Food Policy Resources

Despite the severity of issues that face our region and its residents, people in Kern County will not willingly come together and engage in the hard conversations. However, the Kern Food Policy Council has done just that. For over two years, this small cadre of folk has successfully managed to convene an extremely diverse group of (historically acrimonious) stakeholders around the hot topic of food security. How? By re-framing things. Turns out that despite our differences, we all want the same thing: a healthy, vibrant food and agriculture economy. The question then became, "How do we measure 'healthy'? How do we measure 'vibrant'?" Once we agreed on the measurements, it then became a matter of doing the math.  This may seem like a simple picture of a report. But, it represents the ingenuity and perseverance of a committed group of average people to bring about the impossible.

Image credit: Jill Egland, Kern Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

DC Greens' Community Advocates Toni Lawson and Beatrice Evans share a laugh during a Community Advocate training session. The Community Advocates Program provides food-insecure community members robust advocacy training using a train-the-trainer model that enables them to engage fellow community members on food justice issues. DC Greens Community Advocates training program is made possible with funding from a Voices for Healthy Kids grant.

Image credit: Lauren Shweder Biel, DC Greens; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

The California State University, Bakersfield Food Pantry is stocked in preparation for the visits of Bakersfield's Mayor Karen Goh, and later on, the CSU Chancellor, Dr. Timothy White. It is essential that we acknowledge our student needs, including the high food insecurity rates on campus and within the surrounding communities‚ prior to advocating for food policy reform. 

Image credit: Kassandra Hernandez, Kern Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Summer Sullivan, the California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) Edible Garden Coordinator, volunteers to teach easy, nutritious meals to students living in the dorms. Using items that can be found in the campus pantry, she helps spread awareness and reduce the stigma of campus food insecurity. 

Image credit: Kern Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Building community and advocacy for healthy food access takes hard work, but it is also a lot of fun!  A great group of Dorchester Food Co-op members proved this well by walking 3.2 miles in the annual Dorchester Day Parade dressed as healthy foods. Everyone had a lot of fun while working to raise awareness of The Dorchester Food Co-op‚ a food, racial, and economic justice project aimed at empowering our community and making healthy food more accessible and affordable to everyone. Hooray Veggies!

Image credit: Davida Andelman, Dorchester Food Co-op; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

For years, our focus (and economic dependency) on the global food system has steadily eroded our local food system to the point where the 50 or so small and medium Kern-based farms travel to Los Angeles and the Central Coast to sell their produce. But this is shifting. Bakersfield has a farm-to-fork cafe now. And our regional supermarket, FoodMaxx, is carving out more and more space to feature local fruits and vegetables. Every day, I drive by this sign painted on the side of Hen's Roost, one of several food system micro-enterprises that have emerged in the last few years. I read "Eat Local!" and I feel hope. 

Image credit: Jill Egland, Kern Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

The Lake County Community Food Council has constructed and distributed almost 600 garden boxes in the past two years in the rural county they serve. Council volunteers have worked side by side with families, sharing how to start small gardens regardless of where they live. This effort has started to expand out into surrounding communities. Families express gratitude for being able to touch the soil, choose their own plants, and share this experience as a family. Relationship starts in the garden‚ conversations happen, laughter is shared, and memories are made. There is a connectedness to the earth and each other that is hard to explain. The mother of this child in the photo shared, "I love when my child and I can get our hands dirty together". The joy of creating something together and the anticipation of what is to come is beautiful. As permaculture consultant Geoff Lawton said, "All the world's problems can be solved in a garden".

Image credit: Kendra Gibson, Lake County Community Food Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

There is so much wealth, beauty, and joy in food grown well. This is an ode to the people who grow food with love.

Image credit: Amanda Chin, The Food Project; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

An early morning glean in Boulder, Colorado, harvested more than 4,500 lbs. of fresh cabbage that was delivered same-day to Community Food Share, a local food bank. Ten volunteers cut and then tossed veggies into the crisp morning air, getting a workout for their bodies and a lift to their spirits. 

Image credit: Sarah Galligan, Colorado Food Policy Network and UpRoot Colorado; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Kern County is known for its bounty as well as its high rate of food-insecure families. Here's a way one family farm has come up with for getting healthy produce distributed. 

Image credit: Jill Egland, Kern Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Neighbors thank each other for sharing in the hard work of maintaining the Five Loaves Two Fishes community garden at 55th and Lancaster Ave in West Philadelphia. 

