Food Policy Resources

The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future hosted a panel discussion with Chloe Marshall from the National Farm to School Network and Mollie Van Lieu from the United Fresh Produce Association on the process for reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.  This important act legislates school meal and child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and was last reauthorized in 2010 in the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act. View the recording to learn about the process for reauthorization, what is to come in the next few months, and how food policy councils can engage in the reauthorization process.

Supermarkets sit at a critical juncture and play an important role in determining how and what food we buy. During this Edible Inquiries discussion, Dr. Allison Karpyn and Darya Minovi discussed how supermarkets use placement, promotion, and price to induce impulse purchases of unhealthy foods and how similar strategies can be used to nudge healthier purchasing. What does the current research tell us about the effectiveness of shelf tagging, product placement in the store, and taste testing? And what are effective retail policies at the state and local level that communities can pursue to create a food retail environment that supports healthy eating?

Presenters: Allison Karpyn and Darya Minovi

The Food Policy Networks project at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future welcomed Elle Mari with the Urban Growers' Collaborative in San Diego, CA; Adam Kay, co-founder of Brightside Produce in St. Paul, MN; and Isabel Eljaiek with Tricycle Urban Ag and Culture in Richmond, VA for a conversation about innovative projects that connect local producers with small retailers.

The Food Policy Networks project at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future welcomed Gina Cornia, Executive Director, Utahns Against Hunger; Cherie Jamason, Director of Ending Hunger Initiatives, Food Bank of Northern Nevada; and Micheline Hynes, Nutrition Services Manager, Tarrant Area Food Bank for a conversation about the relationship between anti-hunger organizations and food policy council in leading policy changes in their communities and states.

Presented by: Gina Cornia, Micheline Hynes, Cherie Jamason.

Many food policy councils (FPC) work to improve the food system by engaging in public policy advocacy, which includes lobbying. This guide explains the legal definitions and laws applicable to lobbying to help FPCs understand how they can influence the decisions of local, state, and federal government officials. It addresses topics that every FPC should consider before engaging in lobbying and examines the different organizational structures of FPCs and how those differences affect how FPCs may lobby.

Created by: Clarissa Chen, Raychel Santo, Becca Ellison and Ashley Maiolatesi.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality worked with Portland State University's Community Environmental Services to conduct a five-part study on wasted food generation in the State of Oregon. The Oregon Wasted Food Study tracked wasted food in both urban and rural households—using quantitative and qualitative research methods—to increase our understanding of how much, what, and why food is discarded by Oregonians. The main research objectives were to understand the causes of waste, collect reliable data on wasted edible food, and provide basic methods for establishing wasted food baselines and assessing shifts in waste prevention behaviors or levels of awareness.
 
Created by Christa McDermott, Debi Elliott, Laura Moreno, Cameron Mulder, Reed Broderson

Dayton has been hard hit by grocery store closures in low-income areas. Instead of begging the big companies to stay, the community took the lead and is building a worker-owned, community-controlled co-op grocery store. These photos are from the Annual Membership Meeting. Upon proof of membership, each person receives a green and red card. Throughout the evening, various options are debated and then put to a vote of the members. Decisions aren't made in New York by looking at a spreadsheet; they are made in a community center looking at the neighborhood. The Hall Hunger Initiative proudly supports Co-op Dayton, the lead organization bringing a community-run grocery to the people. We're not building a grocery store; we're building a movement!

Image credit: Mark Willis; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

The community ‚ Eat a Rainbow, garden in Ludington, Michigan engages youth ages 4-7 years old in gardening activities throughout the summer. LiveWell Mason County Food Council has supported this effort for two years, engaging in a collaboration between the Lakeshore Food Club and MSU Extension. As a sustainable community effort, additional garden beds were added this year, and students were able to donate produce to the food pantry twice. This is an exciting programming effort because children help plant, tend, and harvest this garden. They learned where food comes from and what creates a healthy plate. Even as young children, they begin to realize that they have a food voice that can impact not only their family but the community where they live. Often, there were surprises waiting in the garden. American historian, Alice Morse Earle said, Half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination.  When tomatoes and zucchini are growing out of control, and they seem to double in size overnight, children use their imaginations to consider other possible uses for these amazing garden creations. Together, we giggled in excitement, admired our harvest, and one student piped up, Baseball anyone?

