Food Change Now! Contents

AN ADVICE MODULE FOR FOOD POLICY COUNCILS FOOD CHANGE NOW! CONTENTS

4 1. GETTING STARTED! WHO’S INVOLVED? 5 1.1 Regional networks: broad participation, the city & the country 6 1.2 Including farmers and caterers 7 1.3 Kids, teens and schools

8 2. HOW DO WE WANT TO WORK? 8 2.1 Beneﬁ t from the diversity of stakeholders in your initiative 9 2.2 Preparing and facilitating meetings 10 2.3 Ensuring communication and range 10 2.4 Decide how to decide!

11 3. GOALS AND FIELDS OF ACTION 12 3.1 What role do you want to play? 12 3.2 The Food Policy Council as a bridge between real life and research

14 4. ORGANISATION, LAWS, BUDGETS 14 4.1 The question of representation and power structures 16 4.2 Determining legal and organizational structures 16 4.3 Money, money, money—funding and sponsors

18 5. POLITICS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND MUNICIPAL LOBBYING 18 5.1 Food policy: a new ﬁ eld for German city administrations 19 5.2 Municipal food policies elsewhere 20 5.3 Challenging local communities in terms of food policy 21 5.4 Municipal commitment in the context of awards and programs

22 6. BUILDING STRUCTURES—HOW DO OTHERS DO IT? 23 6.1 The Oldenburg Food Policy Council 24 6.2 The Frankfurt Food Policy Council 25 6.3 The Berlin Food Policy Council 26 6.4 The Cologne and Surrounding Areas Food Policy Council 27 6.5 The Munich Food Policy Council

28 7. FURTHER READING & MORE TIPS

2 AUTHOR EDITOR PROJECT MANAGER ALESSA HEUSER WILFRIED BOMMERT AGNES STREBER Social scientist, expert on food The World Food Institute, Ernährungsinstitut KinderLeicht, sovereignty, Bochum Berlin Munich

DEAR FOOD ACTIVISTS AND ENTHUSIASTS,

How safe is our daily bread? Although supermarket But where do you start when you want to push such big shelves appear well stocked at all times, suggesting de- changes? Who can participate in the conversion? How pendability, the global food supply chain that we all rely do you create a sustainable social network? How do you on is becoming brittle. Climate change, droughts and reconcile confl icting positions? How do you spark inter- fl oods, political tensions and armed confl icts are jeop- est in the political aspects of food? ardizing constant supply. In the event of an emergency, our food reserves would last for three days at the most. More and more initiatives worldwide are pursuing this path, and some have already successfully done so. Food safety, climate change, the extinction of species, Here, too, the movement is gaining momentum. There malnourishment and overconsumption are inextricably is no need to reinvent the wheel: we have compiled the linked, which points to the fact that our food system most important lessons learned here, and tested them requires a new, solid foundation: a foundation that isn’t for their practical suitability. In this guide you will fi nd organized through global trade but rather regionally, what has proven its worth so far. relying on the fi elds and meadows in front of our own doorsteps, on sustainably operating farms, a diverse This guide was developed within the framework of the food industry, regional markets, local value creation and project “Ernährungswende” (“food change”) which appreciation. was funded by the Federal Environment Agency (Um- weltbundesamt). We would like to express our sincere Calls for a fundamental change in food policies have thanks, especially to Almut Jering, our expert advisor been becoming louder in previous years, meanwhile po- from the Federal Environment Agency. litical decision making in Berlin and Brussels continues to adhere to “business as usual”, refusing to face the Good luck with starting your initiative! challenge. The increasing global public protests, par- The World Food Institute, Berlin ticularly by young people, indicate: discontent is growing. The public is no longer willing to remain silent. It not only demands a change in food policies but also takes matters into its own hands. In an increasing number of cities and communities, the public is building new bridges between farmers and citizens, creating local food concepts and demanding that preventive meas- ures for good and safe food become the subject of local political decision making.

3 1

GETTING STARTED WHO’S INVOLVED? A regional network dedicated to food policy is elementary for building and implementing food policy initiatives such as Food Policy Councils. After all, the goal is to bring all the groups promoting sustainable food and agriculture in your region together.

