The Wichita City Council has voted unanimously to create a Wichita-Sedgwick County Food and Farm Council to help direct the implementation of a food system master plan that was adopted earlier this year by the city and the county.
The master plan will look at production, distribution and availability of food in the community and work to address issues with “food deserts” where neighborhoods don’t have convenient access to food. The plan was created in a partnership with the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita.
The Food and Farm Council will serve as an advisory board to the city and county on food system issues, and it will have 14 members. Wichita Vice Mayor Becky Tuttle said the creation of the council and the food system master plan will be a game changer in addressing food deserts in the community.
There are 322 Food Policy Councils in cities and towns across the U.S. and there are 30 such councils in Kansas, including Harvey County, Kansas City and Douglas County.
Sedgwick County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the creation of the Food and Farm Council during their regular meeting on Wednesday. The City Council and the County Commission will each appoint seven members who have expertise in food production and distribution, as well as health, workforce development and natural resources.
