Week 11: Reflection

This week's readings focused on shaping public policy in the favor of promoting food systems. As consumers, and U.S citizens we have the right to be involved and vocalize our own opinions regarding food and nutrition concerns to politicians and advocates alike. Our own participation in the food system will be essential and critical to sustaining a food system of any capacity as the dynamics of demand and supply are at hand. I do not believe I have ever met anyone that is into advocacy or lobbying for rights in Washington or elsewhere for that matter, but after reviewing these pieces I am more thankful for their efforts than ever regarding the food sector. Although food and agriculture is not the typical conversation of low-middle class African-American families (in the form of local initiatives), I recognize the efforts of others that ultimately enables many low-income and middle-class families thrive. Winnie's article that included the scenario of Harford, Ct.'s food insecurity was responded by allowing food stamps to be used at farmer's markets in the 1980s, which in all was no easy task. The article noted some have argued that community food security initiatives should not limit themselves to the local and community scale but pay greater attention to regulatory and policy changes in the food system that involve the state. The article written by Werkle points Toronto's food justice movement which resulted in the collaboration of a city agency and a wide range of community agencies focused on food security and urban agriculture. The regional networks focus on specific neighborhood of the city and deliver a variety of projects.

Food policy council, although previously unheard of, is an institution that shapes state and local policy agenda for sustainable foods system goals by bringing people's different goals together in creating the fabric of their respective food systems. Institutions of this sort is able to make up and even stimulate local citizens and the regional planners in being more active in the food system. The article written by Clary suggests FPC could be viewed and utilized as a specialized task force in the name of food and agriculture relations for the people. The premise of their FPC stemmed from the successes of the initial FPC in Knoxville, Tennessee. FPC's first work to create policy that sounds just as good as its implications by adding their unbiased expertise in the food system. Should it be a mandated that there are regional food policy councils in the State of Florida?