The deadline to complete the SCFPC Member Survey has been extended to Friday, October 1st. During previous quarterly membership meetings, we have discussed creating a variety of food system-related committees that would meet periodically and report back to the Board and full membership. Your participation will help us more effectively convene and coordinate membership around substantive areas in the food system as we work towards forming a robust policy platform for the state of South Carolina. We will share the survey results at our next quarterly membership meeting on October 16. Survey link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGPhRH9wqHhbzYJpiLCtCQE7QKJAHtgaZdGV3Pzeho2DdIOA/viewform?usp=sf_link |
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SCFPC Quarterly General Membership Meeting on October 26 from 1-2:30pm |
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Be sure to sign up for the Quarterly General Membership Meeting taking place virtually on Tuesday, October 26th from 1-2:30pm. As a member, we would ask that in the coming days you take a few minutes to reach out to at least one other person to invite them to become a member of SCFPC and attend the next quarterly meeting. |
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Columbia FPC College Food Insecurity Subcommittee Member Testifies at Congressional Roundtable |
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Dr. Joseph Ray, member of the Columbia FPC College Food Insecurity Subcommittee and the Acting Director of Counseling and Placement at Allen University, testified at a congressional roundtable examining hunger across college campuses held by the House Committee on Rules. The roundtable, which took place on September 8th, is the eighth in a series of committee events highlighting the reality of food insecurity in America. |
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“Hunger impacts virtually every college campus in America today, regardless of whether it is located in a wealthy neighborhood or a small town. It is estimated that as many as 59 percent of college students will confront food insecurity at some point, threatening their ability to graduate and achieve their professional goals. As back to school season kicks off, now is the time for this important discussion as the committee works to end hunger and encourage the White House to hold a hunger conference,” said House Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA). In his testimony, Dr. Ray discussed the work of the Columbia FPC College Food Insecurity Subcommittee as well as efforts to address food insecurity at Allen University. A video of Dr. Ray's testimony is available on the committee website. |
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Introduction to Grants Workshop |
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021 2PM - 5PM Interested in applying for grants but just don’t know where to begin? Join us for an informative workshop that will set you up for success when applying for grants and hear from experts in the field. The workshop will provide an overview of the following: Finding opportunities | State and federal programs | Applying to DUNS and SAM Registering with Grants.gov | Planning and writing your application Understanding the reporting requirements Click here to sign-up for the webinar |
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American Rescue Plan Update |
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The coming weeks will bring an incredible opportunity for strengthening local food systems as the S.C. General Assembly begins debating the use of remaining American Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief funds. In a big policy win, the S.C. Department of Agriculture has recommended that the Governor and legislature include $20 million to create an infrastructure grant program for local food supply chains, which would include food hubs, meat processors, addressing of food deserts and more. Another $4 million has been requested for consumer advertising of South Carolina-grown agricultural goods, including promotion of farmers markets and food hubs. |
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Funding has often been a difficulty in building local, resilient food systems, and this injection of capital would make a huge difference. Now is the time to reach out to your elected officials and let them know that the agriculture funding must be included in their final appropriations. Reach out to me at matt@carolinafarmstewards.org if you'd like to help with more targeted advocacy! |
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Food is Medicine South Carolina The newly formed committee of the SC Food Policy Council continues to set goals and objectives for integrating healthy food access policy, systems, and environmental strategies in the health care system statewide. The committee will be taking part in a one-day retreat, led by Harvard Law School’s Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, on October 14, 2021. For more information about the committee, including how to join, contact Amy Weaver at teixeira@mailbox.sc.edu. |
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SC State awarded $750,000 grant to cultivate beginning farmers in SC WLTX - SC State's 1890 Research & Extension program will assist disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and veterans with starting their own agriculture business in SC. For more information about the programs offered to assist small farmers, contact Dr. Joshua Idassi, state program leader for sustainable agriculture and natural resources, at jidassi@scsu.edu. USDA Announces Intent to Establish an Equity Commission, Solicits Nominations for Membership USDA Press Release, September 24, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it will establish an Equity Commission and is requesting nominations for membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture. Nomination for the Equity Commission and the Subcommittee on Agriculture membership is open to the public and any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for membership. The Equity Commission and the Subcommittee on Agriculture will each be comprised of 15 members. The Deputy and the Secretary will designate a Co-Chair to serve along with the Deputy Secretary as co-chairs of the Equity Commission. Click here to read the full press release. We encourage nominations from South Carolina! |
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Send us your News, Updates, and Stories! |
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Do you have interesting news, updates, or stories to share? SCFPC is seeking contributions from members to feature in our quarterly newsletter. Please send any news, updates, or stories that you would like to be considered for inclusion in the next quarterly newsletter to scfoodpolicycouncil@gmail.com. |
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