Established in 2009, the Detroit Food Policy Council is a 21-member “education, advocacy, and policy organization” and advisory body to the Detroit City Council. It’s primary mission is to ensure “the development and maintenance of a sustainable and equitable food system” in order to create a “food-secure City of Detroit.” Unlike food policy councils in other cities, which are typically arms of the local government, Detroit’s is a nonprofit that was born out of community activism and organization spearheaded by the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network.
Winona Bynum is the Executive Director of the Detroit Food Policy Council. She joined regular hosts Logan Christian, Ed Waisanen, and Bella Isaacs to talk about the relationship between food policy and food justice, how the Council encourages community members from all parts of the food system to get involved in the conversation, and the main challenges — and opportunities — facing food growers in Detroit today. If you’re interested in learning more about agriculture, public health, and local food in Detroit, check out the Food Policy Council’s 2017 Detroit Food Metrics Report and 2017 Food Policy Review and Update. You can find links to other policies and programs discussed during the show below.
Detroit Food Policy Council meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every other month. Their next meeting is on June 11 at Detroit’s Eastern Market Corporation (2934 Russell Street).
Links:
Detroit Policy on Food Security – “Creating a Food Secure Detroit” policy outline
“Double Up Food Bucks” program
“10 Cents a Meal” program