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2024-25 Grantmaking Program Questions

Are all of the sessions virtual? Or will they be in person?

Most likely virtual. There is some money set aside for the group to get together with the IAC.

Are councils with consistently higher budgets and councils that struggle to find funding each year going to equally be added into the pool for these grants?

The grantee cohort will have a mix of councils in terms of financial security. Extra space will be held for councils that are financially insecure.

Are FPC’s that are in the early stages of development eligible for funding?

To receive the funds, you need to either be a 501c3, or be fiscally sponsored by one. you’ll have an opportunity in the application to show that your council matches our criteria here.

Are funds available for: support staff, stipend residents, council members, development?

Yes. We are not going to require a budget for eligibility. We trust that what your group needs the money for you will put it to good use. The only restriction is that you cannot use it for partisan political purposes.

Are there any accommodations or resources available for applicants who might need additional support or clarification during the application process?

Contact foodpolicyfund@gmail.com for assistance or clarification.

Are there any restrictions or limitations on how grant funds can be used?

No, as long as the funds are being used to support eligible groups.

Are there any specific deadlines for submitting grant applications?

Grant applications are due by March 5, 2024 by 5 PM Pacific.

Finalists need to ensure several of their group members are available to participate in a virtual storytelling session scheduled sometime between March 8 and March 19, 2024.

Are there specific requirements or preferences concerning the fiscal agents/sponsors for community groups?

Successful applicants should have an established financial structure which allows them to manage and handle funds – either within their organization or through a fiscal agent or sponsor.

Groups with their own EIN and fiscal management infrastructure do not need a fiscal agent or sponsor.  Groups without these will need a fiscal sponsor, and will need to provide a copy of the agreement as part of their application.

Funds cannot be distributed through individuals; there must be some degree of fiscal organization and administrative capacity.

Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply nor serve as fiscal agents.

Can we enter both paths?
Can you address whether this fund supports activities that would fall under lobbying (with acknowledgement of the limitations on 501c3 orgs and not going beyond that)?

The TIDES Foundation Collective Action Fund has only one restriction on it, which is that the funds cannot be used to support partisan, political activity, specifically around funding political candidates and their campaigns. So you can use the money for advocacy outside of this parameter.

Can you be working towards active engagement of community residents?

Yes.

Can you elaborate on the reporting process for grantees and how it will be made celebratory while maintaining accountability?

Reporting might involve sharing success stories, milestones achieved, and challenges faced in a format that promotes learning and celebration rather than strict accountability measures.

Can you provide examples of good food policies? Are intersectional policies eligible?

We are treating this generally, not specifically. The phrasing we are using is that it needs to be in support of community-based food systems. Be sure to explain the alignment between what you do and how it impacts community based food systems.

Could you clarify what’s meant by a “trust-based process” for nominations from the Independent Advisory Committee?

The “trust-based process” involves nominations based on expertise and trust in the committee members’ judgment, focusing on their knowledge of food policy councils that fit the desired criteria.

Could you provide examples of the shared learning opportunities to learn from grantees?

One opportunity comes through the selection process. We plan to record group storytelling sessions with members of the finalist groups. These recordings will be used to expand learning for interested stakeholders.

We will determine additional opportunities with and through grantees and interested stakeholders. Learning might involve webinars, workshops, or forums where councils share strategies, challenges, and best practices.

Does “government” include school systems?

Yes.

Does braided funding from a grant with the health department count as a fiscal sponsor?

Yes, if the health department is who handles all the administrative things, and they are going to be the ones who receive the grant on your behalf, then they would just need to write a letter indicating that and that they are prepared to do that. That would be the fiscal sponsorship agreement.

Does the Fund collect feedback for program improvement from grantees or stakeholders?

The Fund facilitator maintains a log in which learning moments are recorded. These “a-has” are fed back to the stakeholder body through the newsletter. We solicit feedback electronically and through “check-outs” at the end of meetings. We anticipate using similar methods for collecting feedback to refine future programs, and working with and through grantees and the stakeholder body to collectively make sense of the learning.

Does the fund support government-led councils? Is a food council embedded in a local government Health Department eligible to ‘apply’?

Yes

Given the broad scope of these funds, can you give examples of how funds can be used? Is staff an eligible expense? Are there restrictions on advocacy efforts? Could we use the funding to compensate council members for their time? Can the funds be used for development and staffing? Can the funding be used towards staff time/personnel? Are funds available to support staff and/or stipend residents?

