California Food Policy Council February 2015 Meeting

The California Food Policy Council (CA FPC) had its first meeting of 2015 in Sacramento on February 9th and 10th. San Luis Obispo County Food System Coalition (SLO FSC) has been a member of CA FPC for several years. As more food policy councils are being started across the state, the statewide body grows larger every year- there are now over 20 ratified members!   This meeting was attended by 50 CAFPC members, local and state health department staff and community partners from as far north as Crescent City, and as far south as San Diego. Adria Arko, Kylie Hensley, and Nicki Anderson from the SLO FSC (pictured) attended the two day meeting.

This was an jam packed meeting with lots of discussion and activities. Some of the outcomes of the meeting were to approve updated CA FPC Operating Guidelines (SLO FSC abstained) and to support the Nutrition Incentives Bill (SLO FSC voted in favor of this). Kylie, Nicki and Adria also met with staffers of Asm. Katcho Achadjian, and Sen. Bill Monning to discuss the California Legislative Report Card and the Nutrition Incentives Bill.

One of the highlights of the event was the screening of Food Chains, hosted by the CA FPC and Asm.Roger Hernandez, which focus is farm workers in the United States. The film was followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker Smriti Keshari, Gail Wadsworth, Executive Director, California Institute for Rural Studies, Dr. Benjamin Flores MPH, Board Chair, California Primary Care Association, Eriberto Fernandez, Regional Coordinator Northern San Joaquin Valley, United Farm Workers and Jim Araby, Executive Director, United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council.

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