Public policies, in general, are intended to guide decision-making related to the development of programs and services at all government levels. Food Policy Councils have been formed locally, statewide and nationally to allow stakeholders from diverse food-related sectors to examine how their local food system is operating and to develop recommendations of food policies to decision-makers on how to improve it. For example, the Sarasota Food Policy Council held public information meetings in 2015 that generated 28 recommendations of food policies for the Comprehensive Plan Update Process of Sarasota County. For the latest update on this process see https://www.scgov.net/CompPlanUpdate/Pages/default.aspx

There is also a FL Food Policy Council (FLFPC) to allow the citizens to guide the state government on how to improve the local food systems throughout FL. There is an upcoming meeting of the FLFPC membership this Saturday, July 16th, in Tallahassee for everyone interested in learning and participating in the formation of statewide food policies. The details of this meeting are as follows:

What: Florida Food Policy Council Meeting Date: July 16, 2016 Time: 9:30 AM- 3:00 PM Where: Tallahassee, FL Location: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Viticulture and Small Fruit Research Center, 6505 Mahan Drive (US Route 90) Tallahassee, FL 32308
Current FLFPC members can register for the Tallahassee Meeting or to attend at an affiliated satellite location at www.flfpc.org. There will be no additional fee to attend the meeting for current members, however, you should register and pay for your lunch by July 11, 2016 on our website ($10) during registration which will be catered by Chef Shac, who works with local food growers and producers in the area. Lodging information is available on our website.

For new members, a FLFPC Membership fee is required, which includes admission to this event or attendance at a satellite location and other events throughout the year. See the FLFPC website for membership fee information.

For your convenience, the UF/IFAS Extension facilities that will broadcast this meeting are listed below. Registration for these location is required and can be completed during the registration process.

UF/IFAS Collier County Extension Office
14700 Immokalee Drive
Naples, FL 34120

UF/IFAS Martin County Extension Office
2614 SE Dixie, Hwy.
Stuart, FL 34996

UF/IFAS Seminole County Extension Office
250 W. County Home Rd.
Sanford, FL 32773

UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension Office
3740 Stefani Rd
Cantonment, FL 32533

For any further information, contact, Robert Kluson, Ag/NR Extension Agent, Sarasota County Extension, rkluson@scgov.net

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