City, County, Local Matters Announce Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan
For Immediate Release
November 24, 2014
For More Information:
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Hanna Greer-Brown,
Franklin County Board of Commissioners, 525-5848
Councilmember
Priscilla Tyson is partnering with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and Local Matters, a non-profit transforming the Central Ohio food system through food education, to launch the Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan, a community effort to create a stronger, more sustainable local food system. Columbus City Council will consider legislation to provide city funding for the plan at its November 24th meeting.
“The Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan will help Central Ohioans lead healthier lives by improving their access to quality, affordable foods,” said Councilmember Tyson, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. “The plan will also help reduce food waste and enhance coordination and communication among existing food resources and agencies in our community.” The Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan will include data collection and the analysis of food supply and demand in Columbus and Franklin County. The plan will incorporate the input of local food experts and stakeholder groups to develop recommendations that will make it easier for Columbus residents to access nutritious foods.
County Commissioner John O’Grady will attend the November 24th Columbus City Council meeting to speak about the need for a comprehensive plan to increase the availability of nutritious food in Central Ohio. Councilmember Tyson will address the Franklin County Board of Commissioners at their November 25th meeting to discuss Council’s goals for the Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan.
“The Franklin County Commissioners have long been committed to supporting local food producers, and encouraging the local food movement,” said Commissioner O’Grady. “This partnership resolution to create a Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan is the logical next step to help find the gaps in our current food infrastructure, and fill them to strengthen the local food economy as well as improve access to healthy food. It’s a really exciting initiative.”The Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan is a product of planning and community engagement initiated last year by Local Matters to understand the health and food access needs of Columbus neighborhoods. Local Matters’ experience and expertise will help guide the development of the plan, which is expected to be released in the summer of 2016.
“Local Matters has long been working to transform our community’s food system through public education and increased access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food,” said Local Matters Executive Director Michelle Moskowitz Brown. “The proposed Columbus – Franklin County Food Action Plan represents a great step forward for the local food system in Columbus and Franklin County, and we’re thrilled the city and county have chosen to invest in such a critical initiative.”
-30-