How Can I Help?
The West Central Minnesota Food Council is comprised of 3 sub-committees. Subcommittee working groups are task-oriented and meet monthly to accomplish goals. These meetings are open to individuals and organizations interested in working on the subcommittee goals, whether or not they are members of the Food Council.
Food Security Committee
The Food Security Committee began its work in January 2024, tackling the issue of food insecurity within our communities.
Focus areas for the subcommittee include:
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Support coordination with food banks and food shelves to ensure efficient delivery of services
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Establish or increase city/county funding for food banks, pantries, and hot meal programs
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Support infrastructure at food pantries and food banks to increase fresh food availability.
Reduce barriers that individuals face to accessing food security resources.
The subcommittee is discussing issues such as food recovery, volunteer training at food assistance programs, and including those with lived experience in decision-making
Meet the Chair
Interim Chair - Patrick Hollister
Meeting Time: 3rd Thursday of the Month at 3pm
Contact: patrick.hollister@claycountymn.gov
Urban Ag Committee
The Urban Ag Committee began its work in January 2024, confronting the need for greater urban food opportunities within our communities. Focus areas for the Committee include:
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​Promote urban food forests and fruit orchards.
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Increase access to community gardens and necessary tools for community garden users.
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Connect people to season extension information and resources such as high tunnels and deep winter greenhouses.
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Promote agricultural techniques that don’t require a lot of land like hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and container gardening
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Increase access to public education about the basics of growing your own food
Meet the Chair
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Marketing Local Foods Committee
The Marketing Local Foods Committee began its work in January 2024, and works to expand local and regional markets. Focus areas for the Committee include:
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Expanding opportunities for local food producers to market and sell their products.
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Improving support and building networks for local farm and food businesses.
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Increasing local food production in our region.
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Creating new market channels, opportunities, and partnerships to expand the availability of local foods for consumers in the West Central region.
Meet the Co-Chairs
Meeting Time: 1st Monday of the month at 3:30pm
Lyubov Slashcheva
Contact: slashld3@gmail.com
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Ron Roller
Contact: Rollerolson@gmail.com
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