Massachusetts Food Policy Council (FPC)

A meeting of the MA Food Policy Council Advisory Committee meeting will be held on

May 15, Union Train Station, Worcester, 9:30 – 11:30 am

The Union Train Station, Conference room of the Central MA Regional Planning Commission
217 Franklin Street (parking garage)
Worcester, MA 01604 - www.cmrpc.org/directions

Agenda:  

Welcome, introductions and updates to new Advisory Committee members

Review and discussion of a draft RFR for a facilitating entity for a statewide strategic food systems plan, developed by potential funders.

A meeting of the MA Food Policy Council will be held on

Friday,  June 7, 2013 Worcester Union Train Station, 9:30 – 11:00 AM 

The Union Train Station, Conference room of the Central MA Regional Planning Commission
217 Franklin Street (parking garage)
Worcester, MA 01604 - www.cmrpc.org/directions

On November 7, 2010, the MA Food Policy Council was effective, enacted as Chapter 277 of the Acts of 2010, “An Act establishing the Massachusetts food policy council,” Statute M.G.L. c.20, Section 6C, creating the 17-member Food Policy Council (“FPC”).

The Council includes four members from the legislature including two from the House of Representatives, one appointed by the majority and one by the minority leader; and two members from the Senate, one appointed by the majority and one by the minority.  Six members include representatives of various agencies within the Executive branch, and seven industry representatives are appointed by the Governor from groups within the food production and marketing chain.

Appointed members serve three-year terms or until a successor is appointed. The FPC chooses its own chair who serves for a maximum of two years. The FPC must meet periodically at the call of the chair but no less than 4 times a year. All meetings are public and the council keeps a record of its meetings and actions

The FPC appoints an advisory committee consisting of members of specific stakeholder groups. Other committees can be appointed to serve at the direction of the FPC.

The purpose of the FPC is to:
(1) increase production, sales and consumption of Massachusetts-grown foods;
(2) develop and promote programs that bring healthy Massachusetts-grown foods to Massachusetts residents through various programs such as:
(i) targeted state subsidies,
(ii) increased state purchasing of local products for school and summer meals and other child and adult care programs,
(iii) double coupon initiatives,
(iv) direct market subsidies to communities with identified needs,
(v) increasing institutional purchases of Massachusetts-grown foods and other programs to make access to healthy Massachusetts products affordable, and
(vi) increasing access to healthy Massachusetts-grown foods in communities with disproportionate burdens of obesity and chronic diseases;
(3) protect the land and water resources needed for sustained local food production; and (
(4) train, retain and recruit farmers  and to provide for the continued economic viability of local food production, processing and distribution in the commonwealth.

State Agency Members:

Secretary Gregory Bialecki, MEOHED
Acting Commissioner Lauren Smith, MD, MDPH
Katie Millet, designee, Commissioner of Education, MESE
Deputy Commission Gary Moran, MDEP
Interim Commissioner Stacey Monahan,  MDTA
Commissioner Gregory C. Watson, MDAR

Legislative members (appointed by the Governor):

Senator Susan Fargo
Representative Kimberly Ferguson
Senator Michael Knapik
Representative Steve Kulik

Industry Members (appointed by the Governor):

Vivien Morris, MS, RD, MPH, LDN, Boston Public Health Commission, Community based nutrition and public health expert
Frank Carlson, Carlson Orchards, Food processor and handler
Jeff Cole, Executive Director, MA farmers markets, direct to consumer marketing
Manuel Costa, President, Costa Fruit and Produce, Food processor and distributor
Helen Caulton-Harris, Springfield Board of Health, Local health department representative
John Lee, Allandale Farm, Farmer
Amanda Kinchla, PhD, Assistant Professor, UMASS Amherst, Food Safety Expert

The FPC must submit an annual report (except the first year) of its findings, conclusions, proposals, recommendations and progress toward reaching benchmarks.
To receive electronic notices of meetings and other materials related to the Council, please use the contact information below.

Questions? Contact: