The Community Food and Agriculture Coalition
The Community Food and Agriculture Coalition is a multi-stakeholder coalition that addresses community needs related to food and agriculture in a comprehensive and creative way. The dedicated involvement of citizens, public officials, and people with a range of interests, such as farmers and anti-hunger advocates, is essential to securing the health of our local food and farming system.Some of the specific objectives of CFAC are to:
- Secure policies that support the local food and farming system. For instance, we are working to get the Missoula Schools and restaurants to buy more local food to create larger markets for farmers.
- Educate Missoula County residents about the value of farming and healthy, fresh food. We organized the 2006 Harvest Festival and other educational presentations.
- Promote the economic viability of area farms and ranches, which face real threats from development pressures. We are working to establish a Land Link program and ways to create new markets for local farmers.
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Involve all citizens in decisions that affect their food system. We are inviting those most affected by food insecurity to help guide research about barriers to food access and to promote advocacy efforts to address these issues.
CFAC Background
To increase understanding of our local food system – including food production, processing, distribution, and consumption – a community food assessment (CFA) for Missoula County was conducted, with results released in late 2004. A steering committee representing 15 local organizations with a variety of interests guided the research carried out by University of Montana faculty and students from the Environmental Studies Program and the Department of Social Work.
Click on the tabs at left for more information and complete reports.
Creation of the CFAC
A major recommendation coming out of the CFA process was that a “food policy council” be formed in Missoula County. Although there are many excellent organizations working on various facets of our local food system, no existing entity takes an integrated approach, considering the whole system from farm to fork. Many cities, counties, and state governments have established food policy councils or coalitions that develop and implement solutions to local food problems. Such councils include people who represent a wide range of perspectives because this tends to lead to new, innovative solutions to identified concerns.
Often local governments sanction the work of food policy councils. Here, Missoula City Council and the Board of Missoula County Commissioners passed a resolution to support the work of the CFAC and to include a representative from their respective bodies. Our aim is to work with the City and County to implement a comprehensive food policy for Missoula County.
Mission of the CFAC
Our mission is to develop and strengthen Missoula County's food system: promoting sustainable agriculture, building regional self-reliance; and assuring all citizens equal access to healthy, affordable, and culturally-appropriate food. CFAC facilitates dialogue, education, and collaboration within the community, encouraging creative problem-solving and proactive policy advocacy.
CFAC Membership
The CFAC is composed of members representing relevant and diverse organizations and interests. View a current list of members (PDF).
