Cincinnati Food Congress

Thousands of people are "food-insecure" in the Cincinnati area. Diet-related health problems are on the rise as the food industry aggressively promotes unhealthy foods. The global food industry is becoming more concentrated while the number of small and medium-sized family farms is declining. Our current food system is dependent on thousands of miles in distribution channels while acres of land lie fallow here in our midst.

These problems are being addressed nationally and in some cities already, but more work needs to be done in the Cincinnati region. The Community Design Center is annually convening, “The Cincinnati Regional Food Congress” with stakeholders active in food-related issues in Greater Cincinnati. This effort hopes to bring together a diverse number of organizations active in the food system in the Cincinnati Metro area. These include: The Nutrition Council, The Ohio State University Extension Office, Gorman Farms, Imago Earth Center, and many others. At the Food Congress we plan to assess the current condition and problems in our metropolitan food system. We also hope to design and implement strategies to address those issues through policy and action. In addition to the Food Conress, a Food Policy Council is being formed in order to address food related issues on a regular basis. Currently, individuals involved with the council are developing bylaws and seeking out additional members. Individuals and organizations interested in attending the Food Congress or becoming involved with the Food Policy Council are encouraged to contact the Community Design Center at (513) 556-3282 or (food.project@uc.edu).

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Background Information: The University of Cincinnati Community Design Center and the Niehoff Urban Studio Program conducted a two year student academic study of food related design and development issues in the Cincinnati area. We have studied urban supermarket design, social aspects of retail food uses, equity/access to retail food, food uses as urban development tools, food vending in public spaces, urban agriculture, the preservation of local food production and other issues. While this work is far from comprehensive it points to the possibility for evolving an action oriented agenda to influence food policy in the greater Cincinnati area. Documents From Previous CDC Research (2006): Problems Process Outcome Organizations Involved Database Powerpoint Presentation Niehoff Student Work on Food Issuses: (2002-2004) The Community Design Center is also studying food system and food management practices in relation to the Univeristy of Cincinnati. Click here for more information.