Democratizing the Food System- The Food Policy Council Movement

Authors

Garrett Spear, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

The increasing complexity of our modern food system has changed the landscape of American agriculture and diet, and has increasingly consolidated decision-making abilities in a concentrated group of organizations. Local food movements are re-appropriating their food supply chains through a variety of methods, including the democratic-minded food policy council organization. Food policy councils organize community stakeholders into a network of organizations which can collectively grapple with food issues affecting and on behalf of the local community. This study consisted of research on the history and methods of the food policy council movement, directed ultimately at the council-less context in Lexington Kentucky, exploring the challenges and benefits a potential food policy organization would face in this local environment. The production of this study and accompanying paper has resulted in a collaborative effort of Lexington-area community food system stakeholders conducting regular study and discussion of the potentialities of forming a food policy organization to serve the central Kentucky region.

Recommended Citation

Spear, Garrett (2013) "Democratizing the Food System- The Food Policy Council Movement," Kaleidoscope: Vol. 11, Article 93.
Available at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kaleidoscope/vol11/iss1/93