STATE – Last month Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law the establishment of a State Food Policy Council, called Executive Order 10-02. Gregoire signed the order,  entitled “Strengthening Washington’s Food Systems through Policy and  Collaboration,” at the Food Systems Strategies Summit on the University of  Washington campus. The event was sponsored by the Access to Healthy Foods  Coalition, a collection of businesses and organizations working together to  positively influence health and nutrition in Washington state by improving the  access to healthier foods for Washington citizens.
The Order will bring together agencies and community partner organizations to work on creating a stronger food system in the state. Agencies such as the Department of Health, Agriculture, Social and Health Services, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and others, according to the Governor’s Office, will collaborate on a report about missing information and potential opportunities in regards to state food policy.
According to a press release, in the executive order,  Gregoire calls for the report to be completed by  December 31, 2011. “This report will provide an assessment of existing food  policies and programs as well as identify gaps and issues that need to be  addressed. “
“By acting today we will  bring all aspects of our food system together,” Gregoire said. “This executive  order will help identify the gaps in the food system that prevent nutritious  food from getting to all people in Washington, and to find solutions and  bridge those gaps.”
An article about the new Council and report process will be published in the September/October issue of Grow Northwest.