About the Multnomah Food Initiative

The Multnomah Food Initiative is an innovative partnership between community organizations, businesses, and local governments to promote a more sustainable, equitable and healthy local food system. Read about the start of the Multnomah Food Initiative in this Oregonian Article. 

 The goal of the Multnomah Food Initiative is to develop a shared community vision, collaborative food system goals, and a 15-year action plan that will:

1.      Increase viable local options in our food system

2.      Make the healthy choice an easier choice for all

3.      Build systemic justice, health, and food security

4.      Promote a thriving local economy

Phase 1:  Building on Existing Efforts  

In 2009, the Portland/Multnomah Food Policy Council submitted recommendations to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners to launch a countywide food system initiative. On September 10, 2009, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the recommendations and tasked the Office of Sustainability and the Health Department with creating the Multnomah Food Initiative. Multnomah County invited food system stakeholders from the community to join a Steering Committee to provide direction on the initiative's process and outcomes. At the end of this phase, Multnomah County released the Multnomah Food Report  which synthesizes existing food system reports, assessments, and recommendations, provides background information on the purpose and goals of the Multnomah Food Initiative, and lays the foundation for the development of a food system action plan so that we are building off of existing efforts.

Phase 2:  The Multnomah Food Summit

The first annual Multnomah Food Summit held on May 1, 2010 marked the second phase of the initiative and was co-hosted by Multnomah County and the Multnomah Food Initiative Steering Committee. The Summit was attended by over 200 food system stakeholders, as well as elected officials from Multnomah County, Metro, and the U.S. House of Representatives. The purpose of the Summit was to officially launch a planning process for a community strategic action plan for our local food system. Summit outcomes included networking stakeholders in our local food system, recognizing a community mandate for a shared vision and goals, and discussing a draft action plan framework.

Phase 3:  Action Plan Development & Community Engagement

As we move into the third phase of the initiative, Multnomah County will host four community workshops (one for each action area of the action plan) in the fall of 2010 to further refine the action plan. To get involved, visit the Get Involved page. The Multnomah Food Action Plan will set forth our shared community vision, goals, and action plan and will be designed as a tool to help focus our community's resources and efforts on community-established priorities so that we plan and invest wisely.

Phase 4:  Celebration & Implementation

Now that the Action Plan has been released it is time to celebrate! Everyone has a role in our food system and we invite organizations and individuals to show your support for the Plan by signing the online Declaration of Support. On January 27th, 2011, we will be hosting a Multomah Food Action Plan Celebration to recognize the tremendous effort and commitment of our community in developing one of the first community food system action plans in the nation. Food system stakeholders are invited to align their strategic efforts within the Plan and collaborate on the 65 actions identified as critical to transforming our food system. Working together we can overcome barriers, forge new partnerships, enact new policies, and raise awareness so that it will be easy for families to choose healthy and regionally-produced food.

Did you know?

It makes more sense than ever to implement a local food initiative. Despite the energy generated by local food in communities throughout Oregon, statistics show that our food system is broken:

·         Oregon is ranked second in hunger by the United States Department of Agriculture.

·         About 36,000 Multnomah County residents access emergency food boxes each month.

·         Half of all adults in Multnomah County are either overweight or obese.

·         Chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are on the rise.

·         Half of all public school students in Multnomah County are eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches.

·         Approximately 30% of Multnomah County children are eligible to receive food through the SNAP food assistance program.

·         Only a small percentage of the food that we consume is grown locally.

·         We lack a coordinated strategy to ensure the vitality of our local food system.

Why a Food Initiative?

Multnomah County is at the epicenter of the local food movement. There are countless food-related, grassroots efforts being made in the community, as well as numerous projects and initiatives led by local government. The prevalence of local Farmers' Markets and growing interest in organic gardening indicate strong community support for local food, but we must do more. To achieve a truly sustainable, healthy and equitable food system, all partners must help reach a common vision and share responsibility for the implementation of a strategic action plan.

Why an Action Plan?

Multnomah County, like much of the country, is at a critical juncture in fixing its food system. Currently, we have a two-track food system: those who can afford it have access to sustainable, locally grown, healthful foods, while the poor have few healthful food options in their communities, and even fewer economic resources to purchase such foods. Hunger, food insecurity, and health disparities result from a system that perpetuates economic inequality and social injustice. The scales must be rebalanced.

Currently, Multnomah County lacks a coordinated strategy around its food system. While there is tremendous effort being made to create a sustainable, healthy, and equitable local food system in Multnomah County, the collective impact of our work can be increased through a community-wide vision and strategic action plan.

Multnomah County policymakers have proclaimed that all residents should have access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate, locally and sustainably grown food. Planning for this outcome is critical. Our region has transportation plans, land use plans, climate action plans, and economic development strategies. The time has come to develop a food system strategy and action plan to protect and enhance our food system.

All stakeholders have a voice in the future of our food system --- every eater, backyard gardener, urban and rural farmer, food processor and distributor, emergency food provider, restaurant, grocer, and market vendor. Creating a shared vision and goals among stakeholders through collaborative action is critical for making effective change in food system policy and programs.

Multnomah Food Initiative Steering Committee organizations:

Metro; City of Portland; Portland/Multnomah Food Policy Council; 47th Avenue Farm; Bright Neighbor; Burgerville; CNRG; Cogan Owens Cogan, LLC; Community Food Security Coalition; East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District; Ecotrust Food and Farms; Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon; Growing Gardens; Hacienda Community Development; Loaves and Fishes; Montavilla Farmers Market; Multnomah County Health Department; Native American Youth and Families Center; New Seasons Market; Oregon Food Bank; Oregon State University Extension Service; Portland Farmers Market; Portland Permaculture Guild; Portland Public Schools: Portland State University Institute of Metropolitan Studies; ReCode Oregon; The Dirt; Transition PDX; Upstream Public Health; Village Gardens, Janus Youth Programs, Inc.; Whole Foods

 For more information email us at multnomahfood@multco.us or contact Katie Lynd, Community Food Policy Coordinator, in the Office of Sustainability at 503-988-6150.

 Funded in part by the US Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with Multnomah County.