Food Policy Councils

Community Food Assessments
Good Laws Good Food: Putting Local Food Policy to Work for Our Communities
From the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic and the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, details about legal concepts surrounding local food systems
Healthy Food Policy Database
Additional examples of policies that support a thriving food system.
Advocacy and Lobbying 101 for Food Policy Councils
Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic and the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
A toolkit for communities from seed to start-up
Community Food Strategies - Includes guidance for holding a series of meetings for (1) clarifying intentions, (2) drafting a charter, (3) transitioning to a council
Council organizing documents
Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council - Includes examples of documents to consider when establishing a FPC including bylaws and a member handbook.
Model Policy to Establish a Food Policy Council & Model Bylaws
Metropolitan Area Planning Council - Model policy for establishing a food policy council through a formal municipal process, with some content that might be helpful more broadly including sample language for purpose - mission and function, objectives, member responsibilities, and more.
Structuring Your Food Policy Council
Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future - Briefly outlines 5 common structures and benefits and challenges of each
Doing Food Policy Councils Right: A Guide to Development and Action
Mark Winne - Chapter 1 pages 5-8 cover "Why's and What's of Food Policy Councils"
Healthy Food Policy Project Policy Database
Browse the database at the Healthy Food Policy Project
The Collaborative’s Municipal Policy Toolkit
Local Food Systems: The Role of Municipal Governments
Budget Tips for Food System Advocates
A strategic guide for effective state budget advocacy—detailing how to influence line‑item appropriations, coordinate with legislative champions, and shape the fiscal narrative to secure local food system investments.