Douglas County Food Policy Council | WellCommons

About Douglas County Food Policy Council

The Food Policy Council is an advisory council to the County Commission, established in September 2009.

The Food Policy Council seeks to identify the benefits, challenges and opportunities for a successful, sustainable local food system in Douglas County.

The FPC will serve as a forum for discussion and coordination for community-wide efforts to improve the Douglas County community’s access to local food supply and distribution networks. Therefore, the FPC will focus on the following priority areas:

A. Economic development and entrepreneurial opportunities related to local food production and consumption

B. Improved health outcomes

C. Positive environmental quality impacts

D. Increased access to, and distribution of wholesome, local food

E. Support for local producers of sustainable food products

F. Identification, preservation, and/or sustainable development of local resources including soil, agricultural land, important breeds/cultivars, water, skilled labor, capital, and markets

G. Increased education and awareness on the part of Douglas County residents regarding the benefits of locally produced foods The Council seeks to identify the benefits, challenges and opportunities for a successful, sustainable local food system in Douglas County.

Latest

Backyard Chickens for Beginners: why owning chickens is easier than you think

4 comments

Posted by Our Local Food Kaw River Valley to Local Food News and Events from the Kaw River Valley,
latest response from Reneescaldwell on Aug. 24, 2012

Second Annual Farmers Market @ the County Fair - Thursday, August 2, 2012!

Posted by Linda Cottin to Linda Cottin's Blog
July 31, 2012

Local Garlic 2012: A Good Year or a Bad Year?

Posted by Our Local Food Kaw River Valley to Local Food News and Events from the Kaw River Valley
June 27, 2012

Virtual Local Food Bus Tour of Northeast Kansas

Posted by Our Local Food Kaw River Valley to Local Food News and Events from the Kaw River Valley
May 31, 2012

Brown Bagging It for Lawrence Meals On Wheels!!!

Posted by Mealsonwheels to Aging Well
March 22, 2012

Chefs showcase flavor of local foods at first 'Farmers Market at the Fair' event

Posted by Karrey Britt to Food & Nutrition
Aug. 4, 2011
latest response from Cant_have_it_both_ways on Aug. 4, 2011

Find us at the Farmers Market at the Fair!

Posted by Julie Mettenburg to Our Local Food – Kaw River Valley
Aug. 1, 2011

Community Open House, May 18th

Posted by Carolyn Ward to Just Food
May 17, 2011

Just Food pantry to remain open thanks to $80,000 in donations

Posted by Karrey Britt to Un(der)Insured
April 28, 2011
latest response from Lily Siebert on April 28, 2011

Health Reporter Spends a Day at Just Food

Posted by Carolyn Ward to Just Food
March 10, 2011

Souper Bowl Week of Caring

Posted by Carolyn Ward to Just Food
Feb. 1, 2011
latest response from Jane Stevens on Feb. 1, 2011

Just Food Reaches Out to the Douglas County Community

Posted by Carolyn Ward to Just Food
Dec. 16, 2010

Defining "local"

Posted by Emily Hampton
Dec. 2, 2010

Food Policy Council Agenda- November 15, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
Nov. 8, 2010

Notes from Food Policy Council meeting - October 18, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
Nov. 8, 2010

Food Policy Council Agenda- October 18, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
Nov. 8, 2010

FPC Committee Notes: Schooled by an 11 year-old...

Posted by Eileen Horn
Nov. 4, 2010

What Does Local Food Mean?

Posted by John Wilson
Oct. 12, 2010

FPC Committee Notes: Don't Get the Drift

Posted by Eileen Horn
Oct. 11, 2010

Notes from Food Policy Council meeting - September 20, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
Oct. 11, 2010

Food Policy Council Agenda - September 20, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
Sept. 15, 2010

Notes from Food Policy Council meeting - August 16, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
Sept. 15, 2010

Food Policy Council Booth at the Fair

Posted by Eileen Horn
July 30, 2010
latest response from Daniel Poull on July 30, 2010

Notes from Food Policy Council meeting - June 21, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
July 30, 2010

Notes from Food Policy Council meeting - July 19, 2010

Posted by Eileen Horn
July 30, 2010

Kaw Valley Regional Food -studies and reports

Posted by Eileen Horn
July 2, 2010

What's are the goals of this group--just curious

Posted by Ken Lassman
June 28, 2010
latest response from Eileen Horn on June 28, 2010

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Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department »

Health Department's Healthy Families program provides support as teenage couple grow into parents

Mandy Gwirtz, Healthy Families Douglas County case manager, left, watches how 6-month-old Ashton Walker grasps his toys along with his parents Zach Walker and Emily Rader during a home visit in January 2013. Mandy is looking at Ashton’s motor development skills.

