Food Policy Councils: Lessons Learned
2009, produced by Food First and CFSC. Based on an in-depth survey of 48 Food Policy Councils, the authors found that despite dozens of successful case studies, Food Policy Councils tend to encounter similar challenges, challenges that can sometimes stymie progress, and must be countered with careful planning and evaluation. This report contains tips and case studies for successful councils, warns of common red flags, and includes ample resources for citizens and local governments who may be interested in establishing or helping run a Food Policy Council.

How Food Policy Councils Operate and Are Organized (pdf)
2005, produced by Southern SAWG. This chapter, excerpted from a handbook called Food Security Begins at Home, profiles five successful food policy councils in the U.S. to illustrate the many vital roles that such entities play in community food systems. The chapter compares the similarities and differences between community food coalitions and food policy councils, and provides lists of related publications and contact information for food policy councils in the U.S.

Getting Food on the Table: An Action Guide to Local Food Policy
Although written in 1999, this policy guide still offers advocates important information for Food Policy Councils on topics such as leadership, staffing and development (See Chapter 3.3, p.67-73). Also helpful to FPCs are the case studies of Food Policy Councils (see chapter 2) starting on page 29. The guide also includes advice from experienced food policy advocates, a resource guide and federal funding sources.

Economic Development and Redevelopment: A Toolkit on Land Use & Health
This toolkit, from the Land Use & Health Project, is a primer for how public health advocates and local government can stimulate the development of new food retail or expand food access in low-income neighborhoods.

Counties and Local Food Systems: Ensuring Healthy Foods, Nurturing Healthy Children (pdf)
This publication by the National Association of Counties Center for Sustainable Communities lists FPCs as one of four ways that county governments can support local food systems. It provides a case study of Dane County, WI.

Sample Budgets
Here are two anonymous sample budgets for start-up FPCs. These are labeled in terms of their population size. If you have a budget you would like posted here please email it to .

Sample Budget #1 City Population 500,000

Sample Budget #2 City Population 100,000


Other Resources
Integrating Open Space Technology and Dynamic Facilitation (pdf file)
Article on how to use the facilitation processes of open space technology and dynamic facilitation to allow participants to use empathetic listening and team processing.

What Counties Can Do About CAFOs
This article describes several creative approaches to using local policy to battle CAFOs.