2019 Food Security Plan Community Update

The Montgomery County Food Council (MCFC) and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services co-hosted a successful Food Security Plan Community Update on Friday, June 28th, attended by nearly 100 food security stakeholders and community partners. The event featured a welcome from MCFC Board Chair Sharon Feuer Gruber, a greeting from County Executive Marc Elrich, as well as presentations from Dr. Travis Gayles, Montgomery County Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services, Amanda Nesher, the MCFC Food Security Programs Manager, Rhona Reiss, MCFC Food Security Plan Community Advisory Board Member, and Thomas Tippett, Performance Management Analyst at CountyStat.

Presenters shared an update on the Food Security Plan implementation efforts to date, new data accessible through FoodStat and the impact of FoodStat on Food Assistance Services in the County, recent policy and advocacy efforts related to food security at the County and State level, and next steps for addressing the recommendations in Years 3, 4, and 5 of the Plan. The event also included a panel discussion on “Implementing Food Security Plan Recommendations: Opportunities & Challenges.” This panel covered a variety of topics, including expanding access to benefits programs, increasing the availability of culturally appropriate food, combatting food insecurity amongst college students, and expanding food recovery efforts.

Please click to view the presentation slides and the handout presented at the Update (the FoodStat interactive data tool can be accessed here). In addition, MyMCMedia produced a Spanish-language segment about the event which can be found here.

If you or your organization is interested in learning more about the Food Security Plan or the Food Council’s work related to food recovery and access, please contact Amanda Nesher at anesher@mocofoodcouncil.org. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Mar 28

Resident and Community Gardening Collaborative

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Mar 28

RainScape Your Yard: Two Part Series

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Apr 3

Food Waste Prevention Working Group Happy Hour

April 3rd 4-6 at 7pm at Locks Brewing in collaboration with Manna Food and Compost Crew! 

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Apr 10

Empowering MD Businesses: A Lunchtime Dive into Commerce Support

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Apr 11

Statewide Trainings for Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture today announced it will host its first round of trainings throughout the state for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program provides fresh, unprepared, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to WIC and Senior participants and expands the awareness, use, and sales of such products at farmers markets.

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Apr 14

TPSS EARTH DAY: POWER TO THE PLANET

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Apr 16

How to Do Business with Montgomery County (Webinar)

Learn how to do business with Montgomery County! Hosted quarterly with Montgomery County Office of Procurement.

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Apr 22

SSL Earth Day Opportunity

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Apr 23

Speed Meet: Virtual Business Networking Event for Montgomery County

Join this speed-dating style mixer on Zoom and meet other entrepreneurs in Montgomery County (though all are welcome)!

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Apr 25

Equitable Land Access Working Group Meeting

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Apr 27

Montgomery County Green Fest

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