When Emily Radar and Zach Walker learned they were going to have a baby, they say their lives were turned upside down. Emily was a ...

DCCDA: Families, Farmers and Educators United For Healthy Child Development »

Strawberries at Cottin's Farmers' Market!

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center »

Bert Nash CEO draws inspiration from his parents, who modeled a life of service

When facing challenges, all David Johnson, Bert Nash CEO, has to do for inspiration is look to his father, who overcame serious physical limitations to lead a life devoted to service to others.

David Johnson doesn’t have to look far for inspiration. In fact, he has to look no farther than his own office. There, hanging on the ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Zach has died

people.com photograph

No one in Lawrence cared enough about Zach or the blog to even make one comment. Now he has died. Does it make any difference ...

Simplify Your Life »

The Really, Really Free Market is Saturday!

It is that time of year again! Start cleaning out your closets and garages, the Really, Really Free Market is right around the corner. This ...

Linda Cottin's Blog »

It's Strawberry Season!!!

This week, local strawberries will be showing up at farmers market booths all across town for the first time this season!

It’s Strawberry Time!!!!! The much awaited spring gardening delicacy has finally arrived. This year’s extended cold weather, coupled with a lack of sunny days, delayed ...

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center »

Flower power: Eagle Scout's service project spruces up grounds at Bert Nash Center

To earn his Eagle Scout community service merit badge, Jake Keary, who will be a junior at Free State High School, replaced the Sandra Shaw Memorial Bench and planted flowers on the grounds of the Bert Nash Center, where his mom is a clinician.

It took awhile to see the results, but the fruit of Jake Keary’s labor is starting to show. And later this spring, the evidence should ...

Kiddos »

Safe to Sleep

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has launched the Safe to Sleep campaign to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ...

Early Childhood in Douglas County »

Safe to Sleep

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has launched the Safe to Sleep campaign to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ...

KHI News Service »

Personal Care Attendants: KanCare's unheralded workers

In Lawrence, Shannon Graham talks on the phone while nurse Kiran Sarai, center, helps six-year-old Max. Graham has five adopted children, four of whom have significant disabilities. The family relies on the weekly assistance of between eight and 10 personal care attendants and nurses. Pictured in the foreground, left to right are Carli, 24, Taegan, 5, and Cheyenne, 15.

LAWRENCE—Every day a small army of Kansans — officials estimate there are about 16,000 of them — are at work helping some of the state’s ...

Midwifery 101: Options for pregnant women

When a woman is having a baby, planning begins long before the baby is due. For many women, part of the planning process includes deciding whether to use a physician or a midwife. In Lawrence, women have the option to use certified nurse midwives or lay midwives, and to have an at-home birth or hospital birth. By Meagan Thomas

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center »

Bert Nash client shares his story by writing poetry: 'If I can help anybody along the way, I'm glad to do it'

Ron Fowler likes to express his thoughts and feelings by writing poetry.

Ron Fowler may not be comfortable speaking in front of a group. He prefers to express his thoughts and feelings in a different way. Writing ...

Relay For Life of Douglas County »

Light up Douglas County with a Birthday Celebration!

May 22, 2013 marks the 100th Birthday of the American Cancer Society (ACS). The ACS has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world ...

Growing Food, Growing Health »

Growing Food, Growing Health 2013 Crew

We are in constant amazement of the magical, inspirational growth in our gardens. Throughout a season, we watch dozens of species blossom and change, growing ...

Bobcat Marathon Club »

Wait! There's More!

Haley finishes with 26.2!

Two more finishers to end the season! Way to go Bobcats! Now that's a wrap!

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center »

Easy rider

Bicycling is part of a healthy lifestyle.

