FOOD POLICY GATHERING SUNDAY IN FORT MYERS
This Sunday, Florida will make history with the first member convening of the Florida Food Policy Council in Fort Myers. This meeting follows the UF/IFAS Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference being held April 1-2 at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive at Town Center, Fort Myers, Florida. The Food Policy Council convening will be held on Sunday from 9:30am to 3pm.
The event is sponsored by Winter Park Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida, Florida Blue Foundation and Heal the Planet and will feature food policy expert Mark Winne, author of Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty. Winne will lead the group in solidifying desired goals, identifying the membership and governance process and making the new organization as member-driven and grassroots in character as possible. All segments of the food chain are encouraged to be represented.
Winne’s efforts will help focus the functions and time frames for development of the emerging council including expectations and roles for its emerging leadership. Members will be invited to enroll in three initial committees to focus the work of the burgeoning council – 1) Organizational development; 2) Communication and outreach; 3) Policy issues, research and assessment.
Organizations from across Florida expected to be represented include: UF/IFAS, Florida A&M University, University of South Florida, University of North Florida, Greater Marco Family YMCA, Florida Food & Farm, LLC, Urban Oasis Project, Root & Tail Farm, Food Policy Council of Indian River County, Apalachee Food Council, Audubon Community Market/Gather & Grow, LLC, GMO Free Florida, and local Community Redevelopment Agencies.
The Florida Food Policy Council provides an opportunity to participate in the state’s rapidly developing local food movement, supporting efforts to develop more sustainable and just food systems.
Membership is $25 which includes admission to this event and other events throughout the year. Lunch will be available for purchase at the event site. Please visit flfpc.org to join and register register for the workshop. Please email flfpsteering@gmail.com for more information.
The Florida Food Policy Council’s Inaugural Membership Meeting will be held Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 9:30am to 3pm at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive at Town Center, Fort Myers.
Contact: SHARON YEAGO: 352-256-8115