Food Security Initiative

About the Program

Category: Planning (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Franklin County Food Security Initiative is the product of a jointly developed Local Food Plan with the City of Columbus and Local Matters, which partners with healthcare providers to offer healthful food education to the public. From 2010 – 2016 Franklin County has invested $650,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds into the initiative specifically funding four programs: the Franklin Park Conservatory’s Community Garden Project; the Children’s Hunger Alliance Summer Meal Program; LifeCare Alliance’s Open-Hand Program; and United Way of Central Ohio’s Fresh Food Initiative. Over the past year, the four funded programs have helped to provide nearly 100,000 meals to those in need within Franklin County. Further with the additional community gardens being formed this year, more fresh and locally grown food will be provided to both food banks and residents in need. One of the larger gardens, the International Harvest Garden, donated over 2,000 pounds of food to local food banks. From this cooperation, the City of Columbus and Franklin County launched development of the Columbus & Franklin County Local Food Action Plan in 2014. The plan was led by a Project Team consisting of representatives from Franklin County Economic Development and Planning, Columbus Public Health and Local Matters. The project team was supported by a 24 member working committee consisting of various community partners. Finally, over 1,200 residents provided input for the plan. Franklin County and the City of Columbus both adopted the plan in November 2016 and upon adoption, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners established a Local Food Board to oversee, prioritize and guide implementation efforts.