REGIONAL NETWORKS: BROAD PARTICIPATION, THE CITY & THE COUNTRY 1.1

It is not only advisable to bring together as many regions are represented, including farmers and food stakeholder groups as possible – from civil socie- processing companies. Everybody along the food sup- ty to trade and gastronomy – but also to ensure that ply chain should be involved in the creation of your both stakeholders from urban areas and from the rural new food concept.

TIP Include the surrounding area

Get in touch with people who have n Organic farms and processing promoting sustainable regional de- experience in rural development companies implementing ecological velopment and empowerment for ru- and regional marketing in your re- directives in crop cultivation, animal ral spaces for many years. Reach out gion: husbandry, and processing. They are to the association and ask who you organized in farmers associations can liaise with in your region. n Farmers and gardeners who sell whose members often also cooperate their produce directly on their premis- on a regional and countrywide lev- n Churches often support network- es or via box schemes. el. Connect with the organic farming ing in rural areas and help focus civic association in your region! Demeter, commitment. In the catholic church for n Farmers who have joined the Bioland, and Naturland are the three example, the Catholic Rural People’s Small Farmers Association / (Arbe- largest associations in Germany. The Movement of Germany (Katholische itsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Land- Federal Center for Nutriton (BZfE) 3 Landvolkbewegung / KLVB) 4 as well wirtschaft AbL) 1 , most of them are provides a comprehensive list of or- as the The Catholic German Women’s small scale and medium scale op- ganic farming associations in Germa- League (Katholischer Deutscher Frau- erations, voicing positions vis-à-vis ny on its website. enverband / KDFB) 5 actively promote German and international agricultural good living conditions in rural areas, policy. AbL is also a member of the in- n The Federal Association of the support for farms and farmers as well ternational farmers’ movement La Via Regional Movement (Bundesverband as taking initiative in food and agricul- Campesina 2 . der Regionalbewegung) has been tural policy issues.

5 CHECKLIST Which stakeholder groups can you involve in your initiatives?

n Agricultural producers: farms, n Health and nutrition educators: n Political representatives and mu- companies that sell produce directly, (adult education) schools, gardens, nicipal administrations: municipalities processing companies / stakeholders (community gardens, city gardens, (e.g. urban green space planning de- from the food industry school gardens, intercultural gar- partments, public acquisition coordi- dens), health facilities with a nutrition nators), political parties represented n Beekeepers focus, medical and health profes- in city and communal councils sionals, health insurance companies n Processors, e.g. dairy shops, and health insurance funds n Universities and research institu- mills, bakeries, butcheries, breweries tions n Political initiatives and stakehold- n Businesses: retailers, commercial ers: Foodsharing, Slow Food, envi- n Church institutions and groups chains (e.g. organic supermarkets or ronment associations such as NABU conventional supermarkets), whole- (Nature And Biodiversity Conservation n Citizen shareholder company Re- sale, the local Chamber of Com- Union), Friends of the Earth Germa- gionalwert AGs merce and Industry (Industrie- und ny – BUND, institutions with a devel- Handelskammer / IHK) opmental agenda such as fair trade shops (“Weltläden), local groups of n Distributors: canteen kitchens, NGOs such as FIAN, groups of the catering companies, weekly markets, “Über den Tellerrand” movement, (re- food co-ops, community-supported gional) associations such as regional agriculture, The Food Assembly, gas- groups of organic farming associa- tronomy tions, foundations etc.

GOOD TO KNOW Pioneers of circular economy

Reach out to one of the “Regionalwert AGs”, which have farms, processors and retailers to create regional net- been spreading all over Germany since 2006 and are works and enable value creation on a regional level. The supporting circular economies in the food and agricultur- ﬁ rst “Regionalwert AG” was founded in the urban region al sectors in the Freiburg area, the Rhineland, Branden- of Freiburg in 2006. The “Regionalwert” members have burg, Berlin, the Isar and Inn regions as well as Hamburg. gathered ample experience in establishing and funding These citizen shareholder companies invest in organic circular economies in the food and agricultural sectors. 6

INCLUDE FARMERS AND CATERERS 1.2

According to experienced Food Policy Councils, farm- are often busy in the evenings and on weekends. Think ers and caterers in particular have little time to contrib- about how you can organize your work so these groups ute to regional initiatives. Keep in mind: if your initiative can also be involved in your food policy activities from meets in the city, farmers will have to travel a longer the start. distance from the surrounding countryside. Caterers

6 IN REAL LIFE This is how Food Policy Councils do it

n The committee for regional marketing in the Cologne the Food Policy Council’s work meetings, the Berlin Food Policy Council consists predominantly of farmers. Food Policy Council organized a hearing in 2017, which This allows them to efﬁ ciently coordinate where and when lasted several hours and to which various practitioners they meet. and experts from certain fields were invited to. The hear- ings provided ideas for proposals for a concrete list of n To enable the involvement of certain stakeholder political demands by the Food Policy Council directed at groups and people who cannot regularly participate in the Berlin Senate.

