New Western NC Food Policy Council Sets the Table for Community Economic Development

Farmer’s Food Share – Courtesy of Donn Young Photography <p>Food is connecting communities to each other in new ways in western North Carolina. Last spring, Western Carolina University (WCU) held a forum on the causes and consequences of poverty in western North Carolina.  The result was the new Western NC Food Policy Council.   The overall mission of the Council is “planning and advocating for greater food security and stronger food economies in…Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Swain, Macon, Jackson and Haywood (counties).”    The project will assist with guiding, coordinating, implementing, and funding food projects in the far west region, with the Public Policy Institute of WCU providing administrative support.</p> <p>The Council is impressive because of how quickly it came together with support across a wide range of sectors in the communities.   The project aims to bring together food providers, distribution networks, policy leaders, food security agencies, and economic advocates.   The full 49-member council includes elected officials, state agency representatives, food pantry operators, farmers, local government officials, planners, and non-profit directors, among a wide variety of other professionals.  At this point, the Council is forming two main committees to work on specific goals and projects to reach those goals:  an Education/Wellness/Outreach Committee and a Farmer Support and Economic Development Committee.</p> <p>The work in western North Carolina is reflective of a growing interest nationwide and in North Carolina with connecting public health issues, the local food movement, community and urban gardens, local community social needs and local economic development efforts.   Consider the National Farm to School Network, which connects schools [...]</p>