1. THE WHY, WHAT, AND HOW OF FOOD COUNCILS Christy Shi Day

2. Cooperative Extension Social Services Farm Bureau Higher Education Educators (K-12) Local Farm & Food Orgs Community Gardens Natural Resource Conservation Service Food Banks 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 Many people have a role to play in community food systems development. Farm Service Agency Smart Start Sea Grant

3. With so many people involved, how do we know who’s doing what and what’s working?

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

7. In the last ten years, there has been a sharp rise in food council development.

8. In 2010, Community Food Security Coalition directory listed 92 FPCs.

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

10. There is no set formula for what food councils do, but most provide several key functions. Drive Action Focus Attention Facilitate Cxns

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

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

16. Food councils drive action – through policy and programming recommendations.

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

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

21. Food council interest has increased significantly, in many different forms, across North Carolina. Local or Regional Food Councils in 2012 - Councils presenting to NC Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council in Sept 2012 - Councils self-identified but did not present

22. 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 - Council activity present, or emerging

23. 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

24. Others are totally independent of government. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council  Established 2010  501(c)3 Non-Profit  Independent of city / county government  Must raise money for staffing and resources

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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 Raleigh Wake Food Policy Council Chatham Food Council

31. 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?

32. 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

33.  Does it already exist?  Is there any history?  Task force volunteers?  Government interest?  Community interest?  Facilitation support? During the seed phase, a community considers whether a food council might be worthwhile. 3-6 Months Seed Start-Up GrowthExpansion Mature

34. 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 GrowthExpansion Mature

35. 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 12-18 Months Seed Start-Up GrowthExpansion Mature

36. 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 12-24 Months Seed Start-Up GrowthExpansion Mature

37. 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 GrowthExpansion Mature

38. Stop and Consider… What might happen if a council omits or rushes through any of these steps?

39. Introducing Our Panelists LARISSA CALANCIE Food Policy Council Researcher UNC Gillings School of Public Health ANNIE MARTINIE Food Council Task Force Facilitator Community Transformation Grants JARED CATES Community Mobilizer Carolina Farm Stewardship Association RICK MORSE UNC SOG Associate Professor Public Administration & Government JOHN DAY Retired Cabarrus County Manager Local Food Council of NC Task Force CHRISTY SHI DAY Engagement Strategist / Facilitator CEFS / NC State University