The Policymaker Summit engaged 40 regional policymakers in a conversation around opportunities for sustainable economic development through the food system in support of a healthier, more resilient Western NY. Policymakers also met with the newly seated Food Policy Council of Buffalo and Erie County.

Image (below): Food Policy Council of Buffalo and Erie County

The summit sessions featured the following topics:

1.      Promoting economic development through entrepreneurial responses to food
insecurity with assistance by food policy councils (focus on healthy food retail).

2.      Supporting entrepreneurial responses to food insecurity with a focus on city-led
programs and policies, This session will also discuss the role of philanthropy in creating systemic policy change.

3.      Introduction of the newly seated Food Policy Council and open discussion with
policymakers and experts.

A brief overview of the event

Opening remarks by Ellen E. Grant, PhD, LCSW-R, Deputy Mayor

Remarks and introduction of the Food Policy Council by Gail Burstein, MD, Commissioner of Health – Erie County Dept. of Health

Keynote address by Wayne Roberts, PhD – International expert on Food Policy and Food Policy Councils

Moderated by Samina Raja, PhD – School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo

Panel experts include:

Stephanie Borden, MPH, Senior Associate – PolicyLink

Amy Klein, Executive Director – Capital District Community Gardens

Joanne Lee, Senior Project Officer – Active Living By Design (ALBD), a National Program Office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Bart Roberts, AICP, Policy Associate- University at Buffalo Regional Institute

John M. Fell, AICP, Senior Planner – City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning

See photos from the event here.