With the staggering rise in early childhood obesity and headlines about genetically engineered crops, dependancy on foreign oil, food miles, climate change and global food shortages, the public is becoming more aware and, increasing concerned about the nutritional integrity of our food, and how policy influences the way our food is grown, processed and transported. A “perfect storm” is brewing that brings a multitude of food security, social justice and economic issues to the fore front of public interest.
This past November the Northeast Ohio Food Congress held a conference with food advocates and seek out ways to develop a regional food economy. One of the organizers, Chris Norman, Director from Crown Point Ecology Center and Beth Knorr from the Countryside Conservancy are co-chairing a working group of community advocates, businesses leaders, government planners and educators to explore starting a County Food Policy Council in Summit County.
On a very snowy January 28th was the first meeting of the Greater Akron Food Policy Coalition. Round River Consulting (http://www.roundriverconsulting.com/home.htm) led the group through the first stage of developing our guiding principles. We will be meeting in Feb. to cement working groups. All food advocate are welcome and needed.
I came across this great You Tube video about urban "homesteader" Jules Dervaes. Very inspiring.
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