KIDS, TEENS AND SCHOOLS 1.3

Each of us decides at least three times a day on what especially important. Many children in Germany do not is grown in the ﬁ elds or what is imported, whenever we have access to good food or eat the wrong kinds of choose a meal. This begins at an early age and thus food. About 15 percent of the children and adolescents depends on what children and young people learn about in this country are overweight and about six percent suf- food. Only in this way can they recognize the value of fer from obesity, especially if they grow up in socially regional, ecologically produced and fair trade food and weak environments 7 . Hence, gaining ﬁ rst-hand expe- pass their knowledge on to others. For this reason, the riences in school gardens and kitchens is particularly nutritional education of children and young people is important for them.

IN REAL LIFE School gardens and school kitchens as realms of experience

Children learn how vegetables and fruit grow in school What ends up on the tables in schools and kindergartens? gardens and they can work the soil with their own hands. Why don’t you conduct a survey in the schools and day- They can also use their own harvest in their school kitch- care centers around you and ask them: where does the ens to prepare delicious meals. Perhaps your Food Policy food that is served here on a daily basis come from? The Council would like to support the establishment of school organization Agrar Koordination suggests bringing to- gardens in the region? Rhineland-Palatinate sets a good gether the kitchen staff as well as pupils and teachers, example. Here, school gardening is promoted by an initi- parents, school management and school authorities and ative at state level. On its website, the state 8 documented to establish a “canteen committee” to take a closer look the existence of 41 school gardens and published a prac- at how school and daycare meals can be made more sus- tical guide 9 on the subject. Furthermore, supraregional tainable. A “food plan check” (how can more regional, fair initiatives such as the vegetable “Ackerdemie” 10 and the and organic food be used?) and a “food waste check” “Ackerhelden” 11 help establish school gardens. (how can waste be reduced and surpluses be recycled?) can help determine where and which things could be changed. More tips and tricks on the subject can be found in the manual “Gutes Essen macht Schule – Nachhaltige Kita- und Schulverpﬂ egung – wie geht das?” (“Good Food at School — Sustainable Day Care and School Catering – How Does it Work?”) by Agrar Koordination 12.

7 2

HOW DO WE WANT TO WORK?

How can you as an initiative create a solid foundation for your work? How can you organize yourselves in such a way that it’s fun, you work efﬁ ciently and everybody is involved? What challenges lie ahead of you and how have other Food Policy Councils mastered them?

BENEFIT FROM THE DIVERSITY OF STAKEHOLDERS IN YOUR INITIATIVE 2.1

Cooperation between different stakeholder groups is important for inducing change in food and agriculture. TIP However, in practice it can be tricky: people aren’t Support through always on the same page. Everyone associates food experience with personal feelings and experiences. Additionally, the issue of food is often not considered holistically, as a system “from field to plate” in politics, research, Foundations and political education and communi- and administrations. If you wish to develop a common cation service providers such as e.g. the online plat- political vision for food in your region, it is important to form “erzähl davon” (“talk about it” – www.erzae- take into account the various view points within your 13 14 hldavon.de) or Prozesswerkstatt offer process initiative—which has a lot to do with social work! In consultations and workshops on the subjects of order to make sustainable decisions, fair discussions group leadership, organization development, facilitation / presentation and non-violent communica- and compromises are needed and most importantly: tion. Find out more about appropriate formats! The everyone needs to be included. Stiftung Mitarbeit foundation (www.mitarbeit.de) has compiled methods and processes for citizens’ initiatives on their website. 15

