Archives for September, 2009

(Santa Fe, New Mexico September 3, 2009) The City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring access to nutritious food for all citizens by developing the Santa Fe City and County Advisory Council on Food Policy (Food Policy Council).  The City Council and the Board of County Commissioners approved a joint resolution to establish the Food Policy Council, and appointed two people each from city and county government and nine people from the private sector to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Food Policy Council.

The purpose of the Food Policy Council is to integrate all departments of the City and County as well as nonprofit organizations and food and farming businesses in a common effort to improve the availability of safe and nutritious food at reasonable prices for all residents, particularly those in need.  Its mission is to create and maintain a regional food system that nourishes all people in a just and sustainable manner.

People appointed include:
•    Steve Shepherd, Director of Health and Human Services, Santa Fe County
•    Katherine Mortimer, Supervising Planner, City of Santa Fe
•    Terrie Rodriguez, Community Services Department Director, City of Santa Fe
•    Sherry Hooper, Executive Director, The Food Depot
•    Pamela Roy, Executive Director, Farm to Table
•    Carol Rose, Food and Nutrition Education, NM Department of Health
•    Julie Anna Lopez, Curator of Agriculture, Las Golondrinas
•    Tony McCarty, Executive Director, Kitchen Angels
•    Mark Winne, Communications Director, Community Food Security Coalition
•    Steve Warshawer, Owner, Beneficial Farms
•    Sarah Noss, Executive Director, Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute

“Local food systems will become more and more critical as the challenges of climate change and peak oil increase.  The amount of farming in the region has been declining and water rights to farmable land have been transferred to urban areas just when the importance of local agriculture is becoming overwhelmingly evident.  The Food Policy Council will help local decision-makers understand this critical link and recommend policy aimed at reversing this dangerous trend,” said Katherine Mortimer, Chairperson.

The Food Policy Council encourages the involvement of Santa Fe citizens. Consider receiving updates by joining our mailing list. Simply email Jordan Maril at jordan@santafefoodpolicy.org with your name and contact information.  If you would like to support the work of the organization with a financial donation, you can make your tax-deductible contribution in care of Farm to Table at 618 B Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.

The Food Policy Council meets the 4th Thursday of each month at the Coll-Green Angel Depot, 1222 Siler Road in Santa Fe.  Please see the City of Santa Fe website for the meeting agenda one week prior to each meeting.  For more information on the Food Policy Council, go to www.santafefoodpolicy.org.