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Chris is a native Floridian, born and raised in Hastings, Florida. The son of a 4^th generation farmer, Chris was raised helping his family on their commercial farm. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, he returned to his family’s farm to help manage production of their potato crop. After returning to the farm, he participated in the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute, where he graduated a fellow of Class IX. Through his experience on his family’s farm, Chris gained an appreciation for the complex relationship between modern commercial agricultural production and the natural resources upon which agriculture depends. He saw first-hand how disconnects that often exist between the agriculture industry and environmentalists or others concerned about the health of the environment and the sustainability of our food production often fosters misunderstanding that inhibits trust and cooperation that can prevent meaningful improvement in our food systems. As a result, Chris decided to pursue a law degree and focus on environmental law.  

Chris was accepted and attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where, in 2015, he earned his J.D. with a certificate in environmental and land-use law. While in law school, Chris interned at Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic where he was introduced to the broader complexities of modern food systems and developed an interest in food law and policy. During his time working at the Clinic, Chris had the opportunity to work on developing policies aimed at reducing food waste by clarifying food labeling, nationally. He also worked with a non-profit based in La Paz, Bolivia to help develop and recommend food polices aimed at increasing access to nutritious food within La Paz. 

Today, Chris lives in West Palm Beach and works for the law firm, Lewis, Longman & Walker, as an environmental attorney. He represents a spectrum of clients from local governments, to Indian tribes, to private landowners, including agricultural producers, on complex issues involving environmental permitting and natural resource protection and development. He remains interested in food policy and using his skills, experience, and insights to foster meaningful improvements to food systems throughout Florida.  

October was a whirlwind for the Florida Food Policy Council. We visited cities all over the state to connect with our members and become familiar with new leaders working in various sectors related to food.

On October 17^th, FLFPC Chair Rachel Shapiro represented us as a judge at the GuideWell Block by Block Insecurity Challenge in Orlando. There she met with leaders around the state who are working tirelessly to develop innovative approaches to solving food security. Some of the greatest benefits that came out of the event were the conversations, collaborations, and the realization that working together as a group would enable organizations to make a greater impact in communities by multiplying what they were already doing individually.

The Tampa Bay Urban Food Sovereignty Summit at the University of South Florida was our next stop on October 22^nd.  FLFPC Policy Committee Chair and USF Department of Religious Studies Associate Chair Dell deChant hosted the event. His enthusiasm captured the interest and attention of over 150 attendees. Also speaking at the event was FLFPC Development Committee Chair and Urban and Regional Planning specialist Anthony Olivieri, who presented on “Food Sovereignty via Land Use Policy Activation.” His inspiring speech brought a new perspective on the issue of food sovereignty through the lens of policy for many of the attendees. FLFPC Administrative Assistant Kyndra Love was also in attendance, sharing information and connecting with food advocates at the FLFPC table. Overall, the event was a huge success in providing awareness of food issues and bringing together community members to further the conversation on this important topic.

In Miami, on October 23^rd, the FLFPC attended the Sustainability and Digitalization Leaders Conference. This event brought together innovators and leaders from around the world working with technology to improve the food system. Attending the event, Chair Rachel Shapiro and South Florida Regional Liaison Tom Pellizzetti learned about new ways technology can be used to reshape the food system and discussed how related policies and legislation can better support access to a sustainable, equitable future.

Over three days, from October 24 to 26^th, we moved to North Florida for our Regional Gatherings. Held in three cities: Panama Beach City, Tallahassee, and Saint Augustine, Chair Rachel Shapiro and Board Member Christopher Johns led the gatherings which included discussions on understanding, researching, evaluating, and advocating for public food policy. The events enabled us to better understand the issues and concerns of our members, and inspired us to create new goals in educating and informing Floridians going forward.  

As we met with the many passionate people involved in improving the food system around the state, we were left with a stronger sense of purpose. As we move into the new year, we are excited to continue connecting stakeholders and facilitating dialog, and especially educating Floridians on how to become food citizens.

"Planting trees helps us create a cooler and greener future for the City Beautiful. Trees planted in the right place can also help maximize shade and increase your energy savings." - City of Orlando

Under the One Tree, One Person program, the City of Orlando has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation, Orlando Utilities Commission and the Florida Forest Service, to increase Orlando’s urban tree canopy to 40 percent by providing city residents with free trees for their private yards. 

"If every resident planted a tree in the City of Orlando, our tree canopy would increase from 25 percent to 40 percent? That’s like taking nearly 40,000 cars off the road."

This program is available to residents who live within the city limits of Orlando. You can check your eligibility here: Orlando Information Locator

Currently, four species of canopy and understory trees are being offered: Persimmon, Tea Olive, Chinese Pistache and Dahoon Holly. 

