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FLORIDA FOOD POLICY COUNCIL SETS JULY 16 MEETING IN TALLAHASSEE

The Florida Food Policy Council (FFPC) held its 2nd Membership Meeting on Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Tallahassee at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Viticulture and Small Fruit Research Center. The event was sponsored by Winter Park Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida, Florida Blue Foundation, FAMU and the University of Florida, Institute of Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS.) In addition to the Tallahassee site, FFPC members joined via video conference from Collier County Extension Service in Naples.

The second Membership meeting built on the work done at the first meeting in Ft Myers in April with national food policy expert Mark Winne. This meeting was hosted by Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Program Leader of Florida A&M University’s Statewide Small Farm program. The day was facilitated by Rachel Shapiro, Chair of the Florida Food Policy board of directors and Executive Director of Heal the Planet based in Broward County, and Bakari McClendon, Network Director, Tallahassee Food Network and owner of Uniquely Qualified Consulting of Tallahassee. The group continued to identify key issues about the entire food system in Florida and sought to develop a larger network of interested citizens, advocates, and professionals.

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. All segments of the food chain should be represented in these meetings. Membership is required which encourages engagement and helps support the effort.

The 3rd Membership Meeting of 2016 will be held on Sunday, September 11th, 2016 at 12:30 pm at East End Market, Winter Park, following the Florida Local Food Summit. Details for this event will be announced soon.

FLFPC Membership is $25 individual, $10 student and $60 small business, which includes admission (either in person or virtual) to our events and other events throughout the year. Please visit flfpc.org to join/register or email flfpsteering@gmail.com for more information.