A Tides Foundation collective action fund cannot be used to fund political candidates or their campaigns, or in partisan political activities. Within that one restriction, funds are unrestricted. They can be used for staff, advocacy efforts, compensating council members for their time, for development, etc.

How are you taking into account size/type of food policy council when choosing grants?

We will ensure a diverse cohort of grantees across these dimensions of diversity:

  • BIPOC % 
  • population density of the place (rural, urban, etc.)
  • financial status (secure, etc.)
  • developmental stage (new, mature, etc.)
  • scale (city, county, etc.)
  • structure (grassroots, non-profit, etc.)
  • focus (access, farms, etc.)

Within this mix, we will hold extra space for councils that are:

  • Higher BIPOC %
  • Rural communities
  • Financially insecure
How competitive is the grantmaking program?

Our program will not pit one council against another. We believe you deserve funding. We don’t have enough funds for everyone, and we don’t want to waste anyone’s time. So we’ve structured this more like a lottery than a competition, requiring what we hope is a minimal amount of effort in order to apply.

Given current funding levels, we expect to fund ten groups in the two-year pilot program. As additional funds are raised, we will be able to support more councils.

How does one get on the IAC’s nomination list?

The IAC will be doing their own research and working through their networks to choose a council.

How long will it take to hear back about the status of a grant application?

We expect to notify finalists by March 8 and announce grantees by April 15, 2024.

How many applications are you anticipating?

There are around 350 food councils that we know of, however, we don’t anticipate all will apply.

How much funding is available for each group?

We are going to be awarding $600,000 of grants over 2 years, which comes out to $30,000 per group for 10 groups each year.

How will the Fund ensure transparency and communication with the larger stakeholder community?

The Fund will continue to involve stakeholders in setting Fund strategy through periodic email newsletters, surveys, and convenings. The Fund will also engage stakeholders in shared learning opportunities.

How will the Fund ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process, especially considering the subjective nature of some criteria?

The process will not be hyper-competitive; we believe all food policy councils have the potential for doing great things with unrestricted financial support. This takes some of the pressure off the evaluation process.

We will not review all applications, but will instead draw applications at random and check them against Fund values and criteria lifted up by stakeholders. The Fund will use diverse selection committees and scoring rubrics to ensure consistency and fairness in checking applications for a good enough fit to ensure flow and alignment.

We are also looking for diversity across the cohort, and that will be a factor in whether a group is selected as a finalist.

The IAC will ask finalists to participate in group storytelling sessions with their members so that we can better discover how great these groups are, while verifying that what was in the application shows up in how the group works. The Fund will provide a skilled facilitator to elicit these stories, which will be recorded so all IAC members can review.

Afterwards, the IAC will be asked for consent to proceed with this slate of finalists as grantees. The IAC has experience using a consent-based decision-making process which will ensure concerns are heard.

How will the IAC-nominated councils work?

This is a trust-based process. The IAC members were invited to nominate councils whose work they believe would be good candidates for the fund. Said councils will have to apply, and then we will draw, at random, up to 5 of the nominated councils. If the council meets the eligibility criteria and the dimensions of diversity, then they will be considered a finalist.

If we are nominated by the IAC and not chosen through that path, can we apply via the other path?

Any application that does not get chosen from the IAC pool gets automatically entered into the other pool of applicants’ lottery.

Is my organization considered a food policy council?

We consider food policy councils to be groups that are bringing together stakeholders with an interest in issues from across the food system, with a particular emphasis on bringing community and government together. For example, a council might have members that are farmers, food retailers, public health professionals, transportation planners, social workers, emergency food providers, and farmers market managers. Additionally, one key feature of food policy councils is that they bring together government and community. By civic engagement/collaboration, we mean that a group brings people together at the intersection of community and government and that they address public issue in concert with each other. FPCs work on creating dialogue between government agencies and elected officials and community to be able to better understand one another. This is different from advocating at government or elected official.

Is the $30,000 grant the same for all selected groups, or is there flexibility based on specific criteria?

All selected groups will receive $30,000 in unrestricted funding for each of the 2024 and 2025 grant cycles. This funded amount is a manageable size for smaller councils while also being of sufficient size to support a part-time position or provide the majority of funding for a project.

