Food policy council gets green light

A governor's council that has been working to strengthen Iowa's local food system will continue for another year.

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack has extended the life of the Iowa Food Policy Council, a group that met nine times during the past year to advise the governor on all aspects of food policy in Iowa. In April, the Council issued its final recommendations including creation of two inter-agency task forces to improve food security and promote Iowa-grown food products. Chaired by Drake law professor Neil Hamilton, the Council also advocated stable and ongoing support for programs funded by the Iowa Groundwater Protection Act, including the Leopold Center and its work on local and regional food systems.

"A consistent theme of the report is the need for Iowa to promote the use of Iowa-grown food, especially within state institutions," Hamilton said. "We are eager to continue the work we've started and help see our recommendations implemented."

The Council is composed of members appointed by the governor. They have a variety of backgrounds including local producers engaged in direct marketing; local food processors, distributors and food retailers; extension specialists; educators and people involved in urban agriculture; and experts in agricultural policy and law, hunger prevention and food security. Non-voting members include representatives from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Department of Human Services.