Welcome to the Durham Farm and Food Network Interest Meeting

THE WHY, WHAT, AND HOW OF FOOD COUNCILS Jared Cates Community Mobilizer Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

What are food councils? What do they do? How are food councils forming in North Carolina? How do food councils develop?

Delivering Producing Processing MarketingPurchasing Consuming Disposing Food System Elements The way in which we feed ourselves represents a complex system.

Transport Produce Transform PackageRetail Consume Compost Political FinancialSocial/ Cultural Contextual/ Environmental Adapted from Cornell’s “Discovering the Food System” curriculum. Community Food Systems

A system, by definition, involves complexity and many, many connections.

Working in complex, interconnected systems presents many challenges.

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

Blind Men and the Elephant By John Godfrey Saxe (1816–1887 We often have a limited view of the system.

poverty aging farmers loss of farmland poor diet choices Solutions are often unknown, because the causes are complex.

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

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

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

Food councils drive action – through policy and programming recommendations.

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

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

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

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

In the last ten years, there has been a sharp rise nationwide 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.

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

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

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

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

One regional group is reconfiguring council development to a local level. SENCFS Feast 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

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

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

An emerging trend is a formal collaboration between community and government. 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 Capital Area Food Network Chatham Food Council

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?

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

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? 3-6 Months Seed Start-Up Growth Expansion Mature

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

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

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

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

Questions? Jared Cates (919) Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Pittsboro, NC