8 PREPARING AND FACILITATING MEETINGS 2.2

Diligently prepare your meetings. The following points Surely you’re familiar with the situation: developing are particularly important: ideas together and having exciting discussions is an enriching experience and fun. However, sometimes n establish your goals and methods before the meeting. it bears the risk of getting bogged down in details or causing conﬂ icts within the group. Good facilitation can n set an agenda. work miracles and can also help make meetings more successful and satisfying for everyone involved by: n then choose the facilitator and minute taker. n promoting open discussions among everyone in- Building your (food) policy initiative collectively and in a volved participatory way is a long-term process. Always make sure to establish at which point of the process you are n ensuring mutual understanding and what the next step is. Setting milestones and planning time horizons will help you reach your goal more n contributing to finding solutions in situations of efﬁ ciently. conflict (mediation)

n identifying common ground for everyone involved

TIPP n insisting on sustainable results Dynamic facilitation n promoting cooperation

n developing perspectives Sociocracy, also known as dynamic governance or dynamic facilitation, aims at ﬁ nding a viable n ensuring that everyone involved is heard solution for everyone involved, thus allowing the group to continuously work even in difﬁ cult situations. Decisions are made using “consent”. Con- n collecting all the ideas brought up by the group and sent doesn’t mean “Yes, I agree!” but rather “I have uncovering the power they bear no grave objections” 16. Methodologically, consent is established by exchanging plausible arguments (“the argument rules”). If a decision is proposed for Facilitators have various roles and tasks. They safe- election, everybody involved asks themselves “Can guard the processes established by the group (time, I live with this decision?” If the answer is “No”, the process must be stopped and new solutions need role, rules, tasks), introduce subjects, prevent losing to be found. sight of objectives and getting bogged down in details, clarify individual strands of a discussion and summarize them as well as document their results.

IN REAL LIFE Investing in the foundation phase

When preparing for its launch from March 2017 to June dation phase in a total of eleven meetings. This helped 2018, the Munich Food Policy Council invested a lot of deescalate conﬂ icts, considerably simpliﬁ ed the process time, money and brainpower. Because the initiative could and helped create statutes, establish temporary work rely on funding from the start, it was able to hire a pro- committees, develop a mission statement for the council fessional facilitator who assisted it throughout the foun- and to strategically focus its interest representation.

9 ENSURING COMMUNICATION AND RANGE 2.3

For many (food) policy initiatives external communica- For internal communication, setting up a mailing list tion happens online, via a website, a contact email ad- for you to exchange information as a group makes dress and a Facebook site. Of course you can also use sense. This can be done, for example, via Riseup or a Twitter and other social media to increase your reach. pre-conﬁ gurated mailing list, often included in packages You can also set up a newsletter to keep interested offered by web hosting providers. Some initiatives also stakeholders in the region posted about your activities. work with virtual spaces such as WeChange or cloud Sustainable web hosting providers include GREENSTA, storage like Dropbox. These allow for shared storage manitu, and HostEurope 17. or editing of documents, a shared calendar and virtual exchange beyond personal meetings.

GOOD TO KNOW General Data Protection Regulation

Get smart on the subject of data protection! As soon as ing and, if necessary, obtain declarations of consent from personal data (e.g. through the administration of mem- those affected or conclude data protection agreements bers or registration lists for events) is collected, processed with external service providers. You can ﬁ nd more info on or used in your initiative, you must honor data protection this topic e.g. on the websites of the Verbraucherzentrale regulations (EU DSGVO). Be aware of your data process- (consumer advice centre) North Rhine-Westphalia 18.

DECIDE HOW TO DECIDE! 2.4

Particularly in the early stages of your initiative, pro- n How many members of your initiative are to be part cesses and rules for decision making still need to be of the decision making process (absolute minimum)? tested. You will encounter questions such as: “Who and how many of us need to be involved in this de- n Which voting rules / rules of decision making are to cision, for it to be on legitimate grounds?”. Hence, it be implemented (e.g. majority, consensus, consent)? makes sense to decide how you decide. The following questions can help you in the process: n Do you want to establish participation rates, i.e. are representatives of certain stakeholder groups within your initiative (e.g. women or food producers) required to be present?

10 3

GOALS AND FIELDS OF ACTION

In many places circular economies in the food sector have deteriorated in the wake of industrialization and globalization and need to be reintroduced on a local level in order to create sustainable food systems. Make it your task to detect and reactivate potentials for circular economies in your region. Next to analyzing stakeholder networks it can also make sense to take a look at local logistics and infrastructure. Where are the problems and gaps in your food systems?

