Montgomery County Appoints Leadership of Food Policy Council

Planks at the Keystone Opportunity Center food bank in Souderton. (MediaNews Group file)

NORRISTOWN – Officials have moved one step closer to combating food insecurity in Montgomery County by appointing key members to the Food Policy Council.

Montgomery County Commissioners approved the seven-member leadership team during a board meeting last week. Educators, nonprofit executives, business owners and others in the food bank space make up the membership, with additional members specifying employees from various departments, including commerce, planning commission, public health and senior services.

“Our new Food Policy Council Leadership Team brings together a wide range of skills, experiences and backgrounds that will guide action and policy recommendations to reduce hunger and food insecurity in Montgomery County,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder said in a statement. “Food insecurity is not an individual problem, it is a systemic and organizational problem that we must solve to ensure that everyone in our community has access to sufficient food and quality nutrition.”

According to Feeding America, more than 1.2 million people in Pennsylvania are hungry. About 7 percent of Montgomery County residents were considered food insecure in March 2023. Food insecurity is a growing problem in the state’s third-most populous county, with the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of resources like food banks.

The Food Policy Council was established in March, with the newly created entity aimed at consolidating the efforts of various agencies in the region. Food Policy Coordinator Sam Applefield stressed the importance of a multi-pronged approach that focuses on equity, sustainability, accessibility and outreach.

According to a Montgomery County spokesperson, the leadership team will be tasked with providing “strategic guidance and direction” to the council.

“The Food Policy Council Leadership Team will work closely with county departments to gain a broad view of Montgomery County’s food distribution network, and that includes our local agricultural industries,” Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said in a statement. “A key component of improving the county’s food distribution capabilities is to incentivize our local farms and local businesses. I look forward to valuable recommendations that continue to promote our local food economy as part of the solution.”

According to figures from the Lansdale-based organization, 155,799 home visits and 64,967 individual visits were recorded in 2022 at partner organizations of the MontCo Anti-Hunger Network.

Figures from late spring and summer 2023 showed that 10,183 households and 30,565 visits were reported in May. June showed a small decrease with 9,443 households and 26,314 individuals visiting the pantries in June, but increases were seen in July and August with 9,202 households and 27,031 individuals, and 9,784 households and 29,603 individual visits, respectively.

In addition, 22,859 meals were served through meal service providers in May 2023. In June, July and August, participation in meal services fluctuated above 12,000 for each of the summer months.

The following individuals were named to the council’s leadership team: Juliana Barcellos, program manager at The Food Trust Program Manager; Brieanne Berry, assistant professor of environmental studies at Ursinus College; Carla Clanagan, program director of the Share Food Program of Montgomery County; MontCo Anti-Hunger Executive Director Shannon Isaacs; Small Batch Kitchen Founder and Owner Sheila Rhodes; Farmer Jawn Executive Director and Friends Foundation Executive Director Brandon Ritter; and Tomorrow’s Homestead Director Rachel Wilson.

The county contingent includes the following additional participants: Jennifer Butler, associate director for workforce development for the Montgomery County Commerce Department; Shanita Fields, public health educator and master gardener for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Public Health; Anne Leavitt-Gruberger, county planning manager for the Montgomery County Planning Commission; Jon Lesher, assistant environmental planning manager for the Montgomery County Planning Commission; and Christina Scott, social work supervisor for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Senior Services.

“After forming the task forces, the next step will be to analyze the current system of food distribution and anti-hunger efforts in Montgomery County,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija said in a statement. “We know the resources are there, but we need to move toward a coordinated food system that better serves our residents. I am confident that with this leadership team, we will move toward that goal.”

According to a county spokesperson, general membership meetings will begin later this year. County residents are eligible to participate in the working groups or become members at large. For more information about the Food Policy Council, visit montgomerycountypa.gov/FoodPolicyCouncil.

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