Procedure for Bringing Your Policy Action to the OFPN Steering Committee

Any member of the OFPN may request that the OFPN Steering Committee take a policy action or position on behalf of the OFPN by submitting the Requesting Policy Action Form below. Your request will be sent to the Policy Chair or OFPN Chair.

All pending Policy Actions will then be shared for review and decision at the next standing monthly Steering Committee meeting. At least 1/2 plus one of the Steering Committee members must be present for a decision to be made and at least 75% present must approve for OFPN to take a policy action.

In the case where a decision must be made before the next standing Steering Committee meeting, the Policy Chair will advance the discussion and vote electronically. In this format, a simple majority is required for approval, unless there are 5 or more dissents.

The Steering Committee will review and discuss the request, documenting discussion and decisions using the Process and Record of Decision-Making Form.

Following discussion and decision by the Steering Committee, the Policy Chair or designated Steering Committee member will notify the Network via the OFPN Listserv about the request, communicate the decision made by the Steering Committee and share information about how members can take action themselves via the OFPN Listserv.

Requesting Policy Action Form

Date

Name

Email Contact

Organization

Topic

Summary

Requested Action

The OFPN Steering Committee meets monthly and will discuss this in its next meeting. When does the OFPN Steering Committee need to take action?

The vision of the OFPN is to realize a food system in Ohio that is Sustainable, Healthful, Equitable, Resilient, and Accessible. How does the proposed action support or align with OFPN's vision, values and goals?

The OFPN focuses our work in four policy priority areas. Which area does the proposed action address?

LOCAL FARMS: Local farms are the bedrock of our local food system.

ACCESS & EDUCATION: The ability to consume nutritious food is a key social determinant of health.

INFRASTRUCTURE: A strengthened local and regional food supply chain will increase resilience and economic growth for Ohio communities.

INSTITUTIONS: Institutions create and expand markets for local food by vastly expanding their local food purchases.

The OFPN Policy Agenda includes policy statements and specific priorities that have been informed by OFPN stakeholders through interactive agenda-setting sessions (2017-2020) and shaped by members of the OFPN Policy Committee. These policy priorities are affirmative examples of the ways we work to improve our food system in the State of Ohio. Additionally, we oppose policies that threaten Ohioans from accessing local food or nutrition safety net programs. How does the proposed action support or align with OFPN’s Policy Agenda?