Governor Signs Executive Order to Create State Food Policy Forum
For Immediate Release:
June 22, 2010
Contacts:
Ellen Gray, Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network,
360.336-9694, egray@wsffn.org
Good Food Coalition applauds Governor's Executive Order as good step
forward
SEATTLE, Wash - A coalition of farmers, children's health advocates,
environmentalists, and anti-hunger advocates applauded the Executive
Order issued today by Governor Gregoire at the Food Systems Strategies
Summit. Executive Order 10-02 brings together agencies and community
partners to coordinate their work and increase collaboration to
strengthen our state's food system.
"Each year, we lose 70,000 acres of farmland here in Washington. And
the average age of our farmers is 57. Our food system is struggling
and we can - and need - to do better," said Ellen Gray, executive
director of Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network. "I applaud
the Governor for taking this important first step and look forward to
the recommendations this group will bring forward."
The Executive Order tasks the Departments of Health, Agriculture,
Social and Health Services along with the Conservation Commission and
the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to deliver a report
to the Legislature outlining the remaining gaps and opportunities in
Washington state food policy and should help agencies, legislators,
and stakeholders develop solutions that fit our state's needs.
“We need to keep our farmers working, and ensure all kids have access
to farm fresh food,” said Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (Sequim). "This
Executive Order is a building block towards a better way of doing
things, and I’m hopeful that it will result in strong policy
recommendations to the Legislature on how we can promote healthy
farms and healthy food.”
"A greater coordinated focus within state agencies will give me, and
other farmers, the assurance that we are on a path of improving our
food systems," said Jim Baird of Baird Orchards and Cloudview Eco
Farms in Royal City, Washington. "Growing food, growing awareness
about healthier food systems, and creating locally-based economies
will be good for the future of our state."
"Establishing an Executive Order to take a focused look at improving
our food systems is a terrific opportunity to improve the access to
and the quality of healthy foods for all of Washington’s citizens,"
said Victor Colman with the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition.
"Countering our state’s childhood obesity trends is challenging work,
but we know that the solutions require policy changes across multiple
systems that reach beyond individuals and families – especially
medical, land use, transportation, education, workplace as well as our
food system."
"This is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to preserving
farmland and connecting farmers with people across Washington," said
Kerri Cechovic, outreach director at Washington Environmental Council.
"We're looking forward to working with the Governor, the Legislature,
and our Good Food Coalition partners to continue building a healthy
food system for our state."
This Executive Order builds on the success of the Local Farms Healthy
Kids Act passed in 2008 that broke down long-standing institutional
barriers to start connecting Washington's schools with local farmers.
Thanks to the programs created by this law, in 2009 alone, 10,000 kids
ate fresh, locally-grown snacks in schools from Armin Jahr Elementary
in Bremerton to Moxee Elementary in Yakima. Additionally, Farm-to-
School Program staff have worked to connect thousands of people across
Washington including farmers, educators, public health experts, food
distributors and processors, parents and community advocates to help
develop farm-to-school projects.
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The Good Food Coalition advocates for policies that build a
sustainable and socially just food system that supports viable local
farms, protects our air, land and water, and ensures affordable access
to healthy food for all people in Washington State.
