For Immediate Release: Monday, October 24, 2011
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 24, 2011—Montgomery County Councilmember George Leventhal, County Executive Isiah Leggett and representatives of Montgomery County Public Schools today helped the County celebrate the first national “Food Day” by formally announcing that the County will soon have a ‘Food Council.” The Food Council will work toward Food Day’s mission of bringing together residents from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way.
At today’s event at Farmland Elementary School, County Executive Leggett and Councilmember Leventhal introduced Claire Cummings, who has been hired as the coordinator of the County’s first Food Council. Last week, the County Council was briefed on the progress toward forming the Food Council, which will be a privately run and privately funded organization that does not receive government funding.
“I truly believe that Food Day is emblematic of an increasingly aware public consumer,” said Councilmember Leventhal, who chairs the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee “The establishment of the Food Council is essential because it will not only address the nutritional aspects of food, but it will also have a direct impact on agricultural jobs in the County. I look forward to working with the Food Council, traditional farmers and small scale organic farmers in our effort to meet the educational and nutritional needs our residents.”
County Executive Leggett said that programs the County has been working on for decades—including the creation of the County’s Agricultural Reserve that will preserve about one-quarter of County land for agricultural uses—makes creation of a Food Council the right next step.
“The County government is excited to be a partner in the creation of the Montgomery Food Council,” said County Executive Leggett. “With our nationally acclaimed Agricultural Reserve, our tradition of innovation, our talented workforce and our commitment to social justice, Montgomery County can create a healthy and sustainable food system that can be a model for the nation. With diverse stakeholders working together through the Food Council, we can create jobs and strengthen our economy while ensuring a healthy future for all of our residents.”
Formation of the Food Council is in its early stages. An advisory board has been formed and it is intended that the Council will be fully established early in 2012.
“Our advisory board likely will expand between now and the time the Food Council is formed,” said Ms. Cummings. “Throughout the process, we welcome ideas that can help us achieve our goals.”
For more information about the Food Council, Ms. Cummings can be contacted at: info@mocofoodcouncil.org .
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Release ID: 11-214
Media Contact: Neil Greenberger 240-777-7939, Delphine Harriston 240-777-7931