The WHY, WHAT, and How of Food Councils

1. The WHY, WHAT, and How of Food Councils Christy Shi Day

2. Many people have a role to play incommunity food systems development. Restaurant Associations Museums and Historical Associations Chambers of Commerce Land Trusts Health Practitioners Sea Grant Hardware, Feed & Seed Stores Farm Service Agency Community Gardens Higher Education Parks and Recreation Distributors Soil and Water Conservation Community Foundations Hospitals Cooperative Extension Food Bloggers & Writers Local Farm & Food Orgs Grocery/Convenience Stores Youth Organizations Waste Management Educators (K-12) Farm Bureau Economic Development Nature Groups Culinary Schools Social Services Watershed Groups Media Tourism Marketing Groups School System Nutritionists People with Networks Faith-Based Organizations Environment/Sustainability Offices Dealer/Packers/Processors Farmers Markets Food Hubs/Aggregators Food Banks Elected Officials Public Health Local Government Planning & Code Enforcement Banks & Funding Agencies Community College Small Business Centers Civic Clubs and Organizations Smart Start Future Farmers of America Natural Resource Conservation Service

3. With so many people involved, how do we know who’s doing what and what’s working?

4. Many groups recognize the important role food councils can play in coordinating efforts.

5. Many groups recognize the important role food councils can play in coordinating efforts.

6. Many groups recognize the important role food councils can play in coordinating efforts.

7. In the last ten years, there has been a sharp rise in food council development.

8. In the last ten years, there has been a sharp rise in food council development. In 2010, Community Food Security Coalition directory listed 92 FPCs.

9. In the last ten years, there has been a sharp rise in food council development. In 2010, Community Food Security Coalition directory listed 92 FPCs.  In 2014, next version of the directory listed 270 FPCs in the US and Canada.

10. There is no set formula for what food councils do, but most provide several key functions.

11. Food councils facilitate connections – across departmental silos and within the community.

12. Food councils facilitate connections – across departmental silos and within the community.

13. Food councils provide focus – through assessing, learning, and identifying priorities.

14. Food councils provide focus – through assessing, learning, and identifying priorities.

15. Food councils provide focus – through assessing, learning, and identifying priorities.

16. Food councils drive action – through policy and programming recommendations.

17. Food councils drive action – through policy and programming recommendations.

18. Food councils drive action – through policy and programming recommendations.

19. Stop and Consider… How might a food council facilitate connections, provide focus, or drive action in your community?

20. Food council interest has increased significantly, in many different forms, across North Carolina. Local or Regional Food Councils in 2010

21. Food council interest has increased significantly, in many different forms, across North Carolina. Local or Regional Food Councils in 2012  - Councils presenting to NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council in Sept 2012  - Councils self-identified but did not present

22. Food council interest has increased significantly, in many different forms, across North Carolina. Local or Regional Food Councils in 2014  - Councils engaged with statewide network development, as of April 2014 - Council activity present, or emerging

23. Some councils are created by government as official advisory boards. Cabarrus Food Policy Council • Established 2010 • Official advisory board, like the planning board • Members appointed by elected officials • Supported by county staff and resources

24. Others are totally independent of government. Charlotte-MecklenburgFood Policy Council • Established 2010 • 501(c)3 Non-Profit • Independent of city / county government • Must raise money for staffing and resources

25. Some councils are organizing as intentional networks rather than as smaller councils. Forsyth Community Food System Consortium • Established 2013 • Advisory group is developing a network to implement actions identified in assessment • Supported by community foundation

26. Some groups have organized at a regional level out of necessity. Western NCFood Policy Council • Established 2011 • Low population density needs regional council • Patterned on existing regional collaborations • Incubated at WCU, now volunteer-supported

27. One regional group is reconfiguring council development to a local level. SENCFSFeast Down East • Established 2006 • Began as rural poverty alleviation strategy • Reorganizing to form county-level councils • Incubated at UNCW, now is a 501(c)3

28. One council was initiated by local government staff to serve as a community network. Caldwell Food Council • Established 2013 • Desired outcomes identified w/ facilitation • Initiated by Cooperative Extension and the Caldwell County Health Department • Staff informed elected officials of council

29. Some councils are an informal collaboration between community and government. Upper PeeDeeFarm and Food Council • Established 2012 • Desired outcomes identified internally • Community members engage elected officials • Initiated by community and local government

30. An emerging trend is a formal collaboration between community and government. Chatham Food Council • To be established 2014 • Formed by community-government task force • MOUs to outline city/county support • Both local government and community groups serve as fiscal sponsors and provide support • Charter & resolution outlining partnership Raleigh Wake Food Policy Council

31. Stop and Consider… What might be the benefits or challenges of operating as a loose network vs. a defined council? What might be the benefits or challenges of operating informally vs. formally?

32. A successful method for developing strong food councils is emerging in North Carolina. Expansion Start-Up Seed Growth Mature Approximately 30 – 42 months from Seed to Mature

33. During the seed phase, a community considers whether a food council might be worthwhile. • Does it already exist? • Is there any history? • Task force volunteers? • Government interest? • Community interest? • Facilitation support? Expansion Growth Start-Up Seed Mature 3-6 Months

34. During start-up, a task force begins to design a council while cultivating a supportive climate. • Get educated • Formulate a picture • Collect feedback Expansion Growth Start-Up Seed Mature • Enlist government • Secure funding • Recruit members 9-12 Months

35. During the growth phase, new council members develop their structure and learn about issues. • Decide how to decide • Affirm purpose • Develop structure Expansion Growth Start-Up Seed Mature • Create bylaws • Build support systems • Develop strategic plan 12-18 Months

36. During the expansion phase, council membership expands to work on priority issues. • Involve more people • Identify priorities • Take action together Expansion Growth Start-Up Seed Mature • Learn what works • Find leverage points • Build social capital 12-24 Months

37. Once mature, the council develops strategic plans and collaborates with other councils. • Self-assess for impact • Improve performance Expansion Growth Start-Up Seed Mature • Update strategic plans • Join other councils Ongoing

38. Stop and Consider… What might happen if a council omits or rushes through any of these steps?

39. Introducing Our Panelists RICK MORSEUNC SOG Associate Professor Public Administration & Government JOHN DAYRetired Cabarrus County ManagerLocal Food Council of NC Task Force ANNIE MARTINIEFood Council Task Force FacilitatorCommunity Transformation Grants JARED CATESCommunity MobilizerCarolina Farm Stewardship Association CHRISTY SHI DAYEngagement Strategist / FacilitatorCEFS / NC State University LARISSA CALANCIEFood Policy Council ResearcherUNC Gillings School of Public Health