Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Food Policy Council in Ft. Bragg


Thank you to everyone who attended this meeting!

Here are some updates:

The Food Policy Council is currently working on the Farm to Fork program, which will bring farm fresh produce into Ukiah, Willits, Ft. Bragg, & Anderson Valley School Districts, as well as UVMC.

Our Community Food Project (CFP) is currently enhancing preschool garden programs in the Ukiah area, and will begin in North county next year, and on the coast the year after. In January, CFP will host community and school garden leadership trainings, so that individual gardens can become more independent, organized and sustainable. In April, CFP will host food production trainings, where gardeners and community members can learn skills like how to plan seasonal gardens, preserve food, deal with pests, compost, and other useful topics.

We of the Food Policy Council are also currently putting together a Food Action Plan, which organizations and businesses will sign on to so that we have a starting point to make changes in our food system.

Our USDA Regional Food Hub Project will be based in Petaluma, with several drop points throughout our counties. This will allow small farmers and producers to use existing distributors to reach a larger consumer base, and will keep our food local!

We discussed food sovereignty and the resolution that we will present to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, which recognizes the rights of individuals and groups to grow and consume their own food and to enter into private contracts with other individuals to board animals for food.

Our next meeting will be January 9th! Stay tuned.

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