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August 2009 > Upcoming events seek public discussion, input on Gainesville's food system

Florida Organic Growers will seek input on Gainesville's food system at upcoming public meetings Sept. 21 and Sept. 29. The Alachua County Library Headquarters in downtown Gainesville will host the first meeting Monday, Sept. 21, 6-8 p.m. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is hosting the second meeting Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6-8 p.m. The Fellowship is at 4225 NW 34th St. in Gainesville.

The meetings are part of a larger Community Food Planning Project being undertaken by FOG with support from a USDA Community Food Planning Grant that will look at food access in Gainesville, Fla., among other issues. The one-year planning project will include an inclusive and collaborative planning process to discuss how aspects of Gainesville’s local food system could be developed and improved. FOG is currently administering a Community Food Assessment that will attempt to discern the food insecurity in various areas of Gainesville, and what community members feel should be done to improve food security and access. The public meetings in Sept. will gather many stakeholders for further discussion of Gainesville's food system needs before working groups come together to form a Local Food Action Plan.

Anyone who eats is a part of a local food system, so FOG hopes many people in Gainesville and greater Alachua County will take the opportunity to provide input on how our region's food security can be increased, and how our local food system could improve our economy.