Winter 2011 Update & Plans for 2012

2011 has been a momentous year for the community food security movement and for the Community Food Security Coalition. The call for healthy, sustainable, just, and democratic food systems has grown exponentially, pushed by grassroots organizations across the nation and the Occupy movement.

CFSC's Annual Conference in Oakland this November — "Food Justice: Honoring our Roots, Growing the Movement" — buzzed with the excitement and energy of over 1,100 food advocates, stimulated by the ideas and conversations inside the conference, and the forces for change evident in the Occupy movement.

It is a critically important time in the food movement and in the life of CFSC. As an organization, CFSC is going through a time of transition — one that we want you to be part of. I encourage you to become more involved with CFSC in 2012, by renewing your membership, joining a member committee, and making a donation to the organization.

I want to share with you how this transition period for Community Food Security Coalition will result in a stronger, more resilient organization that can respond to the training, resource and policy needs of the community food security movement for years to come.

Our 2012 transition plan includes 4 strategies: assess, listen, clarify and strengthen.

• Assess. We will examine the internal capacity of our organization to identify areas requiring improvement. With the growth and increasing visibility of CFSC, we want to make sure we are using the best practices possible for powerful, high-impact nonprofits, including the areas of communications, fundraising, finance, and technology.
• Listen. We will ask our members and allies for feedback on the Coalition's work. Next year we will not host our Annual Conference. Instead, board and staff will attend programs and conferences organized by our allies to understand the capacity already in the field, what support is needed, and where CFSC should align our work.
• Clarify. We will clarify CFSC's current position and future role in the movement through both the internal assessment and external listening. We will re-examine how CFSC fits in to a fluid constellation of organizations, issues, and alliances.
• Strengthen. With the knowledge gained from this process, we will be well positioned to leverage CFSC's unique strengths in this changing movement. We expect both CFSC and the movement to continue expanding and succeeding over the coming years.

A key aspect of this transition is hiring a new Executive Director for CFSC in early 2012. She or he will travel to key workshops or conferences to listen to ideas and concerns of our members, and to understand policy needs of our movement.

The time is now! Not only do we have broad public support, but also government agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. The DHHS and USDA are making positive contributions to farm to school programs, urban agriculture, healthy food financing and economic development, healthy eating policies and changes in the food environment. As the leading North American organization working on capacity-building and policies in these areas, CFSC must continue to play a major role in these efforts.

Through these 4 strategies, CFSC will define its priorities and strengthen our impact. We are committed to our members and to pursuing our mission in a way that supports new initiatives while welcoming new and diverse voices. We commit to continuing the work valued by CFSC members through implementing our strategic plan, and making changes in response to our assessment, listening, and clarification activities.

By making a tax-deductible year-end contribution, you will allow CFSC to improve and increase its impact on food security issues in communities across North America.

On behalf of the board and staff of Community Food Security Coalition, I thank you for your input and support in 2011 and look forward to your partnership in the year ahead.

Darlene Wolnik
Community Food Security Coalition
Board President