The City of Everett, Massachusetts has established a Food Policy Council as part of its plan to ensure that all Everett residents have access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods.
A primary role of the Food Policy Council will be to prioritize the action steps included in the Community Food Plan and to establish a timeline for its implementation. The Community Food Plan was developed following a year-long Community Food Assessment in which research was conducted in four key areas: food security, school food, urban agriculture, and food industry workers. The Plan lays out 13 goals to increase Everett’s access to healthy foods – including expanding nutrition education, developing urban gardens, supporting food industry workers, reducing food waste, and improving school food options.
The project is led by:
- Everett Community Growers – a program of the Everett Community Health Partnership (ECHP), who work to improve health outcomes and increase civic engagement among Everett residents through urban agriculture and other food justice initiatives;
- The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) – the regional planning agency serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of Metropolitan Boston; and,
- The City of Everett – with The Department of Planning & Development and the Office of Health and Wellness serving as municipal contacts.
In a recent address, Mayor Carlo DeMaria praised the formation of the Food Policy Council, which he said will supplement the work already being done on a citywide level to promote healthier living.
“The Food Policy Council will work both with department heads and private businesses to help create a healthier Everett,” he said.
To read more about Everett’s Community Food Assessment and Plan, visit everettcommunitygrowers.wordpress.com.