Calling all activists, educators, citizens and conscious-eaters living in Multnomah County! There is an upcoming and excellent opportunity to participate in the discussion and planning of food policy for our community. The Portland Food Policy Council will have its next general meeting on Wednesday, March, 10 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Rose Room, Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave.
According to the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability,
The Food Policy Council is a citizen-based advisory council to the City of Portland and Multnomah County. The Council brings citizens and professionals together from the region to address issues regarding food access, land use planning issues, local food purchasing plans and many other policy initiatives in the current regional food system.
For any of readers of this blog that live in the county, this is a really great way to see what creating policy looks like. I think many people (myself included) have a naive understanding of how ideals take form in policy. When a council like this evolves and wants to enable ALL members of the conversation to participate, the challenges arise. Obviously, those who seek to make money by improving the local food system will be present and eager to have their agenda pushed. And then of course, politicians will want to support businesses because their financial support helps re-elect them.
At the same time, a council like this is incredibly important for citizens like myself (and many of you.) If you have any interest or stake in the food system in this community, here is an opportunity to voice your ideas. When you look at the food system as a whole there are many distinct functions. They want to hear from those participating in production, distribution, access, consumption, processing and recycling. Since most of us are consumers, and consumer’s money influences the means of production and distribution, we have a strong voice in the conversation.
As consumers we need transparency. In order to improve the health of ourselves and families, as well as sustain the environment and economy, there must be a clear and understandable connection from production to distribution to consumption to waste and recycling. There are multifaceted effects to each of these steps, and each of these impact the quality, cost and accessibility of healthy food. As long as any of these issues are of concern to you, I suggest you join me in attendance of the next meeting.
See you there!
Related posts:
- Critical Food Literacy and a Sustainable Food Movement
- Sourcing “The Local”
- A Future Food Project (or) An Idea is Born
- An Intentional Local Food System
- “The Portland Meat Collective” (or) The Grass-Fed Manifesto (part 4)
Tags: Food Politics, local food movement, portland