Jacksonville Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition launches new initiative with formation of Jacksonville Food Policy Council

This September, the Healthy Jacksonville Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (HJCPOC) launched its newest initiative in the fight against childhood obesity in front of nearly 80 community members. The Food Policy Subcommittee of the HJCOPC led by Karen Rieley, vice president for advancement at Second Harvest North Florida, is funded through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities grant. The newly formed Food Policy Council (FPC) will bring together stakeholders from diverse food-related sectors to examine how the food system is operating and to develop recommendations on how to improve it for the benefit of our community.

With more than 27 percent of Duval County residents facing food insecurities and two-thirds of adult residents being classified as overweight and obese, Jacksonville’s food system faces a diverse set of challenges. Members of the FPC will convene to establish an agenda based on input from attendees at the orientation meeting. With just a few months left before Jacksonville’s elected officials meet in Tallahassee for the new legislative session, members of the FPC will play an important role in shaping the future of the state’s access to healthy and affordable food. 

Food policy councils across the nation take on different roles to suit the needs of each community. In addition to developing a policy agenda, the council will host a series of information seminars to discuss the successes and challenges that face our food system in North Florida.

“We are at a cross roads in our community,” said Rieley. “Now more than ever, our community has an opportunity to unite behind one voice and affect change that will make a lasting difference in the way we live in Jacksonville.”

Want to know more? View the presentation below and make your voice heard by signing up to participate on the Council. 

Pictured: Karen Rieley, vice president of advancement at Second Harvest North Florida