Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Next Food Policy Council Meeting

The Johnson County Food Policy Council usually meets on the third Mondays of the month from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. The next meeting is Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building in Conference Room 214 B/C, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240. Meetings agendas are posted a week in advance at  http://bit.ly/jocomeeting.

Food Policy Council Annual Public Forum

The Johnson County Food Policy Council invites you to their 10th annual public forum, “From Policy to Plate: Unpacking the LFPA in Johnson County.” This annual event focuses on increasing community awareness of and engagement with local food system challenges and opportunities. This year’s forum will work to explain state-level investments in local food and their impact in Johnson County, and motivate advocacy around local, state, and federal food policy.

JCFPC 10th Annual Public Forum

From Policy to Plate: Unpacking the LFPA in Johnson County

Saturday, December 14th, 2024 | 9:00-11:00 AM 

Iowa Conservatory (123 N Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52245)

Free breakfast and coffee from Kindred Coffee

Attendees will learn about the LFPA and ongoing efforts at the state and federal levels. Then, attendees will hear from a panel of guest speakers who will discuss topics such as how their work has been impacted by the LFPA, challenges and opportunities related to the LFPA, vision for the future of local food in Johnson County, and more. Following the panel, attendees will gather in break-out groups to discuss next steps for our community. 

LFPA policy speakers include:

• Hannah Quigley, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
• Giselle Bruskewitz, Iowa Valley RC&D

Panelists include:

• Michelle Kenyon, Field to Family
• Kim Guardado, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP)
• Simon Bwayo (East Africa Growth Flavor)

Event Agenda: 

8:30-9:00 AM Doors open 

9:00-9:10 AM Welcome and Food Policy Council Introduction

9:10-9:25 AM Introduction to the LFPA at State and Federal Levels

9:25-10:15 AM Guest Speaker Panel with Q&A

10:30-10:50 AM Break-Out Group Discussions

10:50-11:00 AM Large Group Discussion and Conclusion

Please register using this link. This event is free and open to the public. Please share this email invite to help us spread the word!

Johnson County strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. This event will have live captions in English. To request translated captions, please contact [email protected] at least 48 hours prior to the event. 

Johnson County's Local Food System 

Johnson County is a unique region in Iowa where the rural landscape meets our urban centers in many dynamic ways. We are a brilliant mix of talent, experience, and culture. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors and staff are committed to building a thriving local food system -- where the environment flourishes, businesses succeed, and everyone has access to diverse and culturally relevant food.

What is the food system?

The food system is defined as the chain of activities connecting food production, processing, distribution, marketing, transportation, access, consumption and waste management.

Local foods in Johnson County

In the fall of 2015, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors created a new position - the Local Foods and Planning Specialist - as part of the Planning, Development and Sustainability department. In 2018, the Local Foods Coordinator position was moved to the Board of Supervisors Office. The Local Foods Coordinator works closely with the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, county planners and community partners to increase local food production and access in Johnson County.

By creating this position, Johnson County is acknowledging the importance local foods have in our county, and that by developing a community-based food system, we are supporting all sectors of our environment - from public health to conservation..

Why local foods and the County?

The food system has significant, daily impacts on the residents of Johnson County in terms of the environment, the local economy, employment, the transportation system, public health and waste. Everyone eats, therefore everyone is engaged in the food system.

In Johnson County, we see the need to build the community resources of our food system - and we are working to create a robust system that promotes worker's rights and builds resilience in the natural environment. The advancement of our local food system will enhance rural and urban economic development, increase access to nutritious food and build equity in our community.