Is the funding eligible for an organization to reestablish a food policy council?

An organization that is trying to reestablish a food policy council would be eligible for funding. The grant review process will be guided by a set of diversity criteria, or dimensions of diversity, to ensure the fund is supporting the range of FPCs in the US. This includes funding FPC at all different phases of development, from those in the early years of formation to those restarting or going through a transition.

Is there any geographic criteria to apply? Considerations on population diversity?

Councils must be based within and serving communities in the United States and its territories.

The grantee cohort will have a mix of councils serving different types of population diversity.  Extra space will be held for councils in rural areas.

My application won’t submit. What should I do?

If you are having trouble submitting the Google Form, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:


1. Check your internet connection: Ensure that you have a stable and reliable internet connection. If your connection is weak or intermittent, it may prevent the form from being submitted. Try refreshing the page or submitting the form from a different device or network.
2. Complete all required fields: Make sure you have filled out all the required fields in the form. Required fields are usually marked with an asterisk (*) or mentioned in the form instructions. If any required fields are left blank, the form may not allow submission until they are filled.
3. Check for errors or validation messages: Look for any error messages or validation warnings displayed on the form. These messages typically highlight any issues with the data entered. Review the form entries carefully, correct any errors, and try submitting again.
4. Disable browser extensions: Some browser extensions or add-ons can interfere with the functionality of web forms. Disable any extensions that might be causing conflicts, especially those related to form filling or ad-blocking. Restart your browser and try submitting the form again.
5. Clear browser cache and cookies: Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can resolve issues related to form submission. Go to your browser’s settings, find the option to clear browsing data, and select the options to clear cache and cookies. After clearing the data, restart your browser and try submitting the form again.
6. Try a different browser or device: If the issue persists, try accessing and submitting the form from a different web browser or device. This can help identify if the problem is specific to your current browser or device.

Re: Dimensions of diversity, with BIPOC leadership required, could that element be considered an eligibility requirement?

In the dimensions of diversity there are three areas that will be given more weight – 1. BIPOC leadership, membership, or operating in a BIPOC population 2. rural vs. urban population density, more spaces will be held for rural councils 3. underfunded groups. These will not be requirements, but when we are doing the assessment around diversity we will have more quotas for those three categories, but we still want to have diversity across all the groups chosen.

We are a newer group and do not have an official membership roster yet. How should we answer the question: What percent of your FPC membership is Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC)?

The BIPOC questions are designed to operate together to give us a picture of the racial makeup of the applicant organization. It is completely understandable that there will be groups that have not yet compiled this information. The question is optional for this reason. A simple statement explaining your situation is also appropriate.

What are the criteria for evaluating grant applications?

Groups are evaluated using criteria with two different goals in mind.

First, groups are evaluated to ensure their inclusion in the grantee cohort would enhance the overall diversity of the grantee cohort. Dimensions of diversity were informed by stakeholder input in a December 2023 survey.

Second, groups are evaluated to ensure they align with Fund purpose and values and additional criteria set forth by stakeholder input in a December 2023 survey.

What budget information should be included in the application?

Grants will be for $30,000.

No budget information is required other than telling us whether your council is financially secure, adequate, or insecure.

Applicants will need to have either their own EIN or a fiscal sponsor.

What do we need for the application if we have a fiscal sponsor?

Either a copy of a formal agreement or a brief letter from the organization indicating that they serve as your fiscal sponsor is fine.

What documents and information will I need to include in the grant application?

To complete the Google Form, you will need:

  • 2-page document containing your written responses
  • Copy of your fiscal sponsorship agreement (if the council does not have its own EIN)

You will also need to share with us:

  • contact information for your council
  • contact information for your fiscal sponsor, if applicable
  • BIPOC % (leadership required, membership & community optional)
  • population density of your community (rural, urban, etc.)
  • financial state (secure, adequate, insecure)
  • developmental stage (startup, growing, mature, etc.)
  • scale (city, county, state, tribal, etc.)
  • structure (grassroots, non-profit, government, etc.)
  • current food system focus (access, justice, production, distribution, etc.)

We will also ask you if you will:

  • Send representatives to a finalist storytelling session, if selected
  • Send representatives to a grantee cohort kick-off session, if funded
  • Complete a council self-assessment to establish baseline and at the conclusion of the grant cycle, if funded
  • Allow us to use your application to learn more about food policy councils
  • Allow us to share your success stories with other food policy council stakeholders

 

What does the reporting process look like with this fund?

