Community Food Security can be defined as the condition which exists when all of the members of a community have access, in close proximity, to adequate amounts of nutritious, culturally appropriate food at all times, from sources that are environmentally sound and just. Because this condition does not exist in Detroit, a group of concerned citizens, working in cooperation with the Detroit City Council, have formed the Detroit Food Policy Council (DFPC) to shape food policy and work for a more localized, more just and environmentally friendly food system.
The DFPC has been developed to affirm the City of Detroit’s commitment to nurturing the development of a food secure city in which all of its citizens are hunger-free, healthy and benefit from the food systems that impact their lives. This policy also affirms the City of Detroit’s commitment to supporting sustainable food systems that provide people with high quality food, employment, and that also contribute to the long-term well-being of the environment. Vision We envision a city of Detroit with a healthy, vibrant, hunger-free populace that has easy access to fresh produce and other healthy food choices; a city in which the residents are educated about healthy food choices, and understand their relationship to the food system; a city in which urban agriculture, composting and other sustainable practices contribute to its economic vitality; and a city in which all of its residents, workers, guests and visitors are treated with respect, justice and dignity by those from whom they obtain food. Mission The Detroit Food Policy Council is committed to nurturing the development and maintenance of a sustainable, localized food system and a food-secure city of Detroit in which all of its residents are hunger-free, healthy and benefit economically from the food system that impacts their lives. Goals 1) advocate for urban agriculture and composting being included as part of the strategic development of the City of Detroit; 2) work with various City departments to streamline the processes and approvals required to expand and improve urban agriculture in the city of Detroit including acquisition of land and access to water; 3) review the City of Detroit Food Security Policy and develop an implementation and monitoring plan that identifies, priorities, timelines, benchmarks, and human, financial and material resources; 4) produce and disseminate an annual City of Detroit Food System Report that assesses the state of the city’s food system, including activities in production, distribution, consumption, waste generation and composting, nutrition and food assistance program participation and innovative food system programs; 5) recommend new food related policy as the need arises; 6) initiate and coordinate programs that address the food related needs of Detroiters; 7) convene an annual “Powering Up the Local Food System” Conference. In the long-range, the DFPC will engage in other activities including but not limited to: producing brief research reports with policy positions on significant relevant and emerging issues such as land for urban agriculture; convening listening sessions to hear from community members on relevant issues; assisting community-based organizations develop programs to meet needs and fill gaps in the food system; developing collaborative, city-wide programs and raising funds for implementing them.
The initial meeting of the Detroit Food Policy Council will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. at the offices of the Eastern Market Corporation, 2934 Russell, Detroit, MI 48207. All DFPC meetings are open to the public.