OUR WORK
We Support a Strong Local Food System
Together we make up the food policy council. We engage communities to identify gaps and barriers in the local food system, implement strategies and track progress.
Food Access
Ensuring everyone who lives, works or plays in the Lehigh Valley has access to fresh, healthy food. Our work group addresses: healthy meals for kids in school, after school and during the summer; college hunger; SNAP; farmer’s markets programs; senior healthy food access; family food security, and community resources for healthy food. The work group provides marketing tool kits for many programs.
Food Respect & Recovery
Educating, training, and advocating for the respectful use of our resources in our food system and reducing food waste. Americans waste about 40% of all food grown and each family throws away about $1,400 of food in a year! Our work group: encourages better use of our resources; provides assistance to local food recovery groups; advises the college Food Recovery Network chapters; supports Plant A Row LV; and offers technical assistance to the community.
Urban Farms & Community Gardens
Encouraging resourceful green spaces to grow sustainable food, build communities, and build food sovereignty. Our Urban Farms & Community Gardens network: provides garden opportunities and education to individuals; supports food security and healthy food access for the community; and promotes opportunities for food sovereignty. LVFPC provides umbrella membership in the American Community Garden Association.
Farm to School
Encourages access to nutritious, high quality, local food to kids at all stages of life so they are ready to learn and grow. The Farm to School work group encourages and supports school districts, child care providers, and learning institutions in: partnering with local food providers; participating in PA Farm to School programs; implementing innovative Farm to School initiatives; and joining Farm to School community partners.
Thriving Local Food Economy
Working to address gaps in food aggregation, processing and distribution infrastructure and to improve supply chain logistics in the local food system. We support the work of local government, economic development agencies, and other entities as they seek to expand the capacity and potential of businesses within the local food system.
Kids Eat Free LV
Advocating for access to child nutrition programs for every eligible child in the Lehigh Valley. This task force leverages the strength of our community partners, school districts, and funders to provide a safe space and programs for summer and after-school meals to income-eligible children. The task force provides: networking and collaboration opportunities; technical assistance and training; data analysis and evaluation; reporting and community planning; and marketing assistance.
Collective Impact
See how our work groups have positively affected the community.