S.C. Food Policy Council Beth Crocker, SC Dept. of Agriculture & Susan Frost, SC Dept. of Health & Environmental Control August 24, 2010

Presentation Overview This is an update on the most recent activities of the S.C. Food Policy council, which includes: This is an update on the most recent activities of the S.C. Food Policy council, which includes: –supporting a statewide Farm to School program in SC –visiting and learning more about food safety and local vegetable productions at W.P. Rawl & Sons –hosting the first Sustainable Local SC Food Systems Workshop on January 29, 2010.

Mission To provide a forum for stakeholders in the food, health and agricultural sectors to: share ideas share ideas collaborate on solutions & research collaborate on solutions & research investigate & report investigate & report on the food system in SC, the sustainability of agriculture and how it affects the people of SC.

SC FPC History March 2005, steering committee formed March 2005, steering committee formed March 2006, first general membership meeting March 2006, first general membership meeting The FPC serves as a forum for members to share their concerns as well as their progress on programs and initiatives that are related to the food system here in South Carolina. The FPC serves as a forum for members to share their concerns as well as their progress on programs and initiatives that are related to the food system here in South Carolina. The Council reports annually to the S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture with recommendations for ways to improve and support SC Food Systems. The Council reports annually to the S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture with recommendations for ways to improve and support SC Food Systems.

FPC Board of Directors Organizations represented on the Board Organizations represented on the Board –SC Department of Education –Clemson University –University of SC –SC School of Public Health –SC Department of Health & Environmental Control (DNPAO) –SC Farm Bureau –Anderson County Farm to School –Wil-Moore Farm –Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc. –Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc.

Farm to School The 2009 S.C. Food Policy Council report focused on the benefits and need for a Statewide Farm to School Program in SC. The 2009 S.C. Food Policy Council report focused on the benefits and need for a Statewide Farm to School Program in SC. During the legislative session, House Bill 3179 was introduced. During the legislative session, House Bill 3179 was introduced.

Local Farm to School Action In May 2010, the SC Dept. of Education & Lexington County School District, instituted their own “Farm to School” month. In May 2010, the SC Dept. of Education & Lexington County School District, instituted their own “Farm to School” month. Partnership with W.P. Rawl farms, which is local in Lexington County. Partnership with W.P. Rawl farms, which is local in Lexington County. USDA presence. USDA presence. Everyone invited to have lunch at Pelion Elementary School. Everyone invited to have lunch at Pelion Elementary School.

FPC Board Meeting at W.P. Rawl Farm in Pelion, SC Tour of state of the art packing facility, led by fellow board member, Charles Wingard, family member & Director of Field Operations Tour of state of the art packing facility, led by fellow board member, Charles Wingard, family member & Director of Field Operations Frank discussion about food safety and: Frank discussion about food safety and: –costs associated with safety precautions such as paperwork and audits involved in maintaining high food safety standards. –These trends are likely to increase in the future. The board also discussed the future of farming and potential challenges including: The board also discussed the future of farming and potential challenges including: –land availability (encroaching urban areas, land prices, etc) –water availability –overall increasing input costs associated with growing and harvesting high-quality, fresh produce.

Sustainable Local Food Systems Workshop January 29, 2010 – Columbia, SC January 29, 2010 – Columbia, SC Almost 100 people registered & attended Almost 100 people registered & attended All Local foods served to strengthen the message of Local Food Systems. All Local foods served to strengthen the message of Local Food Systems. Diversity of attendees: governmental agencies, community organizations, farmers, planners, food banks, etc. Diversity of attendees: governmental agencies, community organizations, farmers, planners, food banks, etc.

Sustainability of Local Food Systems Workshop Speakers & Presentations Speaker on Economic Benefits – Hugh Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture Speaker on Economic Benefits – Hugh Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture Speaker on Environmental Benefits – Walter Douglas, NRCS-USDA Speaker on Environmental Benefits – Walter Douglas, NRCS-USDA Speaker on Health (Nutritional) Benefits - Erika Kirby, SC DHEC Speaker on Health (Nutritional) Benefits - Erika Kirby, SC DHEC Speaker on Food Safety – Susan Barefoot, Clemson University Speaker on Food Safety – Susan Barefoot, Clemson University Speaker on Food Equality/Access Issues – Darcy Freedman, Univ. of SC Speaker on Food Equality/Access Issues – Darcy Freedman, Univ. of SC

Sustainability of Local Food Systems Workshop Speakers & Presentations Farm to School in Anderson County, SC Farm to School in Anderson County, SC Institutional Dining Services– University of SC Institutional Dining Services– University of SC Local Foods in School Food Service – SC Department of Education Local Foods in School Food Service – SC Department of Education Sustainability Practices on the Farm & in Food Processing - Charles Wingard, farmer with W.P. Rawl & Sons Sustainability Practices on the Farm & in Food Processing - Charles Wingard, farmer with W.P. Rawl & Sons Plant a Row Project Plant a Row Project Hub City Farmers Market – Spartanburg, SC Hub City Farmers Market – Spartanburg, SC

Lessons Learned from Workshop Active involvement by Commissioner of Agriculture and other state leaders was important. Active involvement by Commissioner of Agriculture and other state leaders was important. Local initiatives stimulated interest/modeling examples. Local initiatives stimulated interest/modeling examples. Information we take for granted was new to many participants. Information we take for granted was new to many participants. The morning speakers/panel informed the afternoon discussion groups. The morning speakers/panel informed the afternoon discussion groups. Local food products now an option at the conference center. Local food products now an option at the conference center.

Discussion Groups Economic & Farm Sustainability Economic & Farm Sustainability Health, Food Accessibility & Equity Health, Food Accessibility & Equity Food Safety/Food Processing Challenges Food Safety/Food Processing Challenges Environment Environment

Recommendations from Final Report of Sustainability of Local Food Systems Workshop. Expand & Diversify MarketingExpand & Diversify Marketing Increase Processing FacilitiesIncrease Processing Facilities Respond to Distribution Channel ChallengesRespond to Distribution Channel Challenges Educate Leaders and Consumers about the Impact of Buying/Using Local Ag ProductsEducate Leaders and Consumers about the Impact of Buying/Using Local Ag Products Keep the Farm & the Farmer in Business Increase Access & Availability to Healthy, Locally Grown Foods Create & Sustain Environmentally Friendly Farming Operations Ensure Food Safety of South Carolina Products from Farm to Consumer

Future Plans Recommendations from the report will guide the on-going work of the FPC Recommendations from the report will guide the on-going work of the FPC –Determine priorities –Identify lead organizations for priorities

Thank You! SC Food Policy Council SC Food Policy Council D=697 D=697 Beth Crocker Beth Crocker Susan Frost Susan Frost