TIP Just start! Expedition to the supermarket

Don’t wait until the facts and fi gures can also run in parallel and stimulate experiment and tag all regional prod- are on the table. You can also get each other. Your fi rst steps might ucts. Invite the press to present your started without performing extensive lead you to the supermarket. Make results. This could be a fi rst step and analyses fi rst. Defi cits in the food an experiment out of it: which foods prelude on the way to a change in system (e.g. the low proportion of actually come from the region? In a food policy in your region. regional and organic food in super- study carried out in 2015 in Freiburg, markets) are often so obvious that no it was 20 percent 19. What is the sit- statistics are required to substantiate uation like where you are? Win the these problems. Surveys and actions supermarket manager over for your

11 In the end, every initiative ﬁ nds its own path, determines duced from the experiences of already established Food its own goals, decides where it wants to start and which Policy Councils and food policy initiatives in Germany course to take. Nonetheless, certain patterns can be de- which can serve as inspiration for your work.

WHAT ROLE DO YOU WANT TO PLAY? 3.1

A Food Policy Council can take on many roles. Often, Your initiative could have a multitude of goals, e.g. Food Policy Councils serve as local think tanks, instiga- tors and platforms in one. They n a comprehensive program of nutritional training courses for citizens in the city/municipality, n present problems, solutions and networking options n more regional food supply n present visions and incentives for the creation of food systems on a regional level and n more effective food policy networks

n bring together all the relevant stakeholders 20. n the reduction of food waste

You will ﬁ nd more ideas in the manual “Unser Essen n more species-appropriate (regional) animal hus- mitgestalten! – Ein Handbuch zum Ernährungsrat des bandry INKOTA-Netzwerks“ (German) 21. n a larger proportion of organic, fair or regional food in communal catering

n the preservation of (small) rural structures or

n the regionalization of value creation in the food sector

THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN REAL LIFE AND RESEARCH 3.2

Involving local researchers from a variety of disciplines searchers work on the goal of social ecological change. that can contribute to a change in the food system, and With respect to projects dedicated to agriculture and the knowledge that is generated in this way, are key in rural development, it is important to involve farmers as the development of a regional food concept. This can be active participants in research—after all, they are the done in so-called “living labs” where the public and re- ones who know best how the things that feed us grow.

12 LIST OF IDEAS Which stakeholder groups could your initiative involve?

n Convince research institutions or n Create so-called “living labs” where n Ask universities to include Food student groups to support your Food researchers and the public cooperate Policy Councils in their strategic Policy Council or even co-found it. in researching issues directed towards work with external stakeholders and change in food and agriculture. networks. Many university adminis- n The Food Policy Council as a pool trations have departments dedicated for research ideas: where do you lack n Use your contacts to professors to networking and external cooper- knowledge in your analysis, what and researchers to gain access to sta- ation. could innovative approaches for your tistics and other information relevant region look like? Pass these issues on to your work. n Include the student services‘ can- to professors and teachers at univer- teens in your strategies, they are one sities as ideas for future research. of the large levers in food change.

IN REAL LIFE Researchers as partners in action

The Berlin Food Policy Council joined forces with The Eber- a larger consortium of partners including the Economic swalde University for Sustainable Development (Hochschule Development Agency Berlin Brandenburg (Wirtschafts- für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde / HNEE), among förderung Berlin-Brandenburg), The Federation for Or- others, to work on a seven-month conceptual phase with- ganic Farming in Berlin-Brandenburg (Fördergemein- in the research program “WIR! – Wandel durch Innovation schaft Ökologischer Landbau Berlin-Brandenburg) and in der Region” (“US – Change through regional innovation Pro Agro, an association promoting rural development / WIR”), funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and in the Brandenburg-Berlin region. The Berlin Food Policy Research (BMBF). The HNEE and Berlin’s Technical Uni- Council is involved as a real life research partner in the versity’s “Centre for Technology and Society“ (“Zentrum ﬁ eld “agriculture and food” and has been allocated funds Technik und Gesellschaft“) served as the applicants of via a service contract 22.

