Explanation
BACKGROUND: On November 11, 2016 Columbus City Council approved resolution 0275X-2016 to formally accept the Local Food Action Plan (LFAP), which is a joint City/County plan sponsored by then President Pro Tem Priscilla Tyson and Commissioner John O’Grady. The plan took two years to develop and includes 4 goals and 27 recommendations.
The goals of the LFAP include: enhancing coordination & communication among existing food resources among agencies, improving access to and education about healthy food, affordable food, and local food, increasing the role of food in economic development, and preventing food related waste. The recommendations contained within the plan explore strategies to address food insecurity as well as innovative approaches to improve the local food system.
The plan was developed with the understanding that increasing residents’ access to healthy food is a key element to maintaining a high quality of life, and it is one of the building blocks for a stronger community. Further, the data shows that a number of residents are dealing with obesity, diet-related diseases, food insecurity, and access to local food.
The funding being provided will help facilitate the implementation of the LFAP priorities. The Local Food Action Board will be working to implement actions included in the LFAP. Columbus Public Health intends to use funding for priority initiatives implemented by the Local Food Advisory Board through December 31, 2019.
This one-time funding will support the transition year for creating and implementing a single application and process for the City of Columbus, Franklin County and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation community garden grant programs. Creating a common platform and timeline will reduce the administrative burden on applicants and allow the funders to more effectively leverage resources to support the approximately 100 gardens that these grants support each year.
This funding will also support Colu...
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