Lansdale business owner, Anti-Hunger Network director named to inaugural Montco Food Policy Council

(The following information was provided by the Montgomery County Office of Communications.)

The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners has approved members of the inaugural leadership team of the Food Policy Council. This leadership team will provide strategic guidance and direction for the Council as it seeks to make a more equitable and sustainable food system in Montgomery County in order to tackle food insecurity.

The Food Policy Leadership Team brings together representatives from County departments including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Planning Commission, and the Commerce Department, as well as several community stakeholder organizations working in agriculture, public health, education, environmental sustainability, social justice, and community development.

The Food Policy Council’s goal is to foster a fairer, more stable food system in Montgomery County by increasing coordination among County offices and community partners, improving communication among food systems stakeholders, and identifying collective goals and developing ways to achieve them.

“Our new Food Policy Council Leadership Team brings together a diverse range of skills, experiences, and backgrounds that will lead action and policy recommendations to reduce hunger and food insecurity in Montgomery County,” said Jamila H. Winder, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Food insecurity is not an individual issue, it’s a systemic and organizational problem that we need to solve to make sure that everyone in our community has access to adequate food and quality nutrition.”

“We are proud to announce these members of Montgomery County’s first ever Food Policy Council Leadership Team,” said Neil Makhija, Montgomery County commissioner. “After establishing working groups, the next step will be to analyze the current system of food distribution and anti-hunger efforts within Montgomery County. We know that resources exist, but we need to move towards a coordinated food system that better serves our residents. I’m positive that with this leadership team, we will make strides towards that goal.”

“The Food Policy Council Leadership Team will work closely with County departments to get a broad view of Montgomery County’s food distribution network, and that includes our local agricultural industries,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County commissioner. “A key part of elevating the County’s food distribution capabilities is boosting our local farms and local businesses. I look forward to valuable recommendations that continue to promote our local food economy as part of the solution.”

The Food Policy Leadership Team members and their roles are:

Rachel Wilson, Director of Farming, Tomorrow’s Homestead

Juliana Barcellos, Program Manager, The Food Trust

Carla Clanagan, Montgomery County Program Director, Share Food Program

Shannon Isaacs, Executive Director, Montco Anti-Hunger Network

Sheila Rhodes, Founder and owner, Small Batch Kitchen

Brieanne Berry, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Ursinus College

Brandon Ritter, Executive Director, Farmer Jawn and Friends Foundation

Additional county representatives on the leadership team will include:

Anne Leavitt-Gruberger, County Planning Manager, Montgomery County Planning Commission

Jon Lesher, Environmental Planning Assistant Manager, Montgomery County Planning Commission

Jennifer Butler, Deputy Director for Workforce Development, Montgomery County Commerce Department

Shanita Fields, Community Health Educator and Master Gardener, Office of Public Health, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

Christina Scott, Caseworker Supervisor, Office of Senior Services, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

The leadership team will establish working groups on priority issues and host general membership meetings, both of which are anticipated to start later this year. Any Montgomery County resident is welcome to participate in either the working group or general membership.

For more information about the Food Policy Council, visit www.montgomerycountypa.gov/FoodPolicyCouncil.