1313 4

ORGANISATION, LAWS, BUDGETS

THE QUESTION OF REPRESENTATION AND POWER STRUCTURES 4.1

The question of which groups and stakeholders the FOOD POLICY COUNCILS AS Food Policy Council represents is an exciting one. MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PLATFORMS? Which associations, NGOs or city administration departments are backing the initiative? Do you want to be Do we only support organic or also conventional opera- a large mixed group of stakeholders comprised of sev- tions? Do we want representatives of supermarkets and eral smaller groups, or a citizens’ initiative for individu- powerful retail chains to participate or not? Do we want als to join forces? Do you exclusively represent citizens the food industry to sponsor us? Do we generally re- (like an NGO) or are local authorities and politicians in- fuse working with the meat industry for ethical reasons? volved on an equal footing? Food policy initiatives have to deal with a lot of contro- versial issues. Sometimes it can be challenging to come DO YOU WANT TO REPRESENT up with a common denominator in order to ﬁ nd com- INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS? mon ground for change in the region, especially if you

The Food Policy Councils in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Co- logne, for example, have opted for independent citizens’ initiatives. Firstly, because members who ofﬁ cially represent other institutions would have to frequently con- sult with their own peers (e.g. regarding decisions) which TIP could lead to bureaucratic obstacles to the process. Enshrine guidelines Secondly, to ensure an open and goal-oriented exchange among all members, which might not be possible if they also had to take into consideration the positions of other To ensure that the members of the Munich Food institutions. Naturally, interests and views are not always Policy Council support its goals, a commencement clearly separable when a person wears several “hats” or clause was included in its statutes. In this way, every member of the Munich Food Policy Council auto- is involved in different groups. However, to facilitate con- matically consents with its guidelines. structive interaction in your initiative, it can be helpful to be aware of this and to exchange views about it.

14 want your initiative to be open to all interested parties. There is no magic formula for dealing with polarizing issues and compromises. However, in addition to good GOOD TO KNOW process facilitation and moderation, it can help to undo Different kinds certain power structures often present in food systems of Food Policy Councils (e.g. a dominant agri-food industry lobby).

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CIVIC You can fi nd a detailed comparison of the advantag- OR A COMMUNAL GROUP? es and disadvantages of municipal and civic Food Policy Councils in “Unser Essen mitgestalten! – Ein 23 One question every Food Policy Council faces in its foun- Handbuch zum Ernährungsrat” or in the English manual “Doing Food Policy Councils Right: A Guide dation phase is whether local municipal representatives to Development and Action” 24. should be invited and involved. The issue of whether food policy engagement should draw boundaries between local governments / municipal policy and civil society can have an impact on how Food Policy Councils work, e.g. in terms of political (in)dependence, access to labor resources, political mandates and the council’s legal stand- ing, power and control, as well as fl exibility in action. You should discuss and decide on this aspect. IN REAL LIFE Various options Questions your initiative can ask itself: n Which type of organization is most effective / fast / n sustainable in driving food and agricultural change in In Cologne, the Food Policy Council collab- orates with the city administration. Thanks to your region? well-established contacts, the Food Policy Coun- cil and the administration were able to jointly draft n Do you have good contacts in the city administra- a resolution for the mayor, through which the city tion or do you know committed local politicians who are administration was offi cially commissioned by the interested in actively supporting the establishment of a city council to support the Food Policy Council. Food Policy Council? Members of the city administration participate in the Food Policy Council meetings, but do not vote on decisions. n Would you like to be an independent body that acts as a critical mouthpiece vis-à-vis local politics? n A global pioneer, the Food Policy Council of Toronto / Canada serves as an advisory council to n What responsibilities should your council have in re- the municipal government. It consists of volunteers lation to local politics? (e.g. lobbying and control, coun- from civic society and some full-time members who seling, cooperation) are employed by the Board of Health and direct the council’s affairs. n Where do you get the resources (money, space, equipment, coordination) to fund the Food Policy Coun- cil’s work? Does the city / municipality provide these resources? n Are you aiming at becoming a more legitimate offi cial council that has a mandate to advise the city council?

