Thesis
Quantification of food policy groups within the Puget Sound Region
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
05/2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105452
Abstract
Food policy councils (FPCs) help improve food systems through policy and programs devoted to the identification of food systems issues, advocacy for food justice, training and education around food and nutrition, and advancement of policies supporting local agriculture, food production, and food distribution. Little is known about the groups or organizations addressing these important issues in the Puget Sound region despite growing public interest in food systems in this area. This research identified and examined which groups and organizations are active in food policy, food systems programs, and advocacy for food access in the Puget Sound region as of 2015. FPCs were identified in the spring of 2015. Each FPC was contacted to participate in an online survey in August and September of 2015. Two FPCs were selected for in-depth interviews in September 2015 and January 2016. The survey and case study interviews document and describe FPCs in the Puget Sound region and some of the policy and program work in which they are engaged. Measurements of levels of community interaction, levels of policy work, and organizational goals and evaluations help to frame the nature of food systems work being done by these FPCs. Emergent themes indicate that a majority of FPCs in this region are well-established and provide regional coordination of local food systems both through policy and program activities. Many FPCs in the Puget Sound region face challenges in funding and volunteer workforce. Public and private support of these groups and organizations, in combination with community engagement and participation, has fostered significant growth and development of existing FPCs and many of their key programs. The results of this research, in combination with further identification, examination, and characterization of Puget Sound FPCs, will help existing and future FPCs and the communities they support work collaboratively and efficiently toward improvements in food policies and programs supporting food access, eliminating food deserts, and promoting involvement of farmers and consumers in building and maintaining locally oriented food systems.
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Details
- Title
- Quantification of food policy groups within the Puget Sound Region
- Creators
- Robin Renee Taylor
- Contributors
- Carol A. Miles (Chair)Barbara Rasco (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Food Science, School ofRosa Karina Gallardo (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Economic Sciences, School of
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, College of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Number of pages
- 91
- Identifiers
- 99900525005601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis