Food & Agriculture Policy Collaborative Report

The Food and Agriculture Collaborative, funded through the national Convergence Partnership, works closely with local partners to advance healthy food production, supply chains, and consumer access and equity priorities. Through this partnership with the Food Research Action Center (FRAC), National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), and PolicyLink, Fair Food Network has succeeded in increasing understanding of the components of healthy and fair food systems.

The 2014 Farm Bill provided communities tools to improve access to healthy, affordable food while also stimulating local economic activity.  This Building Healthy Communities guide provides practical and actionable information about USDA programs you can use to develop strong projects.  The Guide explains how USDA food policy and programs fit together and collectively can:

• Protect and strengthen the structure, eligibility rules and benefit levels in the SNAP program
• Start and increase produce incentive programs for SNAP participants
• Build and improve healthy food stores and supply chains through Healthy Food Financing Initiatives
• Strengthen marketing opportunities and supply chain infrastructure that connects growers and eaters

The Convergence Partnership is a collaborative of national foundations and health care institutions catalyzing joint investments and action to advance equitable policies and practices at the federal, regional and local level.