Image credit: Kendra Gibson; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council has been working on the Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Plan for nearly two years and is getting very close to completion. After completing a several month-long community engagement process, our staff were hard at work analyzing the data that resulted and trying to determine what themed roundtables would round out our Plan. After puzzling over this for a good while, we landed on an approach that we felt was sure to work; aligning sectors from our State of the Food System report with the themes that emerged from our community engagement sessions and then identifying roundtable topics that complimented and filled in the gaps. It was perfect!

But only until we realized that our hardworking scribe was using a permanent marker on the dry-erase board! After a quick photo was snapped Sarah and Karlin got busy furiously trying to clean the whiteboard. And once the dust settled, we spent a bit of time determining who might have mixed a permanent marker in with the whiteboard markers. We're looking at you, Dawn.

Image credit: Mariama Badjie; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

In 2019, the Food Council's Policy Committee created a Licensing Subcommittee to evaluate and address the licensing and regulatory requirements that pose a barrier to culinary educators and instructors, non-profit organizations, and food businesses interested in conducting food demos or sampling. Our subcommittee was comprised of approximately 15 community stakeholders whose business or organization was impacted by the requirements. After four meetings, the group collected research and input to understand the challenges created by the existing regulatory environment, and also assessed the requirements for food businesses and non-profit organizations in neighboring counties, to create a list of recommendations, which were presented by Food Council representatives to the County's Department of Health and Human Services. We will be working with members of the County Council over the next few months to propose legislation that will ease the financial and logistical difficulties related to securing a temporary food service license and farmers market permit. We expect that our efforts will enable dozens of businesses and organizations throughout the County to more easily provide food education to residents, promoting increased nutritional health and a bolstered food economy in Montgomery County.

Image credit: Catherine Nardi; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Throughout 2019, Food Council staff, Council Members, and partners visited Montgomery County Public Schools which have implemented exemplary wellness initiatives that encourage students to make healthier, more conscientious choices. We created a School Wellness Communications Campaign to highlight these schools through our blog and social media, promote a celebration of existing and evolving school wellness initiatives, and encourage schools throughout the County to adopt similar programs. Oakland Terrace Elementary School was the first school featured in the campaign; among the wonderful wellness initiatives at the school is a large school garden. The various gardens within the courtyard, including a colonial garden, sensory garden, woodland garden, and salad science garden, each serve a different purpose and parallel the classroom curriculum so that students can continue their learning in a different environment with a unique lens. The garden also features a composting system, so that students can learn about environmental sustainability and reducing waste. The Food Council's Environmental Impact Working Group is currently engaged in promoting in-school composting efforts, in partnership with County leaders and the County's Department of Environmental Protection, and will continue highlighting the schools that are exemplifying sustainability and wellness measures similar to those at Oakland Terrace.

Image credit: Catherine Nardi; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

The Michigan Local Food Policy Council Network hosted a series of webinars to prepare our membership for our first Legislative Education Day. On this day, food policy councils from across Michigan came together in Lansing to advocate and educate their elected officials on their favorite programs and food systems issues.

Image credit: Vanessa Garcia Polanco ; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

In Michigan, Lake County has 18% of its residents reporting food insecurity. Grand Oaks Nursing Center, MSU Extension, and the Lake County Community Food Council had a shared vision of creating garden beds for Grand Oaks residents and staff. Four community beds and three wheelchair-accessible beds were installed in the facility's patio area. The administration explored best food safety practices for preparing the produce and received approval to be able to offer garden-to-table experiences for these seniors. Even though residents don't get to choose their meals, these gardens evoke positive memories of gardening, canning, and family meals. Glen, a Grand Oaks resident, spent time daily watering and weeding the plants. He asked staff to prepare fresh salads made from the tomatoes and greens that he helped grow. He shared how much he loved the garden and that it gave him something to look forward to. Looking back, our original goal was food security, but this project has also reminded us about the emotional health benefits of growing a garden. British biographer Jenny Uglow reminds us that we may think we are nurturing the garden, but of course, it's our garden that is really nurturing us.

