Richard Conlin to Chair PSRC’s New Regional Food Policy Council

It was just announced today at a Seattle City Council briefing that Council President Richard Conlin will head up the new Puget Sound Regional Food Policy Council.

The goal of the new council is to work with community, business, agriculture, and government actors in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to develop recommendations that strengthen local and regional food systems.

Conlin has a long history of being an advocate for a healthier food system.  Back in April of 2008, Conlin successfully spearheaded efforts to pass the Local Food Action Initiative.  This initiative promotes local and regional food sustainability and security.  Here are some of the great things that have grown out of this initiative:

• Directing the Seattle Department of Transportation to clarify the rules, educate the public and promote the use of parking strips for growing food
• Directing the Department of Neighborhoods to identify the most suitable city-owned properties for conversion to use for food production, asking for no less than two acres that could be developed in 2009-2010
• Requesting that the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) find ways to increase the availability of healthy foods in DPR vending machines, facilities, and programs
• Including $2 million for developing new community gardens/P-patches in the Parks for All Levy, which was approved by the voters in November
• Working with Seattle Central Community College to develop a new certificate program in Sustainable Urban Agriculture

If you are interested in learning more, here are details on the first Regional Food Policy Council’s meeting:

September 21, 2010
9:30 – 12:00 noon
PSRC Conference Room
1011 Western Avenue, 5th Floor, Seattle
Contact: Olivia Robinson, 206-464-7890 or Liz Underwood-Bultmann, 206-464-6174
Agenda – Forthcoming

Sign up here to receive Regional Food Policy Council agendas and materials

Related posts:

1. Upcoming December Meeting of PSRC Regional Food Policy Council
2. September PSRC Food Policy Council Meeting
3. Regional Food Policy Council Meeting This Friday

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