The Humboldt Food Policy Council (HFPC) is a network of diverse Humboldt County food systems stakeholders. A food system includes all the activities that are involved in food production including growing, harvesting, processing, transporting, marketing, eating, and disposing of food waste. Founded by the California Center for Rural Policy in 2009 with the vision that everyone in our community should have equal access to healthy food, the HFPC has since led to the inception of numerous food programs, grants and initiatives that are central to the health and vitality of the region. The HFPC works to enhance a regional food system that is equitable, culturally appropriate, and both environmentally and economically sustainable by facilitating collaborative partnerships of diverse stakeholders; and affecting relevant policies throughout the food system.

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HFPC members include grocers, farmers, public health professionals, hospitals, economic developers, value added food producers, local food advocates, planners, food pantries, non-profits, elected officials, consumers, and concerned citizens. Stakeholders in the HFPC envision a sustainable food system that provides affordable and accessible foods for all, contributes to the economic viability of the region, and supports the sustainability of every part of the food system –from seed, to table, to soil.

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Key Policy Partners

Community Alliance with Family Farmers

California Food Policy Council

Califoria Food + Farming Network

Recent Advocacy Efforts

Save Market Match

Project Areas

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• CDFA Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee

Advise the Secretary on all matters pertaining to the direct marketing of agricultural products at Certified Farmers’ Markets, with the primary goal of ensuring the integrity of Certified Farmers’ Markets.

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• CA Alliance of Farmers’ Markets, Policy Working Group and Farmers’ Market Manager Training Program 

The Alliance was established to support market managers in their many roles, and to create a network of market managers, producers, vendors, and affiliates working together for the betterment of the industry.
The Alliance focuses on advocacy, professional development, marketing and consumer education, and access to healthy food. The Alliance will engage in these actions for the benefit of farmers, consumers, and communities. The Alliance is committed to:

• Increasing access to fresh produce and building local capacity to sustain such access for low-income communities;
• Assessing and responding to policies that directly impact farmers and farmers’ market operators;
• Instituting best practices and protocols for professional development within the farmers’ market industry;
• Advancing the development of a clear brand, value proposition, and media strategy for educating consumers about the distinct value of purchasing directly from farmers;
• Preserving and improving the integrity of farmers’ markets throughout the state of California.

 

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• Regional Food Systems Partnership North Coast Emergency Food Network

To improve people’s access to food during disasters, University of California Cooperative Extension received a combined $1.5 million from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Regional Food Systems Partnership Program and crucial matching contributions from local government, nonprofits and foundations. Over a three-year period, they will create a California North Coast Emergency Food System Partnership across six counties – Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Marin – to strengthen local and regional food systems and build community resilience.  ​

Contact HFPC Coordinator Portia Bramble [email protected] for current meeting and event information.