2016 ANNUAL REPORT MISSION

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1 2016 ANNUAL REPORT MISSION The Virginia Food System Council s mission is to work to advance a nutrientrich and safe food system for Virginians at all income levels, with an emphasis on access to local food, successful linkages between food producers and consumers, and a healthy, viable future for Virginia s farmers and farmland.

2 CURRENT TRENDS IN VIRGINIA Virginians spend $21 billion annually on food purchases. In 2015, Virginia had 44,700 farmers, about 1,200 fewer than Virginia lost over 100,000 farm acres to development from 2014 to % of Virginia farms have implemented some conservation measure. In 2016, Virginia had an adult obesity rate of 29.2%. The annual total cost of diabetes for people in Virginia was estimated at $8.2 billion. In Virginia, 983,880 (11.8%) individuals are considered food insecure (2014).

3 FOOD COUNCIL NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT A goal of the VFSC is to serve as a facilitator and connector among local food system and food policy councils. In October the VFSC co-hosted a networking event with the Chesapeake Foodshed Network, Cultivate, Catalyze, Connect: A Gathering of Virginia Food System Councils and Networks in Lynchburg. Together with staff from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, including author and food system specialist Mark Winne, the VFSC convened over 60 people from across the state to meet, share information, learn how to develop a food policy council and an advocacy plan, and learn more about the VFSC and how we can help grow a vibrant food system. As a result of this gathering, the VFSC is working to create a directory of food councils throughout the state to foster better communication and resource sharing. FARM TO TABLE The Virginia Cooperative Extension, in partnership with Virginia Food System Council and other organizations, hosted the annual Virginia Farm-to-Table Conference, Cultivating Healthy Farms and Resilient Communities. Over 200 people attended to hear speakers from the Commonwealth and beyond. Notable highlights included presentations from Ellen Kahler of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Dr. Ricardo Salvador from the Food and Environment Program with the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Chef Michael Twitty from Afroculinaria. The Farm to Table program is vital to the state as it helps to promote and create healthy farms and healthy food for all Virginians. This in turn strengthens Virginia s economy and food system. FARM TO INSTITUTION In 2014 the Virginia Food System Council received a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, Enhancing Market Opportunities for Virginia s Specialty Crops and Small to Mid-size Farms through 10 Percent Marketing and Education Campaign. The VFSC is designing a campaign to increase institutional purchasing of local fruits and vegetables grown in Virginia. We are developing branding materials, logos, and educational information to share to encourage institutions to commit to growing their purchasing of Virginia specialty crops. While this campaign will focus mainly on hospitals and universities, the materials developed for this are applicable to a wide-range of institutions and businesses, and we want to feature case studies about those who are already using their institutional budgets to buy locally grown foods. In conjunction with a re-launch of the VFSC s $10 a week pledge, the 10% campaign will be launching in 2017.

4 "My organization has benefited from the expansion of Dietitians/Nutritionists food system knowledge; it takes us beyond our traditional science of nutrients for health to include the ecological practices of agriculture and soil health that sustain the whole food system and planet. It also provides us a big picture, state-wide perspective.." Lynda Fanning, Virginia Food System Council Board Member "Participation in the Virginia Food System Council has elevated our opportunities to connect with local growers and agricultural organizations who inevitably provide access to additional food opportunities for almost 1.2 million individuals food banks provide emergency food to." Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director, Federation of Virginia Food Banks "The Society of St. Andrews has gained exposure in the farm community in Virginia and that has been very helpful as we save and distribute fresh produce in every county in the state." Steven Waldmann, Executive Director, Society of St. Andrews " GET INVOLVED Are you an individual who is passionate about fostering a vibrant and resilient food system in Virginia? Are you working on a local food policy council in Virginia? Then we d love to hear from you! There are several ways to get involved with the Virginia Food System Council: Join our listserv through our website ( to stay up to date on VFSC meetings and events. Follow us on Twitter (@VaFoodCouncil) and like us on Facebook. Send information about your local food policy council for inclusion in a state-wide directory to allisonspain@virginiafoodsystemcouncil.org

5 VIRGINIA FOOD SYSTEM COUNCIL BOARD MEMBERS Dominic Barrett Shalom Farms Eric Bendfeldt Virginia Cooperative Extension Corey DiLuciano UVA Health System Leanne Dubois Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Andrea Early Harrisonburg City Public Schools Lynda Fanning Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Rick Felker Mattawoman Creek Farm Christy Gabbard Chesapeake Foodshed Network Dale Gardner Water Stewardship Inc. Molly Harris Lulu's Local Food Heidi Hertz Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth Allie Hill Virginia Food Works Kellie Hinkle Loudon County Economic Development Kathy Holm National Resources Conservation Council, USDA Jessica Palmer Piedmont Environmental Council Leslie van Horn Federation of Virginia Food Banks Kristen Suokko Local Food Hub Michael Waldmann Society of St. Andrew

6 THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS AND PARTNERS