Much will be decided with and through the grantees and the larger stakeholder audience. We need to have enough information that we can help to life the field of food policy councils in general and to try to engage other donors to the fund. Learning is the critical piece of this and recognizing that systems change can be quiet and small. Each group take a baseline with a Food Policy Council Self- Assessment tool, which will be sent out to all our members to weigh in on a series of criteria for how the food policy functions. This will be taken at the beginning and the end of the program with the intent that the councils can use the responses internally and for the IAC to assess how the cohort did as a whole.

What specific information is expected to be included in the 2-page application? Are there any guidelines provided for formatting or content?

The written portion of the application focuses on demonstrating alignment with the Fund’s values and FPC success criteria in lieu of detailed proposals.  Refer to written response guidance as well as the instructions and questions.

 

What types of reporting or updates are expected from grantees throughout the grant period?

We do not yet have an exact reporting format but seek a balance between accountability to the stakeholder body and not imposing barriers on grantees.

When will councils be notified if they have been nominated by an IAC member?

Notifications should have gone out by 2/1.

When you say this is a pilot, is there a possibility that the grant program will be expanded in the future?

Yes!  Fund leaders are committed to raising additional funds so that the grantmaking programs can be expanded and extended.  We are thinking of it as a pilot so that we can make adjustments as we learn along the way.

Who decides which FPCs will receive funding?

The Better Food Policy Fund is housed within a Tides Foundation Collective Action Fund. This funding mechanism shifts the responsibility of funding decisions from the donors to members of an Independent Advisory Committee (IAC).

The IAC has developed a rubric to verify an applicant’s alignment with the Fund values and other criteria identified by the larger stakeholder group in a December 2023 survey. The IAC will work in triads, using a consent-based decision-making process, to apply the alignment rubric.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

Established food policy councils operating in the United States. We generally follow this definition from the Food Policy Networks project of the Center for a Livable Future at Johns Hopkins University. A food policy council is:

an organized group of stakeholders that may be sanctioned by a government body or may exist independently of government, which works to address food system issues and needs at the local (city/municipality or county), state, regional, or tribal nations levels.

To be eligible for our funding, food policy councils must:

  • Be engaged at the intersection of community and government, as civic collaboration is at the heart of our work.
  • Be working to create conditions which enable or lead to better food policy at the local/state/regional/or tribal nation level.

Our screening rubric looks at these four Grant Eligibility Criteria:

  1. The group is engaged in civic collaboration in the US.  This means based in the US, working in US communities, with active engagement of those who are affected by policies and those who set them.

  2. The group is pushing food policy forward or laying the groundwork to do so.  This means the group has an intentional focus implementing one or more of the following types of activities:

    1. Collecting information and studying the issue to know legal implications and options.
    2. Forming alliances with groups supporting the change.
    3. Raising public awareness about the issue.
    4. Building relationships with key decision-makers.
    5. Drafting clear and effective policy ideas.
    6. Involving affected community members in the process.
    7. Convincing leaders to support change.
    8. Training and skill development for effective action.
    9. Trying out smaller versions of proposed policy changes to show benefits.

  3. The group prioritizes and engages in COLLABORATION on a regular basis

  4. The group recognizes the COMPLEXITY involved in food systems change and acts accordingly. 
Will slides be shared after the meeting?

Yes, both the slides and the recording will be sent out on the email list serve and will be added to the website.

Will the grantee cohort kick-off session be in person? Or virtual?

Most likely virtual.

Will the story-telling sessions be in person or virtual?

Virtual.

Will there be another round of funding for groups in 2025 and in the years following?

We will be entering the fundraising stage, with the hope to raise funds for the fund to continue.

Will there be any feedback provided to unsuccessful applicants after the selection process?

Our selection process is different and non-competitive.  Applicants will be most likely be unsuccessful because:

a) their application wasn’t among the applications drawn at random,

b) they don’t increase the diversity of the cohort, or

c) they don’t align with the values and intention of the Fund.

As these are not things the applicant can improve on, we won’t be providing feedback in these situations.  Should an application provide insufficient information for us determine their fit with the Fund, we will give them that feedback.

