Announcing: Rapid Response Grantees!

The Independent Advisory Committee of the Better Food Policy Fund is thrilled to announce our 2025 Rapid Response grantees! These eight food policy councils work across the U.S. to effect better food policy through civic collaboration. Over the past few months, each of them has experienced disruptions in their funding which have negatively impacted their food systems work in their communities.

The Better Food Policy Fund is awarding $15,000 in unrestricted Rapid Response funds to each of these councils to help them weather these unexpected challenges, and to support their pursuit of better food policy in their communities:

MinneAg Network (Statewide, Minnesota)
West Central Minnesota Food Council (Regional, Minnesota)
Alaska Food Policy Council (Statewide)
Arizona Food Systems Network (Statewide)
Marion County Food Policy Council (County, South Carolina)
Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (County, Maryland)
The Passaic County Food Policy Council (County, New Jersey)
Rhode Island Food Policy Council (Statewide)

Learn more about these inspiring food policy councils below:

The Passaic County Food Policy Council

The Passaic County Food Policy Council (PCFPC) is a cross-sector coalition dedicated to ending hunger in Passaic County, New Jersey. PCFPC unites various food system partners to advocate for policies that make healthy food more affordable and accessible via outreach, education, advocating for policy changes, and community building.

Arizona Food Systems Network

The Arizona Food Systems Network (AZFSN) is the statewide food policy council for Arizona, a community of local, state, and regional food systems advocates, practitioners, and leaders who have a vested interest in collaborating to improve the food system for all Arizonans. Members represent individuals, organizations, or local coalitions who come together to deepen their connections, knowledge, and expertise toward actionable food solutions for Arizona’s food system. AZFSN is an autonomous community of practice convened by Pinnacle Prevention with support from Vitalyst Health Foundation. The aim of the network is to act as a repository of food systems and food coalition information and as a platform to share that information, build capacity, develop and strengthen relationships, and mobilize action.

Alaska Food Policy Council

The Alaska Food Policy Council’s partners and collaborators include everyday Alaskans from across Alaska’s food systems, including researchers, restaurateurs, farmers, educators, medical professionals, health advocates, state agencies, agricultural organizations, and other food policy experts. Their goal is to strengthen Alaska’s food systems to create a healthy, secure, abundant food system that feeds all Alaskans.

Rhode Island Food Policy Council

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is a cross-sector coalition dedicated to creating a food system in the state that is more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable. The council works to build a strong network of stakeholders and leverages this network to drive good food policy through education, advocacy, and community partnerships. Their work has contributed to initiatives like the state’s Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Program and the creation of a Director of Food Strategy position.

West Central Minnesota Food Council

The West Central Minnesota Food Policy Council (FPC) is a diverse and inclusive group of individuals and organizations interested in improving food policy in Clay, Becker, Otter Tail, and Wilkin Counties. The FPC works to identify policy and program opportunities to expand small-scale farming and improve access to more fresh and nutritious food for all West Central Minnesota residents. The FPC also works to empower residents to live more sustainably.

MinneAg Network

The MinneAg Network provides vital support for MN’s farm and food systems stakeholders, and are committed to continuing this work. State policy and decision-making spaces for food and agriculture create structural barriers to engagement, resulting in a systemic lack of equity, empowerment and inclusion in decisions that affect everyone. Policy advocacy to redress this inequity is a luxury for small organizations, whose work is focused on urgent and practical needs, such as land & market access and food security & nutrition. The MinneAg Network strengthens relationships across organizations and deepens stakeholders’ understanding of civic engagement.

Prince George's County Food Equity Council

The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council (FEC) works to advance health equity and food access by developing policies and programs that strengthen the local food system. Through cross-sector collaboration and community-driven advocacy, the FEC is committed to transforming systems that have historically limited access to nutritious food and well-being in underserved communities.

Marion County Food Policy Council

Pick 42 Foundation operates the Marion County Food Policy Council, whose mission is to coordinate better community outcomes for health and food. The council is committed to strengthening community partnerships and solidifying services that yield healthier communities. They achieve their mission through collaboration, promoting awareness of food and health disparities, connecting resources to address identified needs, and identifying methods to overcome issues. The council meets quarterly and includes over 60 local farmers, several local businesses, and community advocates. They help support five community gardens throughout the county, provide local food to 17 partner sites, and operate a mobile food pantry.