Plan Overview
Plan Information
| Category | Database entry |
| Plan Region | Maryland |
| Publication Date | 2018 |
| Entry reviewed by original author | Yes |
| PDF attachment | View Full Report |
| Plan Title | Maryland Food Charter |
| Webpage | https://www.institutephi.org/our-work-in-action/policy-health-systems-improvement/maryland-food-charter-project/ |
| Author(s) | Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) |
| Author Type | Non-Profit |
| Region Type | State |
| Funding Sources | Foundations |
| Funders | Town Creek Foundation |
| Total Project Budget | $160,000 |
| Plan Goals | The three key goals of the plan’s creation:”1. A more coordinated and efficient state food system.2. Collaborative relationships fostered between food system sectors and stakeholders.3. Equity, inclusiveness, and resilience woven throughout the system.” (p. 5) The purpose of the charter:”- Educate and inform policymakers of statewide priorities- Leverage and target resources- Garner political will to support food policy issues- Engage new and existing food system stakeholders” (p. 6). |
| Intended Audience | Policymakers, general public, food systems actors, funders |
| Plan Recommendation Structure | 6 categories, each with recommendations that include sub-tactics. Categories are organized around area of the supply chain. |
| Catalyst for Plan | IPHI hosted a meeting with local FPCs in 2014 and identified a need for network-building toward state-level policy change (p. 2 of Summary of Public Input document). |
| Creation Process | From p. 12-17: 1. IPHI formed an Advisory Committee 2. IPHI conducted key research & “Phase 1” stakeholder engagement (2015): – Conducted an “environmental scan” and reviewed 18 other charters/food systems plans- Conducted 50+ expert interviews- Released online survey focusing on collective action (167 responses)- Regional convenings with food policy councils/coalitions (70+ stakeholders) to identify goals and priorities- Findings were published in a Summary of Public Input report (attached) 3. Using input, IPHI drafted a vision statement. 4. IPHI hosted a state-wide Maryland Food Summit (2015). 5. “Phase 2” engagement with key systems players towards more targeted alignment:- Hosted a Baltimore “Food System Tour,” 44 food systems stakeholders attended- Meetings with 33 legislators and staff; 24 non-profit organizations; 3 health institutions; 3 academic institutions; and 16 government committees.- Also aligned their work with the parallel Policy Scan undergone by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future (attached) |
| Theoretical Framework(s) Employed | Systems Thinking |
| Theoretical Framework(s): Additional Literature | “Whole Measure for Community Food Systems” by Center for Whole Communities (2009) |
| Development Timeline | 3 years |
| Implementation Strategy | Unspecified, but some recommendations focus on the implementation of the goals, such as: securing funding, developing an action plan, encouraging coordination, assessing alignment of policies, engaging awareness, and creating a media platform. |
| Implementation Timeline | Unspecified |
| Evaluation Strategy | Unspecified |
| International Development Framework(s) | None |
| Current Plan Status | Inactive |
| Government Adoption Status | Not Adopted |
| Government Adoption Status (Notes) | |
| Supplemental Documents | View Supplemental Documents |