Governor Strickland establishes Ohio Food Policy Advisory Council

August 6, 2007

Governor Ted Strickland announced the creation of the Ohio Food Policy Advisory Council yesterday at the Ohio State Fair. The state now has a framework to plan, proactively, for the future of healthy food systems and productive farm businesses.

Food policy councils are seen as a way to address many of growing concerns about food safety, loss of farmland and to promote local food networks.

“Ohio can create more prosperity by tapping into the growing demand for local food. Food policy councils focus on food systems as an economic development strategy that links farm production, conservation and farm viability with public health, food security and community well-being. The Strickland administration has taken a proactive step in planning for health and prosperity in the state” said Amalie Lipstreu, Program Coordinator for the Countryside Conservancy’s Farmland Center.

According to the Governor, Ohio’s food and agriculture sector of the economy is a 93 billion dollar industry. “By supplying more food demand with locally grown and raised products we can increase prosperity across the state exponentially. This is a common sense approach to growing the green economy” according to Lipstreu.

In addition to positive economic impact, the council’s work will also include protecting Ohio farmland, examining barriers to getting healthy food to families in need and increased health for Ohio residents by supporting efforts such as farm to cafeteria programs.

The council will be comprised of representatives from government, food and farm businesses, hunger advocates and civil society organizations.