The Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council is making a decisive start to the new year. Check out their plans for a Food Action Plan to improve the city’s food security, and find out how you can get involved at their informational meeting on Friday, Feb. 1.
Here are the details from the press release:
For the first time in its history, Asheville’s City Council will consider a plan to improve the city’s food security. The Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council (A/B FPC) collaborated with the Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment (SACEE) to create the first City of Asheville Food Action Plan. The plan will go before Asheville City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
The Asheville MSA has been identified as one of the most food insecure in the nation. Food Security is defined as “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life”. Many organizations are working to alleviate the challenges of food insecurity, and one-year ago an Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council was convened to address the strengthening of our local food systems and serve as a forum for action-oriented food policy discussions. Throughout the past year, over 350 volunteers have worked together to identify and propose innovative solutions to spur local economic development and create environmentally sustainable and socially just food systems.
The proposed City of Asheville Food Action Plan includes goals including: removing barriers to local food production and distribution, creation of a citywide curbside composting program, and the use of edible landscaping as a priority for public property.
“Dedication to this cause is going to reduce poverty, improve public health, strengthen local commerce, and create a more sustainable land-use future for Asheville and Buncombe County,” says City Council Member and A/B FPC participant Gordon Smith.
Community members are invited to attend the first A/B FPC meeting of the new year. It’s 4 – 6 pm on Friday, Feb. 1 at the Mountain View Room in the UNCA Sherrill Center.
To learn more about this and other upcoming events, email: Dayna Reggero, daynareggeropr@gmail.com, or connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshevilleBuncombeFoodPolicyCouncil.
Full Year One Snapshot: http://www.abfoodpolicy.org/year-one-snapshot/
Food Action Plan: http://www.abfoodpolicy.org/about/
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