Item B: Sustainability Commission Recommendations

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closely followed the trend of rising fuel prices over summer, this is mostly attributable to the distances that food must travel to reach consumers. Nationally the average grocery store produce travels an average 1,500 miles before reaching a consumer’s table. With the implementation of a food security plan, the distance food travels to reach the community would be minimized, therefore lessening the impact of rising costs on the people of Eugene and Lane County. Every mile that food travels, fossil fuels are consumed and greenhouse gases are emitted. In addition to positively contributing to the local economy increased use of local food resources also decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and community dependence on imported fossil fuels. All of the deficiencies in our current state of community food security, or lack thereof, can be addressed through the rebuilding of our regional food system. A complete regional food system increases a region’s food self- reliance, increases the safety and health of foods consumed, encompasses an interconnected agricultural bio- system that produces more diverse foods capable of sustaining local populations, and strengthens local economies. It also reduces the use and reliance on diminishing fossil fuel resources and the related toxins and soil depletion that further threaten population health. A complete regional food system insures that in times of emergencies, adequate food stores are close by and immediately available. It also strengthens the ability for regional farm surpluses to be managed locally for the feeding of the needy or homeless. 4. Potential Partners Eugene has many different groups and organizations that focus on community food issues. Below are some of the groups the city could partner with in the development of the food security plan. Lane County Food Policy Council (LCFPC) The Food Policy Council works with many different parts of the community food system that would need to be coordinated in order to develop and implement a food security plan, including farmers, processors, retailers, anti- hunger organizations, nutritionists, researchers, government representatives, and other community members. The Food Policy Council is currently preparing a community food system assessment for Lane County, including: Geographic Information System soil mapping; inventory and capacity of growers, CSAs, grocery markets, farmers markets, distributors, processors, and storage facilities; list of Federal Food Assistance Programs; breakdown of food dollar—for buyer and producer; community garden map; environmental factors; appraisal of food waste systems; evaluation of food accessibility, availability, and affordability; neighborhood readiness; and local assistance to the vulnerable. Southern Willamette Valley Bean and Grain Project This consortium of farmers, agencies, non-profits, community organizers and business owners believes growing nutritionally dense beans and grains in the Willamette Valley and selling them to local markets makes good sense: agriculturally, economically, and for long term regional food security. In an effort to start a movement to transition agricultural acreage currently in ornamental grass seed back into food crops, two farmers in Benton County have grown a diverse array of bean and grain crops over the past three years. Other project members have worked to create local markets for these crops (to date there is more demand than product), develop buyer/seller relationships, evaluate gaps in the local food infrastructure such as processing and storage capacity, and educate other farmers about the importance of crop diversity and the economic opportunities of the emerging markets. Willamette Farm and Food Coalition The Willamette Farm and Food Coalition (WFFC) is a community non-profit that facilitates and supports the development of a secure and sustainable food system in Lane County. The coalition connects local farmers and consumers at all levels (individuals, businesses, and institutions), serving as a matchmaker and broker between buyers and sellers. WFFC publishes Locally Grown, a directory of foods & wines in Lane County, and distributes 30,000 copies per year. The coalition is currently conducting a detailed inventory of the agricultural lands in Lane Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090209\S090209B.doc