Food Policy Resources

During a winter storm, Vanessa Garcia Polanco, 21, RIPFC's youngest member, took a break from her college readings to read the draft RI Food Strategy and prepare her feedback response on it for the RI Director of Food Strategy. Council members and other Rhode Island food system practitioners were engaged in the year-long process of drafting and engaging the community to draft a food strategy with the state's goal for agriculture. the final strategy was released in May 2017. 

Image credit: Vanessa Garcia Polanco, Rhode Island Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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 Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a new option that allows schools with high percentages of low-income children to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. Not only does community eligibility increase participation in school meal programs, but it also reduces labor costs for schools, increases efficiency, reduces stigma, and increases federal revenues. However, the name of the program doesn't express how powerful it is or how it works. Therefore, Maryland Hunger Solutions celebrates schools that use CEP by presenting them with a "Hunger-Free School" banner, as seen in the photo. All public schools in Baltimore City, Dorchester County, and Somerset County are Hunger-Free, thanks to CEP. 

Image credit: Maryland Hunger Solutions; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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 photo is of Charlottesville City School students in the Buford Middle School Garden. They came out to the garden during a PE class to harvest Collard Greens and other garden greens. The students were blown away by the size of the collard leaves. "They're HUGE!" one of the students said as she stuck it in front of her face. After that, all the students started grabbing the large collard greens and putting them over their faces. I asked for a photo, and this is the one that we got! 

Image credit: Emily Axelbaum, City Schoolyard Garden; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

No soil contaminants will escape her inspection! Kids at the Five Loaves Two Fishes Soil Safety Demo Day learn how to be safe while gardening and growing food.

Image credit: Ali Mendelson, Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council Coordinate (FPAC) Coordinator Mary Pham checks out the compost in a recycled chest freezer bin in North Philadelphia. Designed by Let's Talk Trash- a waste reduction education program- this freezer chest is a finalist in FPAC's Compost System Design Competition, which aims to identify an affordable, neighborhood-scale compost system design that can spread community composting initiatives in Philadelphia and beyond. 

Image credit: LeAnne Harvey, Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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 Valentine's day 2017, students across the state participated in the first "Maryland Meals for Achievement Day." Maryland Meals for Achievement is a successful state initiative that expands access to universal breakfast in the classroom in more than 450 high-poverty schools. The program supports both health and learning and has been shown to result in better student attendance, academic performance, and behavior. Unfortunately, the program is underfunded, and many high-poverty schools that want to participate are on a waiting list due to insufficient funding. The goals of Maryland Meals for Achievement Day included raising awareness about the program among schools and legislators with the aim of increasing funding for the program.

On Maryland Meals for Achievement Day, students across the state created special Valentine cards especially for our State's leaders to express their thanks for the program.  In the photo, Michael J. Wilson, Director of Maryland Hunger Solutions, presented some of the Valentines that students created to Senator Richard Madaleno and Delegate Sheila Dixson, two state legislators who championed The Maryland Meals for Achievement for Teens Act in 2017. Photos from the event were also shared on social media using the hashtag #iLoveMMFA.

Image credit: Tam Lynne Kelley, Maryland Hunger Solutions; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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 Montgomery County Food Council was honored to be selected by Whole Foods Markets to be the recipient of a 5% Day on June 22, 2017. On this day, 5% of the net sales from the five Montgomery County Whole Foods Markets were donated to the Food Council. Entertainment and activities were scheduled throughout the day at all five Montgomery County stores, including local product tastings provided by 8 Montgomery County businesses, cooking demonstrations led by 5 chefs featuring local products as key ingredients, a raffle to win a basket of MoCo products, and grocery store bingo for the kids. In addition, 22 Food Council volunteers and 6 staff/interns shared information and resources about the Food Council and their own organizations with shoppers. In this photo, Chef Susan Callahan is visited by our friends and partners from Crossroads Community Food Network, who generously volunteered their time at our 5% Day and also added some humor and whimsy to the event! Chef Susan is preparing Pasta and Potatoes with Early Summer Vegetables using MoCo-made LaPasta linguine and Cherry Glen goat cheese.

Image credit: Heather Bruskin, Montgomery County Food Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Local Produce Link (LPL) is a New York State Department of Health Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program (NYSDOH HPNAP) grant-funded initiative that connects regional farmers with food-insecure communities in New York City. Using the community-supported agriculture model, 9 farmers make weekly deliveries during the growing season to provide fresh produce to food pantries in the five boroughs.

Designed with the hub-and-spoke concept, one food pantry serves as the hub host, receiving 4-6 shares of vegetables during the June- November season. The host keeps a vegetable share while the hub's participating member food pantries pick up the remaining shares to distribute it to clients as part of a balanced food package. An important distinction of LPL is that the vegetables delivered are not gleaned or rescued; the farmers are all contracted with grant funds to grow crops for these pantry communities.

Another unique aspect of the program is the relationship-building that occurs between the pantry communities and the farmers who grow their food. There are annual farm trips when LPL staff invite pantry staff, volunteers, and clients as a group to visit the farms located in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to learn about responsible growing practices directly from their farmers.

This image was captured in July 2017 during the trip to the Farm at Miller's Crossing in Hudson, New York. Following a picnic lunch, farmer Chris Cashen provided a tour of his acreage, including fields planted with cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and corn. Guests were invited to pick ears of corn right from the stalks, and Chris encouraged everyone to try it right there. Here, Mr. Tin Chin is enjoying doing exactly that! This was the first time he had eaten raw corn. He shared, "It popped like popcorn". 

