Mayor Mike McGinn
Council President Richard Conlin
City of Seattle celebrates accomplishments on National Food Day
City to continue progress on strengthening access to local and healthy food for all
SEATTLE – Today, Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin and Mayor Mike McGinn announced the launch of a new City food web portal and highlighted City accomplishments that have made it easier to grow, sell and distribute local and healthy food in Seattle and the surrounding region.
“Healthy and locally-produced food should be accessible to everyone,” said Mayor McGinn. “We will continue to look for opportunities to support economic development for local healthy food and to get healthier food to those who need it most.”
“Food Day gives us an opportunity to communicate our accomplishments, while continuing to advance policies and programs that promote local and regional food sustainability and security. There is no better time to continue our strong advocacy for healthy farms, food and communities,” stated Council President Richard Conlin.
In 2008, the Local Food Action Initiative was established by the Seattle City Council. More recently, the City has taken action to meet food-related goals. Here is a partial list of those efforts:
- Adding $2 million to the Parks Levy to expand the City’s P-Patch community garden program and launched a P-Patch strategic planning effort
- Offering business incentives and assistance to increase the amount of healthy food available in corner stores
- Establishing a Regional Food Policy Council at the Puget Sound Regional Council
- Adopting land use code changes supporting community gardens, urban agriculture, farmers markets, and small/mid-sized grocery stores
- Providing locally-grown produce to childcare and senior programs
- Assessing municipal lands and their potential for urban agriculture
- Running the Top Chef Competition teen program, encouraging and supporting community kitchens at community centers
- Supported vending machine guidelines for City-owned facilities that provide healthier food
- Created a Food Systems Coordinator position to support and enhance City policies and programs related to food
In 2012, the City will seek input from the public and stakeholders on their priorities for next steps in supporting the following goals for food in Seattle and beyond:
- Enhance inter-governmental coordination on food system related matters
- Support healthy and sustainable food systems through City policy
- Support Urban Agriculture
- Increase Seattle residents knowledge of local food resources
- Further food-related economic development opportunities
- Reduce Seattle residents’ hunger and increase food security
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council’s website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
