Our Approach
Our History
The New Orleans Food Policy Council (New Orleans FPC) was established in 2007 as theNew Orleans Food Policy Advisory Committee after local food leaders convened to address the city's need for fresh, healthy food. Since then, we have hosted events to educate the public on the importance of local food, piloted the states first Farm to ECE program, released a survey of findings on the needs of local food businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, and worked alongside farmers, producers, and food advocates to push state and federal legislation…
New Orleans FPC has added to the body of research on the state of the city's food system through reports such as “Stepping Up to the Plate” (FPC, 2009), a report on school food and “Policy Matters” (FPC, 2017) which analyzes food policy gaps. In 2008 with support from Tulane Prevention Research Center, New Orleans FPC drafted the report, "Building Healthy Communities" which recommended strategies to improve access to fresh food, resulting in the $14 million Fresh Food Retailer Initiative in 2011.
In 2020, New Orleans FPC became a 501(c)(3) organization, operationalizing and expanding the capacity of our work on urban agriculture, local food procurement, and policy advocacy.
In the summer of 2023 through Resolution 23-226, FPC became the official advisory body to the City Council on matters of food and agriculture. FPC has collaborated with city government by creating a City Food Specialist within the New Orleans Health Department and an Urban Agriculture Liaison within the Office of Resilience and Sustainability, enhancing collaboration between nonprofits and city agencies.
In 2024, FPC launched its statewide initiative, the Louisiana Food Policy Council (LA FPC).
Our Mission
The Louisiana Food Policy Council and its chapters shape public policy to improve equity, opportunity, and collaboration in our local food system.
Our Vision
We envision a sustainable, culturally appropriate food system that enables all Louisiana residents to live healthier, more resilient lives.
Our Values
Equity
Our work is done through a lens of racial justice, which is defined as the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all.
Sustainability
Our work will help meet current needs while ensuring that future generations have opportunities equivalent to or greater than those we have now to participate in a healthy food system.
Health
We believe in the overall quality of life for everyone and the right to a healthy mind, body, community, and environment.
Evidence-based
Our work will be guided by research and data and will benefit from what others are doing and have done in the field, seeking out best practices locally, nationally, and from around the globe. We will continuously evaluate and make improvements to our work to be sure it is effective and just.
Economic Opportunity
Everyone should have equal opportunity to support themselves and their families.
Collaboration
FPAC shall involve the community at all levels of our work in order to ensure our work is needed, beneficial, and reflective of the community in which we live and serve. We will also collaborate with other organizations, recognizing that the food system is multifaceted and interrelated and work being done by any affects all.
Our Staff
Brynn Commeaux
Communications Manager, New Orleans
Marguerite Green
Statewide Director, Louisiana
Devin Wright
Policy and Research Manager, Louisiana
Luke Felty
Food Access Specialist, New Orleans
Jessica McNally
Farm to ECE Manager, New Orleans
Samantha Fleurinor
Regional Director, New Orleans
Elisa Muñoz
Director of Development and Strategy, Louisiana
Our Board and Steering Committee
Angelina Harrison
Anne Jayes
Bahia Nightengale
Chelsea Morgan
Cindy George
Crystal Besse
Darlene Rowland
Emily Chastain
Erica Williams
Dr. Jasmine Ratliff
Jeanie Donovan
Kasey Shy
Kelli Rogers
Dr. Keelia O'Malley
Kristi Mellon
Lauren (LJ) Jones
Lindsey Hendrix
Lupe LaMadrid
Marleah Walker
Mary Pritchard
Megan Knapp
Nicole Johnson
Sara Trahan
Sissy Phlager
Taylor Bonds
Our Chapters & Getting Involved
At this time, the New Orleans Food Policy Council is the flagship and only local chapter in the Louisiana Food Policy Council.
Louisiana FPC exists to boost collaboration and participation in food policy throughout the state. If there is great interest i your region, we invite you to consider becoming another chapter. Below are the indications that you might be ready for a chapter of your own.
10+ people in your community collectively want to work on food, agriculture, hunger, and fisheries in a sustained way.
You have a campaign idea or something you want to change in your region.
You have an organization or group that can support the work such as scheduling meetings or providing meeting space (ie. a church, non-profit, food pantry, farm, etc).
You want to engage in city, parish, state or federal advocacy.
Reach out to margee@louisianafoodpolicy.org to get started. If you’re not ready to start a chapter but would like to get involved, please join us for our statewide meetings. Your voice and passion are welcome.