Will there be any flexibility or opportunities for extension in the deadlines, especially for unexpected circumstances or challenges in submitting applications?

It is not impossible, but unlikely. We are operating on a tight schedule to ensure the money goes out in April, so there is little room for extensions without derailing that process. Instead, we are providing more warning on the front end to help councils prepare, and are simplifying the information needed to make the process easier to complete. That said, we will do what we can within our time constraints to assist in the case of an extenuating circumstance.

Will there be focus on Indigenous Communities?

Yes, this will happen with the types of councils we choose, as their governance structure is unique, and we want a diversity of types of councils. That is how they will get represented in this process.

Will we know if we are nominated by the IAC?

Yes, the IAC will contact you if you are nominated, as you will then have to apply for the fund.

Other Support-Related Questions

Are there are ways as stakeholders to continue staying involved, aside from applying for funding?

We don’t know what that will look like moving forward, however we have used our mailing list to involve stakeholders throughout the process, and will continue to do so as the opportunity arises. We are creating communications collateral that can be used by food councils to help them in their funding. To stay up to date on the process, we recommend making sure you are a part of our mailing list.

Besides grants, what additional support or resources does the Fund offer to councils?

The Fund provides direct and indirect shared learning opportunities and facilitates connections between councils. Currently, efforts are underway to co-create a series of case studies that make the case for food policy councils that can be used by councils as well as the Fund in its fundraising efforts.

Could you provide examples of the shared learning opportunities to learn from grantees?

One opportunity comes through the selection process. We plan to record group storytelling sessions with members of the finalist groups. These recordings will be used to expand learning for interested stakeholders.

We will determine additional opportunities with and through grantees and interested stakeholders. Learning might involve webinars, workshops, or forums where councils share strategies, challenges, and best practices.

How will the Food Policy Fund address the need for systems change and limited lobbying activities in state legislatures?

The intent is for councils to build their civil engagement and policy advocacy.

Donor Questions

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.

Is there a minimum donation amount or term?

While there is no minimum donation amount or term, there are numbers to help inform those decisions. Under our current unrestricted grantmaking pilot program, $80,000 will support a council for two years. Ideally, support for councils would last 3-5 years. Based on the annual survey from Food Policy Networks project at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, there are approximately 300 food policy councils in the US, most of which are severely underfunded. Thus, our first cohort of 10 grantees meets only 3% of FPCs.

 

General Questions

Are there are ways as stakeholders to continue staying involved, aside from applying for funding?

We don’t know what that will look like moving forward, however we have used our mailing list to involve stakeholders throughout the process, and will continue to do so as the opportunity arises. We are creating communications collateral that can be used by food councils to help them in their funding. To stay up to date on the process, we recommend making sure you are a part of our mailing list.

Are there examples or case studies from previous grants to demonstrate impact?

The Fund’s first grants start in April 2024. The Fund plans to document and share success stories or impact reports from this pilot. In addition, the Fund is currently documenting case studies that make the case for food policy councils.

Are there plans for geographical expansion beyond US-based food policy councils?

At this time there are no plans for expansion beyond the US.

Does the Fund collaborate with other entities in the food policy space?

The Fund collaborates with those who care about food policy councils, the Food Policy Networks project at the Center for a Livable Future, and funder networks such as Sustainable Ag and Food Systems Funders.

Does the Fund collect feedback for program improvement from grantees or stakeholders?

The Fund facilitator maintains a log in which learning moments are recorded. These “a-has” are fed back to the stakeholder body through the newsletter. We solicit feedback electronically and through “check-outs” at the end of meetings. We anticipate using similar methods for collecting feedback to refine future programs, and working with and through grantees and the stakeholder body to collectively make sense of the learning.

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.

How does the Fund engage with stakeholders in decision-making or strategy shaping?

Stakeholder engagement has involved surveys, individual conversations, focus groups, virtual public forums, and careful facilitation to ensure that information gets into the IAC’s consent-based decision-making process.

How does the Fund envision sustainability in supporting food policy councils beyond the current grant cycles?

Once the first grants are made, the IAC plans to form subcommittees focused on Fundraising and Stewardship, which will work together to attain long-term sustainability of the Fund. Case studies are being developed now of why food policy councils are worthy of funding to augment fundraising efforts with those unfamiliar with food policy councils.

