Nominations are now being accepted for citizens to serve on the Portland Multnomah Food Policy Council and address food access and health issues.
Members will provide policy advice to local governments on food-related matters that impact land use, health, the environment and jobs. The two-year terms begin in January and the deadline to apply is Oct. 21.
Interested community members will require expertise in one or more local food-related issues, such as local agriculture, food security and access, nutrition, food business and industrial practices, community food education and land use.
Priorities for 2012 are expected to include:
- the availability of healthy, affordable food to all residents
- food justice
- urban food production and distribution/land use policies
- expanding the network role of the Council
- the capacity of local communities to engage in healthy food practices
- food system strategic planning
Requirements include that members live or work predominantly in Multnomah County, attend monthly meetings from 4 to 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month, participate on at least one council subcommittee and have the ability to generate policy action items for the council to pursue.
The current 15-member council includes appointees of Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen and Portland Mayor Sam Adams.
Applications are available online or by calling 503-823-4000 to provide auxiliary aids/services to persons with disabilities.