Unlocking the Power of Food: Discover the Marin Food Policy Council
What is the Marin Food Policy Council?
The Marin Food Policy Council (MFPC) is on a mission to transform the food landscape for the county’s vibrant community of nearly 250,000 residents. Established to tackle critical issues surrounding food production, access, distribution, and nutritional health, this innovative Council is unlike any other organization in Marin. It unites local stakeholders through engaging roundtable discussions that foster information sharing, identify essential resources, and prioritize pressing needs. By adopting a comprehensive view of community food security, MFPC crafts well-informed policies and actionable solutions aimed at enhancing the health, sustainability, and quality of life for all Marin residents.
Driving Change Through Community Empowerment
At its core, the Council employs a systemic approach to cultivate a sustainable and equitable food system. This entails developing policies that not only shorten the farm-to-table journey but also uplift the land, bolster the economy, and enhance the overall well-being of the community. Through cooperative frameworks and strategic initiatives, the Marin Food Policy Council endeavors to deepen residents’ understanding of their own food systems while effectively fostering food security for the entire region.
Join the Conversation: Upcoming Meetings and Events
Get involved and make your voice heard! Marin Food Policy Council meetings take place every third Tuesday of the month from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
To join the virtual meetings, simply reach out to Bonnie Nielsen at [email protected] for more details.
Equitable Access to Healthy & Local Food
Food Policy Spotlights
- Explore the impactful Marin County Board of Supervisors Resolution on Hunger, from September 2022.
- Dive into the compelling editorial Marin Voice: Fight Hunger by Changing Our Food Systems, published September 2022.
- Listen to UCCE Marin Community and School Garden Coordinator, Lauren Klein, interviewed on KWMR West Marin Radio discussing the thriving community and school gardens across Marin [Click on “ARCHIVES”, navigate to “Enthusiasms/Specials”, and input the date 2021-1-21 for the 12 noon interview].
- Review the CDFA Farmer Equity Report, detailing critical challenges faced by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in California, along with a comprehensive set of recommendations.
- Access the Young Farmers Racial Equity Toolkit, designed to promote increased organizing towards dismantling systemic racism within the food and farming sectors.
- Explore Edible Marin and Wine Country in their feature article on The Issue of Hunger, Summer 2019.
- Understand the impact of CalFresh Benefits on Marin County.
- Stay informed with the UC ANR Research to Action News Brief “SNAP Is Under Attack: Our Largest Food Assistance Program Needs Your Support”, released December 2019.
- Check out the 2018 Marin County Crop Report.
- Read about persistent hunger in Marin despite local efforts in this article from the Marin IJ, September 2016.
- Discover how Marin Schools are prioritizing healthy, local foods in their cafeterias, August 2016.
- Learn about Marin’s missed opportunity with federal food aid, July 2016.
- Meet Local Food Hero Janet Brown, who discusses community collaboration for food system transformation, July 2016.
- Examine the demand for food bank services discussed in In Moneyed Marin County, SF Chronicle, February 2016.
- Review the Preliminary Report on Policy Priorities focused on equitable access to healthy and local food in Marin, October 2015.
- Read the Food Day Resolution from the Marin Food Policy Council, October 2015.
- Consider the perspectives shared in Marin Voice: Easy Access to Healthy Food, April 2015.
Supporting Our Community Through Healthy Food Access
Engage with the Marin Food Policy Council and be part of a dynamic movement that emphasizes the importance of equitable access to healthy and local food. Together, we can create a future where every resident not only understands their food system but thrives within it!