You can get your free tree here and find the best place to plant it in your yard.

Check out the City of Orlando's website to learn more about planting, care and maintenance of trees in Orlando. 

The Florida Food Policy Council was recently featured in an October article published on Food Tank's website.

In the article titled "Florida's Food Policy Council: Building a Platform to Drive Change,"  writer Lana Chehabeddine touches on our mission, current projects, and goals going forward.

Chair, Rachel Shapiro explains about the FLFPC in the interview, “We provide a statewide network and platform on which food system stakeholders can communicate and collaborate…and we are building a database of food-related laws throughout the state…in order to provide a sound foundation for any recommendations.”

Indeed, we are evolving and growing. “The approach we have taken as a group is to taste the flavor of the land and form relationships and connections before getting started on any initiatives…This facilitates the next steps of policy research and change,” continued Rachel.

As we move into the next phase we are excited for what lies ahead and are excited to continue to educate Floridians to become food citizens. 

To read the full Food Tank article click here.

Tribute to Outgoing Board Member John Buschman 

John Buschman has been an FLFPC board member for over two years. He joined the organization as a founding member in 2016 and has provided us with valuable guidance, energy and passion. His knowledge, dedication, and wisdom have been greatly appreciated and we will miss him dearly.  

John is a Florida food hero! He has been dedicated to ending hunger and utilizing the resources of the international event industry to facilitate a more sustainable future for all of us for decades. He is a thoughtful and caring family man and a generous teacher. His steadfast presence and knowledge have been invaluable contributions to our team.   

We are thankful for John’s partnership and dedication to the Florida food system and we look forward to seeing what lies ahead!  

We wish you all the best! 

John Buschman is a Lecturer at Florida International University’s (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism in Miami. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from FIU’s Robert Stempel School of Public Health & Social Work while he earned his Masters’ degree in Hospitality Management from FIU and his Bachelors’ degree in Travel and Tourism Management from Michigan State University.  His doctoral research centered on the problem area of community food insecurity.  John is particularly interested in the role that the hospitality industry has to play in our food systems as he helps to educate current and next generations of hospitality managers on their social responsibilities toward the communities in which they live and work.  

Join the FLFPC for an exciting day of sharing needs and gaining knowledge to further Florida food and policy efforts! The 2019 North Florida Regional Gatherings will be held in three cities over three days from October 24-26.

What will you do?  

-Learn about the Florida food system

-Discover what the FLFPC has been up to 

-Develop valuable skills in researching and evaluating public policy

-Meet and network with fellow members 

-Contribute to the discussion on food policy 

Registration is open now!  

Registration is free for current members or $25 for new members, which includes your annual dues. 

Please register for the date you want to attend:

October 24th, 3:00-5:00pm - Panama City Library

12500 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

October 25th, 3:30-5:30pm - Leroy Collins Leroy County Public Library

200 W Park Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32301

October 26th, 10am-12pm - The Floridian Restaurant

72 Spanish Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

For more information, contact info@flfpc.org. 

In celebration of National Voter Registration Day, we want to encourage you to register to vote!

What seems like a complicated process is not so difficult. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know.

What is the Election timeline for 2020?

There are two important primary elections in Florida that take place leading up to the General Election in November. The dates are as follows: 

March 17, 2020 - The Presidential Preference Primary

August 18, 2020 - The Primary Election

November 3, 2020 - The General Election

What is the Presidential Preference Primary?

The 2020 Presidential Preference Primary Election (PPP) is on March 17, 2020.

The PPP is part of the nominating process for the United States presidential election. Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary is a closed-primary election. This means that in order to be eligible to vote in the primary, you must be registered with one of Florida’s major political parties.

However, local nonpartisan elections may be held at the same time as the PPP Election. In those elections, all eligible voters can vote for those local races. For further information, contact your county Supervisor of Elections.

When is the deadline to register to vote in the PPP?

The registration deadline for the 2020 PPP is February 18 by 11:59 p.m.

The deadline to register to participate in an upcoming election is 29 days before the election. Because of the Federal holiday on Feb. 17th, the deadline is extended to the next business day.

How do I register to vote?

There are a number of ways you can register to vote. Registering online at RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov is one of the easiest ways. By registering online, you can submit a new registration application immediately or update your existing record.

Other places to register include:

-A Florida driver license office

-A tax collector’s office that issues driver licenses or Florida identification cards

-The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s online website for renewing a driver license or state identification card

-A voter registration agency such as a public assistance office or public library

-By mail or in person. The statewide voter registration application form is available for download (English PDF/ Español PDF). The form contains detailed information as to how to submit the form to your county Supervisor of Elections.

-For military or overseas U.S. citizens, you may register to vote and request a vote-by-mail ballot at the same time by using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Go to the web page on Military and Overseas Voting for further details.

