The Multnomah Food Initiative, led by Commissioner Judy Shiprack and the Office of Sustainability, recently released the Multnomah Food Action Plan after a year of collaboration, planning and gathering input from the community.
The 15-year plan addresses a growing concern regarding many issues around food that people face in Oregon and Multnomah County. Some alarming facts cited in the action plan include:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks Oregon second in hunger.
- Over half of all adults in Multnomah County are overweight or obese.
- Nearly 36,000 people in Multnomah County access emergency food boxes every month.
- Only a small portion of the food we consume is locally grown.
The main goal of the action plan is to create a sustainable food system that is affordable and healthy, based off a strategy of collaborative action and community participation. Broad goals of the plan include improving education, creating new economic opportunities, securing funding and grants, empowering community members, creating policy change, and raising awareness.
The Multnomah Food Initiative’s executive committee is a partnership of organizations including the Portland/Multnomah Food Policy Council, City of Portland, Metro, Portland Public Schools, Burgerville, Portland State University and other community groups.
In May 2010, the Multnomah Food Initiative hosted its kick-off event, the Multnomah Food Summit, which featured over 200 community partners contributing input and support for local food systems, and formulating a common vision for the action plan. Four Action Plan Workshops were held in October in North Portland, Gresham and two in Southeast Portland. These workshops focused on local food issues, healthy eating, social equity and economic vitality. Attendees of the workshops developed strategies for achieving these goals and then prioritized them. The input gathered at these events helped compose the Multnomah Food Action Plan.
Community members interested in the Multnomah Food Action Plan can help by signing the declaration of support (online or print). On January 27, 2011, the Multnomah Food Initiative will host a celebration of the action plan and present the declaration of support. The celebration will be held in the Multnomah Building Boardroom, 10:30am to noon. Download the action plan here: Multnomah Food Action Plan.