St. Louis Food Policy Coalition

After releasing the St. Louis Regional Food Study in November 2014, Missouri Coalition for the Environment sought to bring experts and passionate individuals together from diverse interest groups to address the food system needs of the Greater St. Louis area. In St. Louis, there are many great, local efforts addressing hunger, food access, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, social justice, community and economic development. The St. Louis Food Policy Coalition seeks to bridge these efforts to form a coordinated, local food system. We seek to leverage the myriad efforts underway. The work of all of these efforts will be lifted by a strong, connected local food system. Specifically, we shall work to shape public policy and influence decision makers about local food systems and their connections to concerns of health equity, environmental conservation and restoration, social justice, community development, and economic development. Together, Steering Committee members shall build capacity to become a united advocacy bloc. This united advocacy bloc shall work collectively to make change that will further the goals of all stakeholders involved.​

Mission Statement	Vision Statement
To promote a thriving local food system that supports the health, community, environment, and economy of the Greater St. Louis area.	A thriving local economy in the Greater St. Louis area where everyone has access to affordable, healthy food from local producers who are stewards of our soil, air, and water resources.
Core Values	Our Priorities
Community – Relationships, open communication, understanding, and collaboration among diverse stakeholders and between stakeholders and community members Education and Empowerment – Opportunities and support for everyone in the Greater St. Louis area to improve their lives and communities Equity – Geographic Access and Affordability of healthy, culturally relevant food for individuals in all socioeconomic components of the Greater St. Louis area Health and Nutrition – Nutritious food, prioritizing whole foods without chemical or genetic additives Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship – Local farmers and ranchers taking care of their land and policies that support sustainable land use in urban and rural communities. Based on SARE’s definition of “sustainability,” a sustainable food system must prioritize: Stewardship of our region’s soil, air, and water Quality of life for farmers, ranchers and their communities Profit over the long term Shorter supply chains to reduce the ecological footprint of our food system Local – Production and availability of healthy food produced within a 100 mile radius of St. Louis, recognizing that supporting farmers within 150 miles will help to incorporate farms that are outside 100 mile radii of the nearby metropolitan areas, Chicago and Kansas City. Economy – Businesses and individuals seeking to purchase healthy food from local farmers and ranchers, capturing more of our food dollars in the Greater St. Louis area.	Food Access and Public Transit Access Land Access for Urban Agriculture Institutional Local Food Purchasing

Check out MCE’s Interactive Local Foodshed Map! It is a great way to find local and environmentally responsible farmers in the St. Louis Regional Foodshed.

STLFPC Brochure

STLFPC is the lead entity moving forward the One STL Food Access Goal to reduce by half the number of census tracks where 70% of residents are considered low income and low (food) access by 2027. The goal was drafted from the 2017 Sustainability Summit through One STL, a regional sustainability initiative facilitated by East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Visit their food page to learn more.

View the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition Membership page to learn more about the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition structure and the steering committee members.

How to Get Involved

For more information about how you or your organization can be involved in the St. Louis Food Policy Coalition, contact MCE Food and Farm Director, Melissa Vatterott, at mvatterott@moenviron.org or by phone at 314-727-0600, ext. 111.