Shaping Policy and Institution

            Food Policy councils play a crucial role in shaping policy and institution to support sustainable food initiatives within a given community. They work to empower participatory democracy among community members who raise concerns over culturally appropriate, nutritionally adequate food that is the least environmentally degrading. While initiatives to start food policy councils started in the 1970s, the amount that continue to exist vary. Some have last over ten years, whereas others have ceased to exist. In some cases such as Kansas and Charleston, however, natural occurrences and political influence led to the demise of that FPC – these were the effect of the food bank limited the expansion of the FDC in Kansas and a hurricane in Charleston that made the city focus on a recovery effort.

            In addition, food policy councils stand on the belief that the government has responsibility to ensure the food need of its’ citizens. Thus, the state councils that initially started up had many issues with focusing on a clear objective to execute the food policy council’s goals. Despite setbacks such as these, FPCs continue to strive forward and strengthen their argument for FPC through participatory democracy, the effects of globalization, the concentration of farming and ranching, in addition to the growth of local good concepts. Food Policy Councils rely on the community to exist, especially being that they have little to no funding provided.  In addition, its members are appointed on to the council and a majority have experience in an office type of field. Having political officials appoint others into these high, influential areas can sometimes be questionable – but many FPC have the best interest of the community at heart.