How does the Fund measure and ensure sustained impact beyond the grant periods?

This is still being figured out, but it is likely the Fund will focus on capacity building, feedback mechanisms, and post-grant reporting for sustained impact.

What are the long-term goals or visions beyond the current grant cycles?

The Fund’s long-term vision beyond the specified grant cycles is to be part of a movement that supports civic collaboration at the intersection of better food policy.

What measures does the Fund take to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in its operations?

The Fund explicitly seeks diversity across its governing body and grantee cohort. The operating norms of the Independent Advisory Committee are rooted in inclusive practices, such as consent-based decision-making. The Fund engages in consistent and persistent communications and seeks to proactively provide transparency to its stakeholder body.

Who oversees the Fund’s operations and decision-making?

The Independent Advisory Council is responsible for oversight, supported by an administrative team.

Why food policy councils and not agriculture, food hubs, or food purchasing?

Food policy councils (FPCs) serve as conduits for policy change and collaboration, working to enhance the sustainability, equity, and resilience of the entire food system by addressing challenges and fostering opportunities within agriculture, food hubs, and food purchasing practices.

FPCs recognize the interconnectedness of agriculture, distribution, and purchasing within the food system. They advocate for policies that take a holistic approach, considering the entire food supply chain, from production to consumption, and addressing systemic issues along the way. FPCs often advocate for policies that ensure equitable access to nutritious food, supporting not only local producers but also communities that might face food access challenges.

Examples of where FPCs intersect with agriculture, food hubs, and food purchasing within the broader food system:

  • Policy Influence: FPCs advocate for policies that support sustainable agricultural practices, promote local farming, and address challenges faced by farmers, such as land access, market opportunities, and environmental sustainability.
  • Connecting Stakeholders: They facilitate connections between agricultural producers, policymakers, and consumers to address concerns and promote collaborations that enhance the viability and resilience of local agricultural systems.
  • Supporting Distribution Networks: FPCs work to strengthen food distribution networks by advocating for policies that support the development and operation of local food hubs. They focus on enhancing access to markets for small-scale producers and improving connections between producers and consumers.
  • Policy for Infrastructure: FPCs might advocate for policies that enable the creation and growth of food hubs, ensuring they operate efficiently and benefit the local economy.
  • Promoting Local Procurement: FPCs advocate for policies that encourage institutions (schools, hospitals, etc.) and government agencies to prioritize local food purchasing. They might propose procurement policies that support local producers and promote healthier, sustainable food options.
  • Creating Market Opportunities: By advocating for policies that support fair pricing and accessibility to diverse food sources, FPCs aim to create market opportunities for local producers, fostering a more vibrant and resilient local food economy.
Why food policy councils and not food democracy, food justice, or racial equity?

FPCs often serve as vehicles for advancing these broader concepts by operationalizing them into actionable policies and practices within their local or regional spheres. They bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical implementation by:

  • Facilitating Dialogue: FPCs create spaces for dialogues that address food-related issues, acknowledging the intersectionality of factors like race, socio-economic status, and geography.
  • Policy Advocacy: Through policy recommendations, FPCs aim to address systemic injustices and create more democratic, just, and equitable food systems.
  • Community Engagement: By engaging with diverse communities, they seek to ensure that policies reflect the needs and aspirations of all groups, especially those historically marginalized.

These efforts within the policy arena contribute to the larger discourse and actions aimed at achieving food democracy, justice, and racial equity. This intersectionality underscores the importance of FPCs in not only shaping local food policies but also in advancing broader social justice and equity movements related to food. Common behaviors of FPCs include:

  • Fostering democratic participation by engaging diverse stakeholders, including community members, government representatives, and local organizations, in decision-making processes related to food policies.
  • Advocating for policies that promote inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in the food system, contributing to a more democratic approach to decision-making around food-related issues.
  • Addressing disparities in food access by advocating for policies that ensure fair and equitable distribution of resources within communities.
  • Striving to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, advocating for policies that address systemic injustices in the food system.
  • Working to identify and address systemic racial disparities within the food system, advocating for policies that combat food-related racial inequities.
  • Emphasizing the importance of diverse representation within decision-making bodies, aiming to ensure policies are equitable and considerate of racial diversity and needs.
Will slides be shared after the meeting?

Yes, both the slides and the recording will be sent out on the email list serve and will be added to the website.

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