Montgomery County appoints Food Policy Council leadership

Officials took another step closer to combating food insecurity in Montgomery County by appointing leading members to the Food Policy Council.

Montgomery County Commissioners approved the seven-member leadership team during a board meeting last week. Educators, nonprofit directors, business owners, and others in the food pantry spaces comprise the membership makeup, with additional membership specifying county employees from various departments, including commerce, planning commission, public health, and senior services.

“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,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder said in a statement. “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.”

More than 1.2 million people experience hunger in Pennsylvania, according to Feeding America. Around 7 percent of Montgomery County residents were considered food insecure as of March 2023. Food insecurity has been an increasing problem in the state’s third most populous county, with the COVID-19 pandemic spotlighting the importance of resources such as food pantries.

The Food Policy Council was established back in March, with the newly established entity aimed at consolidating the efforts of different agencies in the region. Food Policy Coordinator Sam Applefield stressed the importance of taking a multi-pronged approach that focuses on equity, sustainability, accessibility, and outreach.

The leadership team will be tasked with offering “strategic guidance and direction” for the council, according to a Montgomery County spokesperson.

“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,” Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said in a statement. “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.”

In 2022, 155,799 household visits and 64,967 individual visits were recorded to MontCo Anti-Hunger Network-partner agencies, according to figures from the Lansdale-based organization.

Figures from late spring and summer 2023 revealed 10,183 households and 30,565 visits reported in May. June displayed a small drop with 9,443 households and 26,314 individuals visiting pantries in June, but upticks were revealed in July and August, with 9,202 households and 27,031 individuals, and 9,784 households and 29,603 individual visits, respectively.

Additionally, there were 22,859 meals served in May 2023 through meal service providers. June, July and August had meal service participation hovering above 12,000 for each of the summer months.

The following people were appointed to the council’s leadership team: Juliana Barcellos, program manager with The Food Trust Program Manager; Brieanne Berry, assistant professor of environmental studies at Ursinus College; Carla Clanagan, Montgomery County program director for the Share Food Program; MontCo Anti-Hunger Executive Director Shannon Isaacs; Sheila Rhodes, founder and owner of Small Batch Kitchen; Executive Director Farmer Jawn and Friends Foundation Executive Director Brandon Ritter; and Tomorrow’s Homestead Director of Farming Rachel Wilson.

The county contingent includes the following additional participants: Jennifer Butler, deputy director for Workforce Development at the Montgomery County Commerce Department; Shanita Fields, community health educator and master gardener for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Public Health; Montgomery County Planning Commission County Planning Manager Anne Leavitt-Gruberger; Montgomery County Planning Commission Environmental Planning Assistant Manager Jon Lesher; and Christina Scott, caseworker supervisor for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Senior Services.

“After establishing working groups, the next step will be to analyze the current system of food distribution and anti-hunger efforts within Montgomery County,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija said in a statement. “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.”

General membership meetings are expected to begin later this year, according to a county spokesperson. County residents are eligible to participate in the working groups or become a general member. Visit montgomerycountypa.gov/FoodPolicyCouncil for more information about the Food Policy Council.

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