15 DETERMINING LEGAL STRUCTURES AND FORMS OF ORGANISATION 4.2

At some point the question of whether you want to be uncomfortable when it comes to funding, as was the more than just a loose initiative from a legal point of case with the Berlin Food Policy Council. Deciding on a view will arise. There are groups that choose not to ac- particular legal and organizational form can have further quire legal capacity because, for example, they do not advantages: for example, the possibility of creating a want to force themselves into a legal form or have no legal basis for the members in order to lease land or desire or time to deal with the demands and accounta- accept donations. As part of its “MehrWert NRW” pro- bility this entails. However, this can make the situation ject, the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Centre (Ver- braucherzentrale) developed a toolbox 26 for initiatives, which highlights the advantages and disadvantages of different organizational forms: IN REAL LIFE n Legal entities and Companies constituted under civil law (Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts /GbR) funding n Registered or unincorporated associations (der The Berlin Food Policy Council initially decided eingetragene oder der nicht rechtsfähige Verein) against becoming a legal entity, but passed statutes in its founding document in its plenary session. Over n Limited liability companies (Gesellschaft mit bes- time, options for funding emerged, which, however chränkter Haftung/GmbH) or entrepreneurial companies only could be applied for by legal entities such as (Unternehmergesellschaft/UG ) associations. In order to obtain public funds, the council fi nally decided to found a non-profi t asso- n ciation. In June 2018 it offi cially registered with the Cooperatives (Genossenschaften) local authorities 25. n Foundations with or without legal capacity (rechts- fähige oder nicht rechtsfähige Stiftungen).

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY FUNDING AND SPONSORS 4.3

Just like any other initiative, a Food Policy Council has environment and which your initiative does not actually to deal with the costs of coordinating the initiative, im- want to support. In such a case it’s better to look for a plementing activities or gaining more members. sponsor from the region whose activities you ﬁ nd agree- able, instead. CHOOSE YOUR DONORS CONSCIOUSLY

The question of who funds the work of your council is a WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU NEED political one because donors can formally or informally FOR YOUR WORK? inﬂ uence the content or political direction of your work. Therefore, you should consider carefully which funds you Staff costs: Food Policy Councils cannot and will not will accept and which you would rather forego because be able to work without volunteers, but of course there it could damage your independence or reputation (see are limits: day jobs and other obligations need to be also chapter 4.1 Representation and power structures). taken care of, after all. That’s why it makes sense to Basically – and particularly when the sponsors are indus- think about whether you need full-time staff at one point trial and commercial groups – there is a risk of “green- when developing your Food Policy Council —not only washing”: for example, if a company in the food industry to make sure volunteers aren’t weighed down but also supports you with a larger sum of money to present itself to determine what effects the employment of full-time as a sustainable enterprise to the public – even though it members would have on processes and the atmosphere manufactures products that harm people, animals or the and whether they would help further your initiative.

16 Staff funding: Personnel costs are often high and should be secured in the long term to create good working conditions for full-time staff. Both at the state and TIP the federal level there are funding programs and calls Splitting the workload for proposals to which your initiative can apply. Suit- between employed staff able thematic approaches can be, for example, food, and volunteers agriculture, health, environment and resource management, climate protection, global or social justice or economic and regional development. Ultimately, there is no There are Food Policy Councils working with staff magic formula for how to create jobs in a Food Policy and volunteers who are already tried and tested in Council as long as there aren’t any government support maintaining transparency and grassroots democra- cy as well as sharing knowledge, control and re- programs for regional food cycles. So far, full-time coor- sources among everyone involved. Try to agree on dination offi ces in Germany and Switzerland have been what role the staff is to play in your initiative: should funded in many different ways, through the: they be elected by a steering committee? Who decides on how to fi ll vacancies? Do they merely have n One-World Promoter program with thematic refer- an executive function or are they also to help give ences to global justice / sustainable development (Food direction to your initiative? Who controls them? Policy Council Berlin) How can their advance in knowledge be balanced within the group? n Lower Saxony Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (Food Policy Council Oldenburg) n Berlin Senate (Berlin Food Policy Council) n Stiftung Mercator Switzerland (Food Forum Zurich) IN REAL LIFE Finding a good space n City of Cologne (supported by the Urban Green Space Planning Department; funding was allocated by the city council) (Food Policy Council Cologne and sur- n The Frankfurt Food Policy Council, which rounding area) is supported by the Bürger für regionale Land- wirtschaft und Ernährung e.V. (Citizens for regional n Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Con- agriculture and food association), holds its meet- servation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), funding program ings on the association’s premises. “Short Paths to Climate Protection” for the coordination of the sub-project “Essbare Stadt” (“edible city”); (Food n The Berlin Food Policy Council uses the Insti- Policy Council Cologne and surrounding area) tute for Ecological Economy Research’s (IÖW) “lab” for smaller group meetings—for larger events such as plenary meetings or workshops, it has larger Costs for premises: For your meetings or to organ- spaces at its disposal, such as the Markthalle Neun. ize events, you need premises. Before you move in, fi nd out if there are cheaper options. Check out community n The Cologne Food Policy Council received centers, shops in the neighborhood or spaces that allow subsidies to rent an offi ce space for the coordina- you to share rooms and split costs with other initiatives. tors. This can even create synergies between space users, n The Munich Food Policy Council convenes e.g. if you share the space with environmental or climate in rooms hosted by the GLS Bank Munich and the initiatives and you can inspire each other in your work! Ökom publishing house.

