Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council Update v June 2012

COFSAC June 2012 Update

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June 2012 Dear Partners, We are pleased to share an update on the work of the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council (COFSAC). Since our last update, the subcommittees have continued to pick up steam and are largely driving the work plan of the Council, so this update is focused primarily on that work. Chair and Vice Chair Retire, New Members Appointed, Subcommittees Growing! With mixed emotions, we must announce the retirement of Jim Miller and Ruth Stemler, our Chair and Vice Chair, from their positions at Colorado Department of Agriculture and Share Our Strength, respectively. We have greatly appreciated the leadership, passion and expertise they brought to the COFSAC and wish them the best as they move into the next phases of their lives. The Council has asked the subcommittee chairs, Patricia Daniluk, Pat Kendall and Barb Marty, to serve as an interim leadership team. Andrea Rouge, Cooking Matters Colorado Director, has been appointed to the anti-hunger seat previously held by Ruth; we are awaiting a new appointment from Commissioner Salazar to fill the CDA seat. We are pleased to announce that the subcommittees have grown by leaps and bounds with the additions of the following members: Communications Alison Hastey, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Shawn Martini, Colorado Farm Bureau Wendy White, Colorado Department of Agriculture Economic Development Bill Stevenson, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Healthy Food Access Melissa Marts, Care and Share Food Bank Karen McManus, Food Bank for Larimer County Amy Siebert, Colorado Farmers Market Association Communications Subcommittee to Inventory and Interview Local Food Systems Coalitions With the help of summer intern, Julia Pellicciaro, the Communications Subcommittee is working to identify, survey, and interview every regional and local food systems group or coalition around the state. The goals of this project are to: 1) update our existing directory (www.cofoodsystemscouncil.org/regional-and-local-foodsystems-coalitions.html) of well-established and developing food systems coalitions in Colorado; 2) identify ways COFSAC can help facilitate the work of local and regional food systems coalitions; 3) encourage open dialogue amongst and between COFSAC and local and regional groups. If you work with a local food systems coalition or know of one in your area, please fill out our survey (www.surveymonkey.com/s/FFDPCF2) or provide contact information to Megan at megan@wpmconsulting.net.

COFSAC June 2012 Update

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Economic Development Subcommittee Continues Listening Sessions The Economic Development Subcommittee has been hosting a series of "listening sessions" around the state over the past 6 months to better understand the barriers and opportunities for opening or expanding entry into Colorado-based direct markets for Colorado-grown foods. So far, the subcommittee has heard from community members across the Western Slope; stakeholders in the Pueblo area; urban growers in MetroDenver; attendees at the Governors Ag Forum; and, participants in the Colorado Farmers Market Associations Annual Meeting. You can read more about these listening sessions on the COFSAC website: www.cofoodsystemscouncil.org/updates-and-communications.html. Healthy Food Access Subcommittee Envisions Healthy Food Access for All Coloradans Throughout the winter and spring, the Healthy Food Access Subcommittee has been coordinating diverse stakeholders in order to articulate a vision for "healthy food access" in Colorado and the conditions needed to achieve this vision. We are in the process of developing a white paper which will be published on our website by this fall. In addition, we will be co-hosting a Healthy Food Access Summit with LiveWell Colorado this fall thanks in part to a generous grant from the Rose Womens Organization. The purpose of this summit is to engage subject matter experts, elected officials, program managers, advocates, and others to gain a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities in terms of healthy food access in Colorado. Keep in Touch! Please visit our website (www.cofoodsystemscouncil.org) and feel free to contact us or our staff with questions! As always, the Council posts notice of all Council and subcommittee meetings. Council meetings will be announced through the Colorado Department of Agriculture website (go to www.colorado.gov/ag/commissioner and click Food Systems Council), and on our website at www.cofoodsystemscouncil.org/2012-meeting-schedule.html. Sincerely, COFSAC Interim Leadership Team Patricia Daniluk, Chair of Healthy Food Access Subcommittee Director of Nutrition Services and WIC, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Patricia.Daniluk@dphe.state.co.us Pat Kendall, Chair of Communications Subcommittee Associate Dean of Research, College of Applied Human Sciences, Colorado State University Patricia.kendall@colostate.edu Barb Marty, Chair of Economic Development Subcommittee Board Member, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and Colorado Agriculture Commission abmarty@msn.com COFSAC Staff Wendy Peters Moschetti wendy@wpmconsulting.net (303) 819-2846
COFSAC June 2012 Update

Megan Phillips megan@wpmconsulting.net (906) 869-0372

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