Who We Are

Southcoast Food Policy Council (SFPC), a program of the Marion Institute, is dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive regional food system that strengthens community health and eliminates food insecurity. Launched in 2020, the SFPC fosters collaboration among local food producers, consumers, and community partners to develop policies and initiatives that address critical food-related challenges in Southeastern Massachusetts.

The SFPC released the 2021 Food System Assessment of Southeastern, MA. Upon completion of this report, the SFPC recruited, trained, and formed a 30-member Community Advisory Board, and established four key working groups: Education & Communication, Food Access, Capacity Building, and Food Policy. These groups lead initiatives such as public education campaigns, regional gleaning programs, farm-to-school advocacy, and the development of local food infrastructure. The SFPC also champions legislative efforts to expand food access, promote agricultural equity, and support local food producers through our legislative priorities.

The SFPC is actively developing and fundraising for the “FarmCoast Documentary”, a powerful storytelling initiative that will bring our regional food system to life. By capturing the challenges and triumphs of our region’s food movement, we aim to inspire action, deepen connections, and drive meaningful change.

By mobilizing stakeholders, advancing policy solutions, and investing in food system resilience, the SFPC is shaping a future where healthy, local food is accessible to all.

Mission

Our mission is to connect, convene, and advocate for local food producers, consumers, and community leaders who seek policy and systems that strengthen our regional food system, improve community health, and eliminate food insecurity.

Vision

We envision a thriving, inclusive, and culturally-diverse regional food system in which we all benefit from healthful, accessible, and affordable foods.

Values

• We are committed to building a focused, transparent, and effective coalition by setting clear goals, fostering open communication, and driving impactful action.
• We want this coalition to be representative of the community it serves, particularly in terms of cultural and racial diversity.
• We value and will seek out information, ideas, and inspiration from peer organizations around the state, the country, and the world.
• We believe that the more people know about nutrition, food systems, and the local economy, the more they will consume local foods.