Image credit: Christine Engels; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

To promote healthy and local foods available at the farmers market the Ohio State James Mobile Education Kitchen provided cooking demonstrations on the last Friday of every month at the market. Every day, 150-375 people sampled new recipes as they watched the prep on the truck's television, received recipe cards with that day's meals, and got a Pearl Market tote to encourage spending at the market!

Image credit: Sam Sharkey; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

In 2019, PA Governor Tom Wolf proposed a package of bills (the PA Farm Bill). These proposed bills allocated much needed resources in a variety of areas. Most notably, it included the first state-level allocation of funds specifically for Urban Agriculture projects. This component of the proposal included $500,000 to be distributed in mini-grants and larger, collaborative infrastructure projects. The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC) organized a number of advocacy efforts to gather support for the bill; held and live-streamed an info-session with a representative from the State Dept of Ag, council members contacted various state representatives to express support for the bill and facilitated discussions among PFPC member organizations to develop collaborative proposals. When the bill was passed, the PFPC sent a delegation to the Capitol for the signing ceremony. This photo shows our delegation of Karen Gardner (National Young Farmers Alliance), Hannah Smith-Brubaker (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture), Dana Harris-Yates (PFPC Urban Ag Working Group Co-chair), Dawn Plumer (PFPC), Karlin Lamberto (PFPC) smiling big in front of the Capitol. Side note: Once the bill was approved and the Urban Agriculture Infrastructure grants were awarded Pittsburgh and Allegheny County organizations were awarded 19% of the 500K.

Image credit: Karen Gardner; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

On October 8, #DontMuteMyHealth leaders, ambassadors and partners held a press conference on the steps of the D.C. Council building to introduce the Healthy Beverage Choices Act of 2019, a sugary drink tax effort designed to combat the negative health impacts of sugary drinks on communities of color in the District. The 30 gallons on the steps represent the amount of sugary beverages that an average child drinks in a year.

Image credit: LaDon Love; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

To promote the Pearl Market, Sam (the market manager) dressed up as a sunflower to hand out flyers two times a month during the summer. She definitely got some stares walking around downtown Columbus, OH as a flower pot, but it put a smile on everyone's face!

Image credit: Franklin County Food Council, Peal Farmer's Market; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Ottawa Food implements a Produce Donation Program at local farmers markets, where shoppers are encouraged to purchase extra produce and donate it to community members in need. This little boy brought a donation of blueberries when his grandmother (Ottawa Food member) was collecting donations at the Holland Farmers Market. Afterward, he decided to have his own free produce stand at home!

Image credit: Deb Ralya; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

This soil was made from yard and kitchen debris diverted from the urban waste stream and was used to educate community members on how to produce their own fresh, healthy and organic food. Everybody wanted to know what was going on with the wagon. Then they enjoyed the tomatoes.

Image credit: Susanna Dzejachok; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Our photo was snapped on one of our FarmHop farm tours in September 2019. For the past three years, our food council has organized a series of farm tours of local, family farms in our region to allow the public a chance to see what small farms really look like and get to know the people who grow our food. Raising awareness in the general public about the needs of our farmers is a daunting task and requires excellent storytelling, consistent messaging and above all, an opportunity for consumers to emotionally and personally connect with producers. Through the FarmHop tours, we've increased year-round local farmer sales and facilitated valuable business connections (including peer-to-peer mentoring between farmers!). On evaluations, 100% of FarmHop guests reported that they would attend again and that the experience has changed how they view and value food. The two little girls in this photo (Teagan on the left, Frankie on the right) just finished milking Red, an alpine goat, at The Pioneering Pig Homestead. Sandy was particularly fond of Frankie and leaned in to give her a goat kiss, and we captured Frankie's sweet little recoil and Teagan's amusement.

Image credit: Anne Massie; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2019.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.