The Case for a Washington Food Policy Forum

Working Toward a Vibrant and Sustainable Statewide Food System

More than 6.6 million people live in Washington State and every day each of us depends on a complex
food system of farmers, processors, distributors and retailers to bring us the food we eat.

What is wrong with our food system?

• The laws affecting food, farms and agriculture are implemented by multiple federal, state and local
agencies creating a complex web of regulatory hurdles for large and small farms alike;
• Harnessing the emerging market for regional food will create jobs in state and generate tax revenue,
but it requires greater coordination and efficiencies among diverse sectors than what we have today;
• Key facts to remember:
o Our farms are diminishing: Washington State loses 70,000 acres of farmland every year, an area
larger than Lake Washington;
o Our farmers are retiring. The average age of our farmer is 57;
o Our food security needs improving: Washington has 288,000 food insecure households and is
ranked 28th in the nation for very low food security with 112,000 households experiencing
hunger, a 24% increase from 2008;
o Our citizens are unhealthy: 61% of Washington adults are either obese or overweight. Many of
Washington’s residents lack access to nutritious affordable food which contributes to high rates
of obesity.
o Our government is forced to subsidize this unhealthy behavior: Washington spends approximately
$2 billion annually on obesity-related, preventable illnesses and premature deaths.

Why do we need a Food Policy Forum? Our food system in Washington State is not working well and we
need to do better. Food Policy Forums or Councils are being established at local & state levels throughout the
country to address the food system challenges. Working across the different sectors of our food system, they
coordinate action among the many stakeholders that can expand production, consumption and access to
Washington-grown foods. Multiple benefits can ensue, including job creation, keeping food dollars and tax revenue
in-state, and improved health based upon improved access to healthy food. It would also position Washington State
to take advantage of new federal dollars that support improved nutrition and food system integration.

What would a Washington Food Policy Forum look like? Substitute Senate Bill 6343 identifies
representatives from 24 different sectors of our food system to work together to advance the following six food
system goals:
• to increase production, sales, and consumption of Washington grown foods;
• to develop and promote programs that bring healthy, Washington grown food to residents by increasing
state purchasing of local food products for schools and public institutions;
• to reduce food insecurity and hunger in the state and ensure that the benefits of a healthy Washington
food system are shared with families at all income levels, and particularly with vulnerable children, the
elderly, people with disabilities and communities of color;
• to develop and promote programs that support healthy nutrition and avoid burdens of obesity and
other diet-related diseases;
• to protect the land and water resources needed for sustained local food production;
• to recruit and retain farmers and ensure an adequate agricultural workforce.

Contacts: Paul Benz, Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State 206-390-4133 pbenz@lcsnw.org
Ellen Gray, WA Sustainable Food & Farming Network 360-336-9694 egray@wsffn.org; wsffn.org
 WASHINGTON FOOD POLICY FORUM ENDORSEMENTS

The Washington Food Policy Forum as established in Substitute Senate Bill 6343 is supported by a broad
array of organizations, community leaders and individuals from farming groups to children’s groups,
public health advocates and anti-hunger organizations.

FOOD AND FARMING COMMUNITY

Abundantly Green Farm- Poulsbo Washington State Farmers Market Association
Alm Hill Gardens - Everson Willowood Farm – Coupeville
Arbor Meadows Farm –Port Orchard Willie Greens Farm - Monroe
Baird Orchards – Ephrata Wilcox Family Farms – Roy
Blue Heron Farm - Rockport Wolftown – Burton
Calyx Sustainable Tourism
Cascade Harvest Coalition
Davidson Commodities – Spokane
Education & Agriculture Together - Wenatchee
Farmers Markets America
PUBLIC HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Finnriver Farm –Chimacum City COMMUNITY
Food Access Coalition for Kittitas County
Futurewise Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition
Good Food Strategies Children’s Alliance
Growing Washington - Bellingham Community Alliance for Global Justice
Harvill Ranch – Deer Park Earth Ministries
J2 Endeavors – Chimacum CIty Healthiest State Campaign, WA Health
JJJ Farm -Kingston Foundation
Kitsap Conservation District Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington
Kitsap Small Farms Team Solid Ground
Let Us Farm - Oakville Tahoma Food Policy Coalition
Main Market Co-op - Spokane Washington State Food and Nutrition Council
Nash’s Organic Produce - Sequim Weston A Price Foundation - Conway Chapter
PCC Natural Markets
PCC Farmland Trust
Pheasant Fields Farm - Silverdale
Red Shed Produce - Twisp
Rural Roots
San Juan Food Co-op
Shorebank Pacific
Skagit Valley Food Coop
Slow Food Skagit
S&S Center for Sustainable Agriculture and
Homestead Farm
South Whidbey Tilth Association
Sowing Seeds Farm - Twisp
Sunny Pine Farm - Twisp
Tilth Producers of Washington
Urban Food Link
Washington Sustainable Food and Farming
Network
Washington Environmental Council