The Tahoma Food Policy Coalition exists due to the cooperation and work of great partners.
These partners include:
Metro Parks Tacoma
Pierce Conservation District
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
Pierce County FARM Program
WSU Pierce County Extension
Tacoma Farmers Markets
Proctor Farmers Market
St. Leo Food Connection
Divine Earth Gardening Project
Sustainable Puyallup
And more...
In June 2008 the Pierce County FARM Board and the Pierce Conservation District organized a kick off meeting to bring stakeholders representing the many different parts of the food system together and begin the process of organizing the Coalition. Over 55 stakeholders attended and helped outline strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities within our current food system.
TFPC's mission aims to, "grow a just, healthy, and sustainable local food system by influencing policies, developing projects, and sharing resources throughout Pierce County." Members currently include representatives from the local farming community, farmers markets, health and wellness organizations, community development organizations, schools, environmental groups, food banks, and the group is always open for more!
According to Drake University Agricultural Law School , "Food Policy Councils convene citizens and government officials for the purpose of providing a comprehensive examination of a state or local food system. This unique, non-partisan form of civic engagement brings together a diverse array of food system stakeholders to develop food and agriculture policy recommendations."
The development of food coalitions and councils is not uncommon. Across the United States and Canada, regional and local groups have formed and many new groups are rapidly coming together to tackle these issues. The Community Food Security Coalition a group that organizes resources and tracks the development of such groups, estimates that over 80 food policy councils or coalitions currently exist throughout North America.
Tahoma Food Policy Coalition meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month. For more information, please contact us.