May is Bike Month, but every month is bike month for Bert Nash psychiatrist Joe Douglas. He rides his bicycle to work year-round, weather permitting, ...

Fun Runs and Walks »

Run for Kids 5K

The Run for Kids 5K run/walk will take place Sunday, May 19, 2013 starting at 8 am. The race will start behind Johnny's Tavern at ...

Relay For Life of Douglas County »

Relay Idol Competition at Relay For Life of Douglas County

Relay Idol Flyer

Got talent? Prove it! Introducing Relay Idol to Relay For Life of Douglas County Friday, June 7th, 2013 Free State High School Track Lawrence, KS ...

NeuCare Family Medicine »

Creating end-of-life wishes with a free, online service

MyDirectives.com. A free online service to create a personalized Advanced Medical Directive.

As a primary care provider, I ask all new patients if they have end-of-life wishes or formal "Advance Medical Directives". Advanced directives are often part ...

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center »

Be our guest

Bert Nash CEO David Johnson hosted a group of visitors from Africa. Each member of the Rotary group study exchange team works in the medical field.

Visitors from Africa — part of a Rotary group study exchange — were guests at the Bert Nash Center on Wednesday and attended a Discover ...

Marcia Epstein's Blog »

Headquarters Counseling Center Receives 2013 Crisis Center Excellence Award

Headquarters Counseling Center was honored with the Crisis Center Excellence Award by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) at their conference in Austin. The annual ...

LMH working to prepare for 'Obamacare' insurance exchanges, but questions aplenty remain

There are still a lot of details even the top officials at Lawrence Memorial Hospital don’t understand about the new system of buying health insurance under the federal Affordable Care Act. But Joe Pedley, LMH’s chief financial officer, believes one concept for consumers is abundantly clear. “People had better learn how to do math,” Pedley said. By Chad Lawhorn

A Trail a Day »

Summer Love: Tips for hot weather running

In the heat of summer, try to schedule runs early or late in the day and find shade.

As I entered mile five or so of my run this morning, I started thinking time had sped up and it was July because no ...

Bobcat Marathon Club »

Not too hot to trot ... or finish a marathon!

Andrew! Nice work!

Aye, aye aye! We had 42 marathon finishers today! As a club, we ran a total of 6,839.8 miles! We had 132 kids finish one ...

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department »

Lawrence environmental health specialist takes mission trip to remote Alaskan area

Andrew Stull, environmental health specialist for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, stands between the bones of a Bowhead whale near a cemetery in Point Hope, Alaska.

Andrew Stull, environmental health specialist for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, spent two weeks in April in Kotzebue, Alaska, and five nearby villages as part ...

Aging Well »

THE SENIOR CELEBRATION ART SHOW and RECEPTION

SENIOR CELEBRATION ART SHOW &
RECEPTION

THE SENIOR CELEBRATION ART SHOW - June 1st thru 30th 1510 St. Andrews Drive at Drury Place at Alvamar 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily ...

Linda Cottin's Blog »

Farmers Markets Are the Key Ingredient

With fresh ingredients from your local farmers market it is easy to make even the simplest of meals special.

On Friday, May 10, Micahel Pollan spoke about his new book “Cooked” at the Unity Temple in Kansas City. Several folks from Lawrence were lucky ...

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center »

Mental Health Month proclamation

Mayor Dever reads a proclamation observing Mental Health Month.

Lawrence Mayor Michael Dever read a proclamation at Tuesday's city commission meeting in observance of Mental Health Month, proclaiming "a commitment to community-based systems of ...

Healthy Body & Mind »

Third graders get moving at Kansas Kids Fitness Day

Jump Rope Relays was one of 10 activity stations for students at Kansas Kids Fitness Day.

Anschutz Sports Pavilion on the University of Kansas campus was bursting with energy last Friday morning as 620 third-graders from Northeast Kansas filled it as ...

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department »

Debbie Mitchell marks 5 years of service in Health Department's clinic office — 'a busy place'

Debbie Mitchell, clinic office assistant at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, was recognized May 14, 2013, during a staff meeting for five years of service.

Before joining the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department staff five years ago, Debbie Mitchell admits she had “no clue” about all of the services it provided ...