Image credit: Ali Mendelson, Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Gratitude in the Garden displays three images of joy from Promise Garden located in the heart of downtown New Brunswick, NJ. The first image shows an Orchard Installation Day performed on 11/17/17 in partnership with New Brunswick Community Food Alliance, the City of New Brunswick, FoodCorps NJ, corporate partners, and local residents. The second image offers garden green harvests from the Summer of 2017. The third image shows one of 6 cubic-yard wood palette compost bins as part of The Compost Project. This project has diverted over 12,000 lbs of food waste from Elijah's Promise over 2016-2017 and demonstrates our commitment to achieving zero waste as an agency first and, ultimately, as a community. We are grateful for these garden programs and all who collaborate to make Promise Garden successfully grow food, soil, and community!

Image credit: Andrew Schlesinger, New Brunswick Community Food Alliance; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

The California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) Food Pantry Coordinator, Kassandra Hernandez, stands by the Pantry's "Open" sign. The Food Pantry officially opened in September, thanks to Kassandra's hard work and dedication. She has helped to supply quality food to over 630 CSUB students!

Image credit: Summer Sullivan, Kern Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

A Place at the Table believes that everyone deserves a good meal, regardless of means. The restaurant has a pay-what-you-can model. You can pay nothing, the listed price on the menu, or more if you have the means and the desire. This ensures that everyone has a place at the table. The picture shows me harvesting turnip greens from a farmer who grew them exclusively for the use of the restaurant, free of charge. It's beautiful when people come together for a cause around a table and provide food for all.

Image credit: Food Passion Project; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

For the past five years, at 9:15 a.m. on a weekday morning in March, thousands of Marylanders have participated in Hear the Maryland Crunch! Students, teachers, legislators, and community members come together to bite into a juicy apple in this state-wide synchronized apple crunch event! Held during National School Breakfast Week, Hear the Maryland Crunch! highlights the importance of the School Breakfast Program in ensuring that all children get a healthy start to their day. Students perform better in school, are less likely to be overweight, and are less likely to be absent from or late to school. Learn more about the research that underscores the importance of Breakfast for Learning and Breakfast for Health. William Paca Elementary School in Prince George's County went over the top in their celebration of Hear the Maryland Crunch! Students sang songs about breakfast, dressed in Maryland flag colors, and participated in fun school assembly. The stage was set and decorated with a huge apple tree, as seen in this photo.

Image credit: Maryland Hunger Solutions; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

During a winter storm, Vanessa Garcia Polanco, 21, RIPFC's youngest member, took a break from her college readings to read the draft RI Food Strategy and prepare her feedback response on it for the RI Director of Food Strategy. Council members and other Rhode Island food system practitioners were engaged in the year-long process of drafting and engaging the community to draft a food strategy with the state's goal for agriculture. the final strategy was released in May 2017. 

Image credit: Vanessa Garcia Polanco, Rhode Island Food Policy Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a new option that allows schools with high percentages of low-income children to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. Not only does community eligibility increase participation in school meal programs, but it also reduces labor costs for schools, increases efficiency, reduces stigma, and increases federal revenues. However, the name of the program doesn't express how powerful it is or how it works. Therefore, Maryland Hunger Solutions celebrates schools that use CEP by presenting them with a "Hunger-Free School" banner, as seen in the photo. All public schools in Baltimore City, Dorchester County, and Somerset County are Hunger-Free, thanks to CEP. 

Image credit: Maryland Hunger Solutions; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

This photo is of Charlottesville City School students in the Buford Middle School Garden. They came out to the garden during a PE class to harvest Collard Greens and other garden greens. The students were blown away by the size of the collard leaves. "They're HUGE!" one of the students said as she stuck it in front of her face. After that, all the students started grabbing the large collard greens and putting them over their faces. I asked for a photo, and this is the one that we got! 

Image credit: Emily Axelbaum, City Schoolyard Garden; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

No soil contaminants will escape her inspection! Kids at the Five Loaves Two Fishes Soil Safety Demo Day learn how to be safe while gardening and growing food.

Image credit: Ali Mendelson, Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.

Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council Coordinate (FPAC) Coordinator Mary Pham checks out the compost in a recycled chest freezer bin in North Philadelphia. Designed by Let's Talk Trash- a waste reduction education program- this freezer chest is a finalist in FPAC's Compost System Design Competition, which aims to identify an affordable, neighborhood-scale compost system design that can spread community composting initiatives in Philadelphia and beyond. 

Image credit: LeAnne Harvey, Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council; CLF Food Policy Networks Photo Contest, 2017.

By downloading this image, you agree to use the photo within the context that it was taken. You also agree to never use it for commercial purposes. The image always belongs to the original photographer and should be attributed to the photographer and Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks Photo Contest.