ohio grown, fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy items to Ohioans with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

- Access all available federal funds through coordination and collaboration and provide sufficient state resources to expand nutrition education and promotion efforts for the following programs:

- Support food policy changes that provide food stamp categorical eligibility and provide simplification to reduce barriers and provide access to all food assistance programs.

- Support the expansion of funding for the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program.

- Staffing at the Ohio Department of Development for a full time agricultural economic development professional to work on agricultural issues other than energy.

- The Agricultural Viability Task Force begin the process of review to examine the feasibility of creating a revolving loan fund or grant option for farmers who donate agricultural easements to the state farmland preservation program.

- Direct resources ($50,000) toward improving the Market Maker program. Specifically, conduct outreach to encourage more Ohio producer participation and work with Ohio institutions to get more detailed data on those that are interested in doing local procurement and develop relationships with those institutions.

- To create and retain jobs and leverage existing investment two million dollars should be appropriated to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Marketing Division to support a comprehensive public education and marketing campaign for Ohio grown and raised products.

- Create a directory of existing low/no interest loans, grants and tax incentive programs available for agricultural businesses focused on local food systems to be housed and maintained at the Ohio Department of Development.

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