Want to Improve Oakland's Food System?

WHAT’S A FOOD POLICY COUNCIL?
If created, the Food Policy Council will consist of a group of
yet-to-be-appointed people that will advocate for and recommend
policies to the City in order to create a healthy and sustainable food
system. Specific goals of the Food Policy Council will be to increase
the amount of locally grown food available in Oakland, reduce hunger
and food insecurity, and promote economic opportunities within the food
sector. Email me at jessicabell [at] riseup.net if you want a copy of the
legislation (the document is too big to email)

The need for a Food Policy Council originated from recommendations
outlined in a 2005 study of Oakland’s food system by the Department of
City and Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley,
and the Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown’s Office of Sustainability.


Read the study: http://oaklandfoodsystem.pbwiki.com/


WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
According to the study, approximately 29% of residents in Alameda County
are impacted by hunger or food insecurity, our food travels 1,500
global-warming inducing carbon-laden miles to reach our plate, and
small farming operations are going bankrupt because they’re being
priced out by agribusiness.

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
Food Policy Councils in other cities have achieved remarkable success at
helping to create a food system that benefits people. For instance in
2001, the Berkeley Food Policy Council helped Berkeley City Council
pass a food policy requiring school cafeterias to serve fresh, local
and organic foods to its 9,500 students, with a commitment "to increase
the amount of products purchased from local farms". We can do that
here in Oakland.

WHAT CAN I DO?
Of course, like everything, the success of Oakland’s Food Policy Council
is dependent upon citizen involvement so PLEASE GET INVOLVED....

1) FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO SUPPORTERS

2) FIND OUT MORE, GET INVOLVED
Come to a meeting to learn more about this Food Policy Council proposal
and how to get involved. Monday, December 4th, 5.30pm to 7.00pm.
Laney Community College, Building A (105). 900 Fallon Street, Oakland.
The room is a block away from Lake Merritt Bart Station. Contact Jess
Bell to RSVP or to find out more: 415 425 8837 or
jessicabell [at] riseup.net.

3) TELL OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL YOU SUPPORT THIS FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
* Contact your City Council member
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/council/city-officials.html . Tell
them that you support an Oakland Food Policy Council. Congratulate them
if they support the bill!

* Attend and speak in support of the Food Policy Council at the Life
Enrichment Committee City Council meeting on DECEMBER 12th, 2006, 6pm.
The Food Policy Council bill needs to pass this committee before it can
go to a full City Council vote. Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa
Plaza, (Between 14th and 15th Streets) Oakland. (near 12th Street BART
station)

* Attend and speak in support of the Food Policy Council to all of the
City Council members on DECEMBER 19th 2006, 7pm onwards. Oakland City
Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. The meeting can run late, so
you can call 415 425 8837 that evening for details on when the Food
Policy Council will be discussed at the meeting.

(Make sure to fill out a speaker card in advance of the meeting at:
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/city_clerk/speaker_instructions.cfm)