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Food Councils & Conferences

WHAT ARE FOOD POLICY COUNCILS? (FPCs)

Food Policy Councils (FPCs) are groups that bring diverse stakeholders together to address a community's food system issues at the local, state, or regional level. They work to create, coordinate, and implement policies that improve access to healthy and affordable food, support local agriculture, and build a more equitable and resilient food system. These councils often have a cross-section of members, including government, non-profits, farmers, public health professionals, and community representatives, and can be structured in various ways, such as being housed within a government department or a non-profit organization.  

Key functions of Food Policy Councils

  • Policy and systems change: FPCs identify and address systemic problems within the food system that are too complex for any single entity to tackle alone. 

  • Coordination and strategic planning: They serve as a central point for coordinating efforts, setting strategic goals, and monitoring progress for food-related initiatives within a specific area. 

  • Advocacy: While some FPCs take on an advocacy role, regional councils often position themselves as neutral advisors, providing information and policy guidance to multiple governments and jurisdictions. 

  • Community engagement: They provide a platform for community members and organizations to have a voice in shaping food policy and ensuring that policies are acceptable and equitable. 

  • Economic development: Some FPCs focus on issues like expanding food-related businesses, creating jobs, enhancing agricultural viability, and promoting the purchase of local foods. 

  • Promoting health equity: They work to increase access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for all residents, with a particular focus on communities that experience health and economic disparities.
     

        Who is involved?

  • Government agencies (e.g., city or county departments)
  • Non-profit organizations
  • University extension offices
  • Public health professionals
  • Farmers, ranchers, and producers
  • Community and grassroots groups
  • Food businesses and retailers
  • Social service providers 


                                                     



Council Name

Status

Contact(s)

Email(s)

Phone number

Florida Food Policy Council

Active

Erica Hall
Erica Hardison

erica.h@flfpc.org

erica.hardison@flfpc.org

202-538-2010

Good Food Central Florida

Inactive

Mary-Stewart Droege

mary-stewart.droege@cityoforlando.net

 

Healthier Jupiter

Unknown

Joanna Peluso

healthierjupiter@htpbc.org

561-263-7579

Indian River Food Policy Council

Active

Kelly Jackson Nosler
Tessah Christian

knosler1@gmail.com

88leapinglavendergoats@gmail.com

772-633-0089

Pasco County Food Policy
Advisory Council

Active

Kristen King
Dell deChant

kking@pascocountyfl.net

ddechant@tampabay.rr.com

727-534-7481

Southwest Florida Food Policy
Council

Active

Asmaa Odeh
Megan Greer

aodeh@swfrpc.org
megan.greer@sharecare.com

239-205-0303

St. Lucie County
Food Policy
Council

In
transition

Tricia Goulet

Tricia.Goulet@flhealth.gov

772-873-4920

St. Petersburg
Food Policy
Council

In
transition

Erica Hardison

 

 erica@encoreboutiqueservices.com

727-385-1525

727-308-1939

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

      Sarasota Food Policy Council (SFPC):
      Polk County's Food Security Council

  • Amy Nickerson | Education Coordinator | LCAN Leader
  • 999 Avenue H NE, #79 | Winter Haven FL | 33881
  • 3425 Winter Lake Road LMC 8030 | Lakeland FL | 33803
  • Cell 813-523-5000
  • amy@polkvision.com | polkvision.com | bethefuturebeu.com

    Marlo Zarka
  • Public Policy Lead
  • BLUE ZONES PROJECT - JACKSONVILLE
  • Duval Food Policy Council - The Duval Food Policy Council (FPC) is a community group whose primary aim is to promote healthy and wholesome food while also working to strengthen and expand the regional farm and food economy. Formed in 2011, the FPC experienced a slowdown in 2016 but is now reinvigorating with both new and existing members. The group is focused on developing policies and initiatives to foster a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient local and regional food system. To learn more and get involved, contact Laureen Husband at LHusband@feedningnefl.org.
     
