How are FPCs funded? Why is additional funding needed?

According to the Food Policy Networks annual survey of FPCs, funding sources vary whether the FPC is situated within the government or outside of a government host. Sometimes FPCs receive money from the city budget. Other funding sources include healthcare foundations, private foundations, and public charities.

The FPN survey says nearly two out of three councils report a budget of less than $10,000. FPC members often contribute their time and energy as part of their paid job. These can be people connected with government or non-profit institutions. Sole reliance on this model of in-kind contributions of time makes it difficult to engage less-resourced community members, resulting in less informed, less democratic, and less equitable outcomes.

Furthermore, concerns around perceived conflicts of interest can cause FPC members within government to shy away from conversations around policy.