The Multnomah Food Initiative is an innovative partnership between community organizations, businesses, and local governments to promote a more sustainable, equitable and healthy local food system.  www.multnomahfood.org

The goal of the Multnomah Food Initiative is to develop a shared community vision, collaborative food system goals, and a 15-year action plan that will:

1. Increase viable local options in our food system

2. Make the healthy choice an easier choice for all

3. Build systemic justice, health, and food security
   

4. Promote a thriving local economy

During the first phase of development, the Multnomah Food Initiative staff and Steering Committee have been committed to building upon existing efforts. As we move into the second phase of development, we are looking forward to engaging the community and beginning the process of developing a strategic action plan.

Click here to read the 2010 Multnomah Food Report, which synthesizes existing food system reports, assessments, and recommendations, provides background information on the purpose and goals of the Multnomah Food Initiative, and lays the foundation for the development of an action plan.

Get Involved! Stay informed about Multnomah Food Initiative developments by joining our e-mailing list or volunteering.

Why a Food Initiative?

Multnomah County is at the epicenter of the local food movement. There are countless food-related, grassroots efforts being made in the community, as well as numerous projects and initiatives led by local government. The prevalence of local Farmers' Markets and growing interest in organic gardening indicate strong community support for local food, but we must do more. To achieve a truly sustainable, healthy and equitable food system, all partners must help reach a common vision and share responsibility for the implementation of a strategic action plan.

Did you know?

It makes more sense than ever to implement a local food initiative. Despite the energy generated by local food in communities throughout Oregon, statistics show that our food system is broken:

• Oregon is ranked second in hunger by the United States Department of Agriculture.

• About 36,000 Multnomah County residents access emergency food boxes each month.

• Half of all adults in Multnomah County are either overweight or obese.

• Chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are on the rise

• Half of all Multnomah County children will be on food stamps at one point in their childhood.

• Only a small percentage of the food that we consume is grown locally (estimates indicate 5-10%).

• We lack a coordinated strategy to ensure the vitality of our local food system.

Why an Action Plan?

Multnomah County, like much of the country, is at a critical juncture in fixing its food system. Currently, we have a two-track food system: those who can afford it have access to sustainable, locally grown, healthful foods, while the poor have few healthful food options in their communities, and even fewer economic resources to purchase such foods. Hunger, food insecurity, and health disparities result from a system that perpetuates economic inequality and social injustice. The scales must be rebalanced.

Currently, Multnomah County lacks a coordinated strategy around its food system. While there is tremendous effort being made to create a sustainable, healthy, and equitable local food system in Multnomah County, the collective impact of our work can be increased through a community-wide vision and strategic action plan.

Multnomah County policymakers have proclaimed that all residents should have access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate, locally and sustainably grown food. Planning for this outcome is critical. Our region has transportation plans, land use plans, climate action plans, and economic development strategies. The time has come to develop a food system strategy and action plan to protect and enhance our food system.

All stakeholders have a voice in the future of our food system --- every eater, backyard gardener, urban and rural farmer, food processor and distributor, emergency food provider, restaurant, grocer, and market vendor. Creating a shared vision and goals among stakeholders through collaborative action is critical for making effective change in food system policy and programs.

Multnomah Food Initiative Steering Committee organizations:

City of Portland; Metro; Portland/Multnomah Food Policy Council; East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District; Alison Dennis, Burgerville; Bright Neighbor; CNRG; Cogan Owens Cogan, LLC; Andy Fisher, Community Food Security Coalition; Stacey Sobell Williams, Ecotrust; Jenny Holmes, Interfaith Food and Farms Partnership, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; Growing Gardens; Hacienda CDC; Suzanne Briggs, Kaiser Permanente; Loaves and Fishes; Montavilla Farmers Market; Multnomah County Chronic Disease Prevention Program; Multnomah County Sustainability Program; Multnomah County Office of Commissioner Judy Shiprack; Native American Youth and Families Center; New Seasons Market; Oregon State University Extension Service; Jon Stubenvoll, Oregon Food Bank; Portland Farmers Market; Sheila Martin, Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, Portland State University; Portland Permaculture Guild; Portland Public Schools; ReCode Oregon; Jeremy O'Leary, The Dirt, Transition PDX; Mel Rader, Upstream Public Health; Amber Baker, Village Gardens, Janus Youth Programs, Inc.