  • AgJax 
    AgJax is a dynamic grassroots initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration and resource-sharing among local growers. Our mission is to strengthen the local agricultural community by creating a supportive network where farmers, gardeners, and food producers can connect, exchange ideas, and share resources. We believe in the power of collective action to address challenges like limited access to equipment, seeds, or knowledge. Through workshops, community work days, seed swaps, shared equipment programs, and online forums, we aim to empower local growers, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to a resilient local food system. By uniting the diverse talents and experiences of our community’s growers, “Rooted in Community” envisions a flourishing, interconnected agricultural network that supports both the land and those who cultivate it. To learn more, contact Clark Davis – the coordinator at AgJax@justfood.network.

    Joanna Peluso
  • Healthier Jupiter Project Director
  • Jupiter Medical Center     

    Robert Kluson:
     rkluson@scgov.net
    UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County translates research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to five core areas: agriculture; lawn and garden; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and youth development. We provide practical education to build a better future. This council brings together various community stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, consumers, and community groups, to develop policy recommendations for the local food system. It has collaborated on food policy recommendations for the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan.
  • sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu  Food Policy - Sarasota County - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS
  • UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County translates research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to five core areas: agriculture; lawn and garden; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and youth development. We provide practical education to build a better future.

    My Site
    Florida Regional Councils Association | FRCA  Florida Regional Councils Association is an alliance of Florida’s Regional Planning Councils and serves to enhance regional prosperity throughout the state.

  • floridafpc.orgfloridafpc.org

    Food Councils & Conferences

    Website for Florida Food Policy Council (2 MB)

    https://www.floridafpc.org/Food-Councils--Conferences

    sfyl.ifas.ufl.edusfyl.ifas.ufl.edu

    Food Policy - Sarasota County - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS

    UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County translates research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to five core areas: agriculture; lawn and garden; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and youth development. We provide practical education to build a better future.
     

    My SiteMy Site

    Florida Regional Councils Association | FRCA

    Florida Regional Councils Association is an alliance of Florida’s Regional Planning Councils and serves to enhance regional prosperity throughout the state.

  • Cell: (561) 234-0182

    Tallahassee Food Network
  • PO Box 365
  • Tallahassee, FL 32302
  • https://www.tallahasseefoodnetwork.com/connect
  • tallahasseefoodnetwork@gmail.com

    Manasota Food Action Council
  • Lou Murray
  • newmurray7@gmail.com

    St. Lucie Food Council
  • Tricia.Goulet@flhealth.gov
  • Phone: 772-873-4920
  • Jennifer Harris
  • Email: Jennifer.Harris@flhealth.gob
  • Phone: 772-785-5838

    Collier County Food Policy Council Asmaa Odeh
  • Email: aodeh@swfrpc.org
  • Phone: 239-205-0303
  • Margaret Wuerstle
  • Email: mwuerstle@swfrpc.org

    sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu
    Sarasota Food Policy Council (SFPC)
    Food Policy - Sarasota County - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS

    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/agriculture/agriculture/food-policy/
    Robert Kluson: rkluson@scgov.net

    UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County translates research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to five core areas: agriculture; lawn and garden; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and youth development. We provide practical education to build a better future. This council brings together various community stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, consumers, and community groups, to develop policy recommendations for the local food system. It has collaborated on food policy recommendations for the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan.

    Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA)
    Florida Regional Councils Association is an alliance of Florida’s Regional Planning Councils and serves to enhance regional prosperity throughout the state.
    https://www.flregionalcouncils.org/


                                          

     

    sfyl.ifas.ufl.edusfyl.ifas.ufl.edu

    Food Policy - Sarasota County - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS

    UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County translates research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to five core areas: agriculture; lawn and garden; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and youth development. We provide practical education to build a better future.
     

    My SiteMy Site

    Florida Regional Councils Association | FRCA

    Florida Regional Councils Association is an alliance of Florida’s Regional Planning Councils and serves to enhance regional prosperity throughout the state.

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