Plan Overview
Plan Information
| Category | Database entry |
| Plan Region | Washington |
| Publication Date | 2017 |
| Entry reviewed by original author | No |
| PDF attachment | View Full Report |
| Plan Title | A 25 Year Vision for Washington State’s Food System |
| Webpage | http://wafoodsystem.weebly.com/food-system-prospectus.html |
| Author(s) | Washington State Food System Roundtable (public-private partnership: http://wafoodsystem.weebly.com/history.html) |
| Author Type | Partnership; Government |
| Region Type | State |
| Funding Sources | Non-profit organization/entities; Individual Donors; State Government; Foundations |
| Funders | Food Action (formerly Washington State Food and Farming Network);Food Action (formerly Washington State Food and Farming Network);Tim Crosby, Slow Money NW;Jean Johnson;Pete Miller;Empire Health Foundation;US Department of Agriculture Snap Ed.;and in-kind support from many |
| Total Project Budget | Unspecified |
| Plan Goals | The plan envisions a Washington state food system that (p. 6): 1. Promotes the health of people;2. Is economically vibrant;3. Fosters a sustainable, resilient environment; and4. Creates a more equitable and just society. To achieve this vision, the Roundtable outlines four areas (people, environment, economy, and equity) to work towards their goal, where “a just and equitable food system can be secured for all Washingtonians, regardless of gender, age, socioeconomic status, disability, language, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs andgeography” (p. 7). Thirteen overarching goals are divided among three action areas: People1. Everyone has nutritious food at all times.2. Everyone can choose and afford culturally appropriate, healthy food and drinks.3. Food is safe for consumers to eat4. The dignity, safety and quality of life for all workers in the food system are upheld. Environment5. Soil, air, water and biodiversity are protected and restored for future generations.6. Land and water are used, accessible, and conserved for food production, fishing, hunting and foraging for future generations.7. Prevent, reduce, reuse, and recycle to move toward zero waste throughout the food chain.8. The food supply chain incorporates renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation opportunities into the growing, processing and transport of food.9. The food system minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and adapts practices to mitigate current and future climate change impacts. Economy10. Emerging and existing farming operations are economically viable.11. Significantly increase in-state and regional demand for Washington grown food.12. All scales of production, processing and markets have equitable access to resources, infrastructure and business assistance to thrive.13. Washington’s food economy, as an industry leader, is innovative, successful and just. |
| Intended Audience | Full food system network |
| Plan Recommendation Structure | This prospectus includes 3 action areas (people, environment, economy). Each action area has 4-5 goals (13 total) (see “Plan goals” above). For each goal, the plan provides strategies and sub-strategies (including short-term and long-term). Additional examples of “tactics” for each goal are provided as Appendix A (p. 29). |
| Catalyst for Plan | The 25-Year Vision was catalyzed in part by Former Governor Christine Gregoire’s 2010 “Executive Order directing state agencies to examine state food policy, food-related programs and food-related issues” (p. 1). The report, completed in 2012, made a final recommendation to form the Washington Food Policy Roundtable. Then-Governor Gregoire approved the recommendation and tasked the newly-formed Roundtable to “Develop and ensure stewardship of a 25-year vision, including specific goals and actionable strategies” (p. 1). |
| Creation Process | The Washington Food Policy Council was formed with the specific goal of creating and implementing the plan. As such, the Roundtable established a governance structure specifically designed to be representative and democratic of the state’s unique food system (see Appendix B (p. 39) for the Roundtable’s charter and membership structure). The development process of the plan “included research by consultants, university faculty and graduate students, and input from a variety of interests through a statewide engagement process” (p. 2). Starting in 2015, the Roundtable engaged in an iterative engagement and feedback process. Key community engagement activities are laid out on p. 23-24 of the Prospectus: – From Summer 2015 to Winter 2016, the Roundtable solicited recommended visions, goals, and recommendations from nine local and regional Washington food policy councils and their members. – In Fall 2016, the Roundtable wrote a draft of the plan to begin soliciting broader feedback, which was done via 10 engagement events across the state, an online survey, social media, e-newsletters, and their website. |
| Theoretical Framework(s) Employed | N/A |
| Theoretical Framework(s): Additional Literature | Unspecified |
| Development Timeline | 5 years of development, 1 year of of writing |
| Implementation Strategy | The WA Food Policy Roundtable was not designed to be an implementing body. However, the plan recommends “the creation of a temporary transition team involving a few members of the Roundtable along with non-Roundtable members to lay the groundwork for” implementation (p. 25). Additionally, the plan identifies three “Potential Stewardship Roles” and estimates budgets for each of these positions to be filled (p. 26): A Convener of Local and Regional Food Policy Groups; A “Big Picture/Think Tank” role; and an Advocacy role. |
| Implementation Timeline | 25 years |
| Evaluation Strategy | Unspecified |
| International Development Framework(s) | None |
| Current Plan Status | Inactive; Update in progress |
| Government Adoption Status | Unknown |
| Government Adoption Status (notes) | N/A |
| Supplemental Documents | View Supplemental Documents |