"Who's Who in Local Foods" on August 24

Posted on 8.21.12

Photos by AVERY ARTMAN

The Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council (ABFPC) is a volunteer organization that brings together the many individuals and groups concerned with food security in Western North Carolina. It serves as a forum for discussing food issues while facilitating communication between sectors in the food system.

Eight groups, or “clusters,” focus on a specific area of food policy and formulate proposals that are later refined by the General Council. They are Access, Asset Mapping, Food Security, Health & Education, Land Use, Legislation & Advocacy, Local Food Flow, and Communications. From advocating for accountability of food producers to putting the needs of others into the language of governmental policy, these clusters tackle the communication hindrances that keep recommendations from becoming proposals.

The General Council, consisting of two representatives from each of the eight clusters, acts as the collective “voice” of the Council and communicates with the City of Asheville to implement policies that make our local food system more environmentally sustainable and socially just. The Council meets monthly.

“Who’s Who in Local Foods,” hosted by the “Health, Wellness, & Education Cluster” of the ABFPC, will take place at the Wilma A. Sherrill Center on Friday, August 24 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. This is learning event for both members of the ABFPC and the community and will feature presentations by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), Manna Food Bank, Blue Ridge Food Ventures, GroWNC, Bountiful Cities, Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services, NC Cooperative Extension, Lord’s Acre, Black Mountain Health Initiative, Carolina Farm Stewardship, ABCCM, and the Organic Growers School. This community colloquium seeks to encourage collaboration among organizations concerned with food security, creating healthy communities, and supporting sustainable farming practices.

Interested in learning more about the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council or want to get involved in this important work? Check out the ABFPC website at abfoodpolicy.com and “like” them on facebook. Comments or questions? Contact the Asheville-Bumcombe Food Policy Council at info@abfoodpolicy.com.