Linn County food policy council idea moves forward

A Linn County citizens' advisory on food issues moved closer to reality this morning with county supervisors' friendly reception to the proposal.

"We wouldn't be telling anybody what to eat," said Jason Grimm, addressing a potential criticism of what would be Iowa's fourth county food systems policy council. "The council would work with people who want  to create a better  access to fresh foods."

Grimm, food systems planner for the Iowa Valley Resource, Conservation and Development,  reviewed how three other counties, including Johnson, have launched food policy councils.

"They have been doing a lot of work looking for farmers who want to market locally, building markets," Grimm said of the councils in Cass and Pottawatomie counties.

"It's more about connections and facilitation," said Supervisor Linda Langston, noting the county's support for the NewBo City Market in southeast Cedar Rapids.

The council wouldn't require county funding, drawing on the county staff for support.

"We are on board with that," Planning and Development Director Les Beck told supervisors.

Supervisors agreed to advance the proposal to their March 28 formal session. Assuming it's approved, Beck's staff would post an appeal for volunteers to serve on the council.

Budget Director Dawn Jindrich told supervisors department heads are putting off some hiring and purchasing to offset

higher fuel prices, which they expect to weather without further disruption unless there's an unexpected jump. The supervisors instructed Jindrich to survey all county departments after hearing concerns from Conservation Department officials last week.