Image credit: United Way of New York City; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Pittsburgh Food Policy Council staff & interns connect with concertgoers at Farm Aid's Annual Homegrown Village. Attendees were asked to write a message to elected officials on paper plates, providing a visual representation for our legislators to understand constituents' concerns on issues ranging from protecting SNAP to supporting our local farm community.

Image credit: Dora Walmsley, Pittsburgh Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

I attended a rally at the FDA where individuals brought in raw milk from PA (where its legal) to Maryland for the rally. Homemade cookies were also passed around and shared with the protesters and the police. The police chuckled and said they couldn't accept, but some laughed and said they grew up on raw milk. It was a peaceful rally full of good cookies, raw milk, and good cheer. Protests can be playful to make a point.

Image credit: Food Passion Project; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Ingenuity - Savi Horne for her innovative and longstanding  work around advocacy and activism

Image credit: Marcus Hill, Forsyth Community Food Consortium; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Food policy change happens in our schools, communities, and backyards. Understanding the food system demands taking an active role in it and listening to the people most impacted by its shortcomings. It involves care, slowing down, and weeding around the wash station.

Image credit: Amanda Chin, The Food Project; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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 County is one of the top-producing agricultural counties in the state of Michigan and one of the most diversified ag-producing counties in the nation (second only to California). Unfortunately, however, not all Ottawa County residents have access to this fresh, healthy, local food. The Ottawa Food Produce Donation Program was designed so farmers market shoppers could purchase extra produce to share with their neighbors in need while supporting local growers. In this picture, grateful senior citizens are selecting from some of the donated produce during the summer of 2017.

Image credit: Jessie Riley, Ottawa Food; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Philabundance, a Feeding America food bank serving 5 counties in Pennsylvania and 4 counties in Southern New Jersey, is working with PA State Senator Daylin Leach on food waste reduction policies. This photo was taken after Senator Leach and his staff participated in a Philabundance gleaning program at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market (PWPM). They, along with other volunteers, picked out 21,000 pounds of perfectly good produce that would otherwise have gone to waste but will now go to people in need. The Senator and his team were able to see first-hand how much good food unnecessarily goes to waste, and we discussed what types of policies could be introduced to help reduce food waste and hunger at the same time. We are grateful to the Senator and his team for their interest in this issue and for agreeing to get their hands dirty!

Image credit: Stefanie Arck-Baynes, Philabundance; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Local Produce Link (LPL) is a New York State Department of Health Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program (NYSDOH HPNAP) grant-funded initiative that connects regional farmers with food-insecure communities in New York City. Using the community-supported agriculture model, 9 farmers make weekly deliveries during the growing season to provide fresh produce to food pantries in the five boroughs. Designed with the hub-and-spoke concept, one food pantry serves as the hub host, receiving 4-6 shares of vegetables during the June- November season. The host keeps a vegetable share while the hub's participating member food pantries pick up the remaining shares to distribute to clients as part of a balanced food package. An important distinction of LPL is that the vegetables delivered are not gleaned or rescued; the farmers are all contracted with grant funds to grow crops for these pantry communities. Another unique aspect of the program is the relationship-building that occurs between the pantry communities and the farmers who grow their food. There are annual farm trips when LPL staff invite pantry staff, volunteers, and clients as a group to visit the farms located in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to learn about responsible growing practices directly from their farmers. This image was captured in August 2017 at Golden Earthworm Farm in Jamesport, New York. Following a picnic lunch, farmers Matt Kurek and Maggie Wood provided a tour of their acreage, including fields planted with peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes. Fatimah was thrilled to pick this tomato, cradling it like a precious gift!

Image credit: United Way of New York City; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

How to communicate the complexity and interconnectedness of the farm bill? We came up with the idea of a train. This allows us to show different ways the titles are connected, how some are bigger than others, and how the bill can pull together or go off the rails. 

Image credit: Amy Kuras, Detroit Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Vanessa Garcia Polanco, 21, and Eliza Cohen,25, the youngest members of the RIPFC, meet with their elected officials in Washington DC for the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Youth Advocacy Day (NESAWG). The two young advocates are thankful to the Rural Coalition and NESAWG, which were the sponsors of this unique opportunity to talk about RI food and agricultural issues. 

Image credit: Rhode Island Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Representatives from 28 food councils in North Carolina and numerous partners from NC, VA, GA, and SC joined hands in appreciation and gratitude for each other inequitable food and farm policy work at the 2017 Statewide Food Council Gathering in North Carolina. We convened to learn from, connect with, and inspire each other.

Image credit: Marcello Cappellazzi, Community Food Strategies; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

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.

Adapted from the Alliance for Justice's Advocacy Capacity Tool (ACT), the toolkit is designed to help food policy councils assess their capacity to do policy work. It provides them with appropriate resources to increase their knowledge of the policy process and improve their advocacy skills.

Created by: Anne Palmer and Larissa Calancie.

This webinar shares lessons learned by national experts who have financed grocery store development and other healthy food retail in low-income urban and rural communities, and community-based grassroots organizations that have provided technical assistance and resources to small stores to help them sell healthy food.

Presenters: Sajan Philip, Juan Vila, Shamar Hemphill, Mary Elizabeth Evans