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About the Southcoast Food Policy Council

Formally known as the Southeastern Massachusetts Food Security Network (FSN), the Marion Institute’s Southcoast Food Policy Council (SFPC) is a coalition of food pantries, farms, foundations, and social service agencies working together to promote local food security: “a situation in which all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance and social justice.”

A Short History

The Southeastern Massachusetts Food Security Network (FSN) was formed in 2011 to address food security issues in our region, including emergency food access and distribution, nutrition education, and local sustainable agriculture. The Network provides a space for participants to collaborate, share, and match goals and expertise. We build on the strengths of each partner to effectively support a diverse and healthy local food system.

In 2018, FSN transitioned into a Food Policy Council to fill a much needed gap in our region. To strengthen this work, in January 2020 the FSN announced that it would become an official program of The Marion Institute (MI). The MI has been a core member of the FSN since the very beginning of its formation and has been a strategic partner since the start, as The FSN fiscal sponsor. Hence, it is a natural progression for the Food Policy Council to be housed within our organization given our work toward increasing food security throughout the region.

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 want to be focused, transparent, and effective coalition.
  • 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.
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