If you have problems registering online, the Voter Assistance Hotline can help:

Phone Number: 1-866-308-6739

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
If you are hearing or speech impaired, contact the Division using the Florida Relay Service, 1.800.955.8771 (TDD) or 1.800.955-8770 (Voice). 

How do I vote in the PPP?

Whether during early voting, vote-by-mail or election day voting, there are many ways your voice can be heard!

Early Voting: The early voting period must start at least on the 10th day before the election and end on the 3rd day before the election. Contact your local county Supervisor of Elections for local information on early voting.

Vote-by-Mail: The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed is no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election. However, the ballot must still be received by the Supervisor of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day if the voted ballot is to count. Exceptions exist for overseas military and civilian voters.

A request for a vote-by-mail ballot may be made in one of the following ways:

- Online application on your county Supervisors of Elections' website

- In writing (e.g., by email, fax, mail) to Supervisor of Elections
- In person at Supervisor of Elections
- By telephone call to Supervisor of Elections

Election Day Voting: The polls are open on Election Day, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Any voters waiting in line at 7:00 p.m. will have the opportunity to cast a ballot. If you do not know where your polling place is, contact your county Supervisor of Elections.

Whether during early voting or on Election Day, you will be asked to provide at the polls a valid photo ID with signature. Any one of the following photo IDs will be accepted:

• Florida driver’s license

• Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

• United States passport

• Debit or credit card

• Military identification

• Student identification

• Retirement center identification

• Neighborhood association identification

• Public assistance identification

• Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

• License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06

• Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature.

If you do not bring proper ID, you can still vote a provisional ballot. As long as you are eligible and voted in the proper precinct, your provisional ballot will count provided the signature on your provisional ballot matches the signature in your registration record.

When is the Primary Election and General Election?

The Primary Election will be on August 18, 2020. The registration deadline to participate in the Primary Election is July 20, 2020.

The General Election will be on November 3, 2020. The registration deadline to participate in the General Election is October 5, 2020.

Note: Special elections may be called at any time during the year. Local elections may also be held throughout the year. Check the Local Elections Database which contain dates as reported by the county for elections (county-specific, municipal, special district, or other local election) scheduled within one county. Contact your county Supervisor of Elections for the most up-to-date information.

On Monday, September 16th, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services led by Commissioner Nikki Fried launched the department's new website FDACS.gov, previously FreshFromFlorida.com.

The launch was first announced by Commissioner Fried in a video on Twitter. 

In a press release, Commissioner Fried describes positives about the new website as being a "mobile-optimized" and "user-friendly site" that makes renewing a license, filing a consumer complaint, and finding information easier.

With this rebranding, the Department hopes to help Floridians access information and services more easily.

According to the Department, "The redesigned website creates a more efficient user experience, with a new layout responsive for all platforms. Clearer navigation, streamlined menus, and a user location-personalized home page make finding local contacts and resources simpler, such as nearby farmers’ markets and job opportunities."

If you haven't visited the site yet, it's worth exploring.

“From supporting Florida’s farmers and ranchers, to protecting consumers from credit card fraud, fake charities, telemarketers, and travel scams, the responsibilities of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services are broad, and our new website reflects all the ways we’re proud to serve Floridians,” said Fried. 

On Wednesday, October 23, 2019 from 2-4 PM in Stuart, Florida, network with food system participants, including farmers, chefs, processors, food pantries/banks, retailers, consumers, and others.

The Martin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Advisory Committee, in cooperation with Localecopia, the City of Stuart, and UF/IFAS Extension Martin County, will be hosting this free event which is open to the public. To register, please visit the event website here.

For interested vendors who would like to showcase their produce, food products or information about your organization, free booths, tables and chairs are available. Vendors are asked to register by October 1, 2019.

For more information, visit the event page or contact event coordinator Geoffrey Sagrans by email (info@localecopia.org) or phone (561) 512-3429.

On Tuesday October 22nd from 5:30-8pm, listen to presentations by FLFPC's own Dell deChant and Anthony Olivieri and stop by our table at the Tampa Bay Urban Food Sovereignty Summit. This event, hosted by the USF Urban Food Sovereignty Group, is free and open to the public.  

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about food sovereignty and hear from several speakers, including: Dr. Brooke Hansen, Director of Sustainable Tourism at USF, Chris Kenrick, Director of Sweetwater Organic Farm, Anthony Olivieri, Chair of the Development Committee for the Florida Food Policy Council, Dell deChant, Convener USFGrand Master Instructor in the Department of Religious Studies at USF and Co-Chair of the Policy Committee for the FLFPC, as well as Avalon Theisen, Student in the Department of Religious Studies at USF.

For more information, contact cas-rsvp@usf.edu.