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Food Policy Councils: Building Civic Engagement and Community Well-Being book cover

1st Edition

Food Policy Councils Building Civic Engagement and Community Well-Being

By Nessa J. Richman Copyright 2026
202 Pages 33 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

202 Pages 33 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This book explains how Food Policy Councils solve critical food systems problems by creating just and resilient ways of producing, harvesting, manufacturing, distributing, and consuming food and managing food waste, using methods that encourage civic engagement and strengthen democratic processes.   Although there are over 300 Food Policy Councils operating all across the United States, and... Read more
1. Introduction 2. History of Food Policy Councils 3. Food Policy Councils as a Key to Broad Civic Engagement 4. Starting a Food Policy Council 5. Building a “Backbone Network” 6. Making an Impact: Food Access & Nutrition Security 7. Making an Impact: Food Business & Economic Development 8. Making an Impact: Food, Climate, and Environment 9. Effective Fundraising Strategies 10. Food Finance: New Partners for Infrastructure Development 11. Evaluation: Understanding the Impact of a Network 12. Structural Inequalities and Food System Change 13. Equity in Food Policy Councils 14. Conclusion

Biography

Nessa Richman is Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC), an independent statewide network of food system stakeholder sharing a mission to create a more just and resilient food system in the Ocean State.

  1. “Food policy councils are among the best tools for cities, neighborhoods, and people to take greater control of the food that’s grown, processed, cooked, eaten, and made available in our communities. Here, Nessa Richman shows how to help food policy councils become even greater engines for change in our food system, and even in our democracy.”

 

– Mark Bittman, Author of Animal, Vegetable, Junk.

 

2. “Food Policy Councils is essential reading for anyone who wants to effectively advocate for food systems change.  It explains how food council advocacy can help build community while working toward needed changes.  Best, it takes readers step-by-step through everything required to set goals, recruit allies, and conduct successful campaigns.  It’s a treasure!

 

--Marion Nestle, Professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health emerita, NYU, and author most recently of What to Eat Now.”

 

3. “Food Policy Councils is a must-read for anyone who believes in and desires a more just and equitable food system. Nessa Richman writes of the power of food policy councils to inspire civic participation, and move policy toward an economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable world. One that ensures food access, nutrition security, economic opportunity, and health benefits for all people is one that all of us who love food should aspire to. Following her vision and roadmap would put those goals well within reach. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes in, and desires, actionable food system change.”

- Jacques Pepin, Chef, author, culinary educator, television personality, and artist.

 

4. “Here is a compelling and encouraging roadmap to our viable future. The lessons learned, the clarity offered, and the evidence presented apply to all critical issues. It is proof positive that whatever the problem, community is the answer.  I am very grateful for this book.”

 

- Margaret Wheatley, author of many books, from Leadership and the New Science (1992) to Restoring Sanity (2024).

 

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