The Orange County Food Council (OCFC) is helping grow a local food system that ensures health, sustainable agriculture, a thriving local food economy and access for all. The Council’s work is in building partnerships, identifying issues, and coordinating action. This is a unique model that brings together all the many interests in the food system to solve community problems.
The best way to get involved is to join one of our 3 workgroups: Food Access, Local Food Economy and Food Waste Rescue. Our workgroups meet monthly to coordinate actions and cultivate communities of practice. We encourage anyone who is interested in getting involved with our food system work to attend a meeting. Working groups of the OCFC are community driven and volunteer led. Workgroups are empowered to form strategic plans, make consensus-based decisions with participating members, and provide recommendations and guidance to the 15 member coordinating council. Workgroups must operate under the values and mission of the Orange County Food Council.
Monthly meeting details for each workgroup are posted on the Orange County Food Council Facebook page. To find out more, please contact us at ocfoodcouncil@gmail.com.
In addition to the workgroups, the OCFC has a 15 person coordinating council that is responsible for supporting workgroup goals and working directly with the Food Council Coordinator. The coordinating council requires members to sit for a 3-year term. New members are recruited annually in the spring to fill vacant seats. Anyone who works or lives in Orange County and is interested in the food system is invited to apply. We have special interest and need for members with a connection to food entrepreneurs and chefs, faith-based organizations, food access, environmental stewardship, local food supply chain, waste management, and city planning. We seek a council that is diverse in race, gender, age, socio-economic status, and geographic location within the county.
The coordinating council meets the first Monday of each month from 4:30-6:30pm. Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to join. The meeting location alternates between Hillsborough and the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area.
For questions about our workgroups or coordinating council, please contact us at ocfoodcouncil@gmail.com
Workgroups are the best way to get involved.
Join one of our 3 workgroups: Food Access, Local Food Economy and Food Waste Rescue. Our workgroups meet monthly to coordinate actions and cultivate communities of practice. We encourage anyone who is interested in getting involved with our food system work to attend a meeting.
Currently, the OCFC has three active community working groups that meet regularly: Food Access, Local Food Economy, and Waste Rescue. The workgroups are driven by a diverse group of community members including chefs, direct service providers, farmers, small business owners, local government, faith leaders, educators, students and researchers.
Food Access
The Food Access Workgroup is a group of Orange County residents committed to ensuring that ALL have access to healthy, affordable, local food and an equal voice in the local food community. Food Access meets monthly at Rogers Road Community Center. The group alternates between the second and third Thursday of the month from 6-7:30pm. All are welcome to join these regular meetings at anytime.
Food Economy
The Local Food Economy Workgroup is a group of Orange County residents committed to supporting local farmers, farmworkers, and food entrepreneurs with an emphasis on building culturally diverse food businesses. Local Food Economy meets monthly in Hillsborough. The group alternates between the second and third Tuesday of the month from 5:30-7pm. Meeting locations are determined a month in advance.
Waste Rescue
The Waste Rescue Workgroup is a group of Orange County residents committed to educating and empowering the greater Triangle community to reimagine waste utilization and reduce food waste. Waste Rescue meets every third Tuesday of the month from 9-10:30 am in Hillsborough.
For information about when and where these workgroups meet, follow us on Facebook or contact our coordinator at ocfoodcouncil@gmail.com.
Join Us!
Our Meetings are Open to the Public.
Since the first gatherings in 2014, the opportunity for community input has continued. Our action plan and workgroup initiatives have grown out of the baseline food assessment, community forums, listening sessions, monthly workgroup meetings and community partnerships. We consider what our community needs to thrive, as well as the many food-related challenges and opportunities our region faces. At our meetings, members exchange ideas and information while connecting with leading voices in the local food scene.
Workgroup and Food Council meetings are open to the public. The Food Council meets the first Monday of every month from 4:30-6:30pm. Community members and guest are welcome to join the council’s meeting for the first hour. The Food Council’s meeting location alternates between the northern and southern parts of the County. To find out when the next Council or Workgroup meeting is, please contact our coordinator at ocfoodcouncil@gmail.com
