GCRFPC Mission : To promote a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food system for all within Greater Cincinnati’s ten-county region. We Value: Health and Wellness: A food system that enhances public health through food security, nutrition, and production. Social Justice: A food system with equitable access to healthy foods and living wage jobs. Local Economic Development: A food system that contributes to the economic vitality of our region. Environmental Sustainability: A food system that promotes sustainable agricultural practices and protects and restores the environment and natural resources. Collaboration: A food system that thrives because of strong collaboration among regional stakeholders. Measurable Impact: Utilization of data to measure progress toward a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food system. GCRFPC Goals: Encourage healthy food access for all residents in the region. Encourage regional‐based production of local foods and value‐added food products. Promote flexible and stable local and regional food distribution systems. Promote community development to support local foods and coalitions. Advocate for food security for all residents in the region. What is Food Policy? Broadly defined, food policy is a set of collective decisions made by governments at all levels, businesses, and organizations that affect how food gets from the farm to your table. A food policy can be as broad as a federal regulation on food labeling or as local and specific as a zoning law that lets city dwellers raise honeybees. Decisions range from formal pieces of legislation to voluntary guidelines and administrative processes that allow for certain programs to flourish. The GCRFPC is an initiative of Green Umbrella and is funded by Interact for Health, The Haile Foundation, and Partners for Places. Director Angie Carl may be reached at Rothenburg School Rooftop Garden

Our Work Groups Forty regional food system representatives currently serve on the GCR Food Policy Council. Each member works in one of the following work groups. Healthy Food Access and Consumption Goal: Encourage healthy food access and consumption for all residents in Greater Cincinnati. 1.Advocate at the state level to include the policy recommendations outlined in the food trust document that was used as the impetus of the newly created Ohio Fresh Food Financing Fund 2.Engage in advocacy and policy initiatives to create funding streams to expand the Produce Perks program in the region. 3.Develop a plan to incentivize corner stores/small food retail to sell fresh fruits and vegetables including policy options on local level. Food Production and Land Use Goal: Encourage regional-based production of foods and value-added food products. 1.Determine a baseline for food production and agricultural land use. 2.Establish policy drafts to increase food production and agricultural land use. Distribution and Procurement Community Assessment, Planning and Zoning Goal: Promote flexible and stable local and regional food distribution systems. 1.Food Safety – Policy Engagement and Stakeholder Support at the federal, state, and/or local level. 2.Research, Development, and Promotion of Local Food Procurement Policies for Area Institutions Goal: Support regional foods and associated coalitions through data collection and dissemination, policy recommendations, and community planning. 1.Conduct Food System Assessment, including mapping and data base development. 2.Promote awareness and inclusion of the food system in regional planning. 3.Identify and recommend zoning best practices and policies related to agriculture. 4.Determine and recommend best practice policies and procedures regarding food waste. Larry Falkin, Mike Fackler, and Angie Carl with Food Policy consultant Mark Winne