What is the Detroit Food Policy Council?
The Detroit Food Policy Council (DFPC) is an advisory, monitoring and implementation body that is committed to nurturing the development and maintenance of 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.
How can I contact the Detroit Food Policy Council?
You can write us at:
Detroit Food Policy Council\
c/o Eastern Market Corporation
2934 Russell
Detroit, MI 48207
How did the idea for the DFPC come about?
In March of 2008, the Detroit City Council passed a resolution adopting the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network’s (DBCFSN) Food Security Policy for the city of Detroit. That policy called for the formation of a Detroit Food Policy Council.
In October of 2008, the Detroit City Council passed a resolution supporting the creation of the DFPC. In November, 2008 DBCFSN presented a draft of the Recommendations for the Establishment, Structure and Functioning of the DFPC to more than 75 community members at a public lsitening session at Eastern Market. Significant revisions were made to that document as a result of the feedback from that session. In February 2009 the City Council unanimously approved the final draft of the Recommendations for the Establishment, Structure and Functioning of the DFPC.
The City Council approved the appointment of a seven member Detroit Food Policy Council Convening Committee which met from March - September, 2009.
How was the Convening Committee established?
The Convening Committee was proposed during the request to support the creation of the DFPC for the purpose of coordinating the initial establishment of the DFPC, including recommendations for initial members of the Council.
Who served on the Convening Committee?
Malik Yakini - Detroit Black Community Food Security Network;
Kathryn Lynch Underwood -- City of Detroit City Planning Commission;
Dan Carmody -- Eastern Market Corporation;
Ashley Atkinson --Greening of Detroit;
Gloria Rivera -- Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit;
Rod Toneye -- The Urban Agritropolis Project;
Kami Pothukuchi, Ph.D. -- Project SEED Wayne
What process was used to identify potential DFPC members?
The City Council approved Recommendations on the Establishment, Structure and Functioning of the Detroit Food Policy Council sets forth that the Council will have 21 seats drawn from 12 sectors related to or impacted by the food system, as well as six at-large seats representing the general public. The Convening Committee then set out to identify persons in those sectors and the general public who might have an interest or would bring certain expertise and knowledge to a food policy council. Each of those persons was sent a letter inquiring about their interest in serving on the DFPC. Based on those responses and a review of the experiences of those expressing an interest in serving, the Convening Committee recommended 18 names to the City Council for approval. Those names were approved by the City Council in September. The remaining three seats on the DFPC were filled by representatives from the Mayor's Office, the City Council and the Director of the Department of Helath and Wellness Promotion.
What are the expectations of a council member?
The term of office will be either a two- or three-year term. The DFPC will meet every-other-month. It is expected that work for the Council will require approximately five to six hours a month, perhaps more depending on individual commitment to committee work.
When will the DFPC be seated?
The initial members of the DFPC will be seated on November 19, 2009.
If I don't want to serve on the DFPC can I still support its work?
Yes, there will be various working groups and advisiory committees that will help DFPC accomplish its mission.