Gleaning programs, food security discussed at Nov. NYS Food Policy Council

Gleaning programs and food security were among the topics discussed at the November 2011 NYS Food Policy Council Meeting.

A couple highlights from the meeting minutes:

*Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Associate Dean Michael Hoffman presented the results of a study conducted on gleaning. Concerns about farmer liability and need for ‘match-making’ from cooperative extension need attention to improve current efforts, according to the report, which included seven current gleaning programs. The full report can be found online.

*Diane Albrecht, of the Food and Health Network of South Central New York gave a presentation on that organization’s 2011 Regional Food System Assessment, available at www.foodandhealthnetwork.org

*Jim Manning, of the Oneida Cornell Cooperative Extension, presented the Mohawk Valley Food Policy Action Network, which aims to develop a higher level of food security in the region, more info available at www.mvfoodaction.com

*New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine spoke on the Federal Farm Bill. He noted that the Department of Agriculture and Markets is a actively engaged with other states on the Federal Farm Bill. Believes that the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture have achieved a 85-95% consensus on agriculture policy. A letter on this agreement was sent to Washington.