Material costs: As with the rent, splitting costs is also a feasible solution here. Is there a rental or free shop in your region? You may be able to borrow materials or get them for free or for a donation.

Costs for activities and events: Foundations (e.g. GLS Bank’s Future Foundation for Agriculture / Zukunfts- stiftung Landwirtschaft, Foundation Environment and Development North Rhine-Westphalia / Stiftung Umwelt und Entwicklung or political foundations) offer grants for larger activities or events. You can also request spon- sorship from private donors. Catering may be provided by your local organic bakery, brewery or food sharing group. Just ask!

17 5

POLITICS, ADMINISTRATIONS AND MUNICIPAL LOBBYING

The nationwide wave of Food Policy Councils in Germany since 2015 has posed new challenges for politics and municipal administrations. Neither politicians nor municipal staff are prepared for them. Food as a new municipal task requires new ﬁ elds of expertise from employees and a redistribution of ﬁ nancial resources.

FOOD POLICY: A NEW FIELD FOR GERMAN CITY ADMINISTRATIONS 5.1

Many municipalities are still unfamiliar with the term URBAN REGIONS INSTEAD OF A “SILO” “food policy” 27, not least because feeding the popula- MENTALITY tion was considered a federal duty and not the task of municipalities, and because the city and the country “Silo mentality” often prevails among administrations were understood not as a unit but as separate regions. and decision makers in urban and rural areas—which And it is exactly this divide that needs to be overcome. is a challenge because it makes it more difﬁ cult for ur- A sustainable food system requires vivid urban-rural ban and rural stakeholders to cooperate or pursue com- connections. Regional food systems can only succeed mon approaches for the region. Furthermore, munici- if the cities are supplied with food cultivated in areas pal boundaries often do not correspond to functional nearby and processed in the surrounding countryside. It urban-rural interdependencies, which in return inhibits is also important to promote a sense of community and, fruitful urban-rural relations 28. above all, responsibility between urban consumers and food producers. The implementation of political agreements such as the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact can help remove such obstacles.

18 GOOD TO KNOW The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact

Over a hundred mayors from all over the world signed regions. Since then, other cities have followed suit, in- the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact at the World Expo in cluding Berlin, Cologne and Frankfurt—perhaps your city Milan in 2015, thus committing to promoting socially just soon will, too? 29 and ecologically sustainable food systems in their urban

GOOD TO KNOW Regional Value Creation Managers

The Federal Association of Regional Movement (Bun- the population—much like designated climate protection desverband der Regionalbewegung) proposed the intro- managers who help implement local climate protection duction of so-called “regional caretakers” or “regional val- concepts. They should be positioned in the municipalities ue creation managers” who promote sustainable regional and regions and play a networking, initiating, and assist- marketing at the interface of politics, industry, crafts and ing role in the development of regional marketing 30.

MUNICIPAL FOOD POLICIES ELSEWHERE 5.2

German municipalities have little experience with the ho- A HEALTH PROGRAM listic approach to “food and agriculture”. Other countries, AS AN IGNITION SPARK however, do. In this chapter we present the experiences had by the pioneering regions of Amsterdam and sur- The city administration decided to promote the popu- rounding areas / Netherlands and Massachusetts / USA. lation’s nutritional education by growing food in public Your initiative can also refer to these international exam- spaces. For this purpose, the public health service co- ples when municipal representatives or local politicians operated with the city planning authority for the first ask in which direction local change in food policy is sup- time. This was a new experience, especially for the posed to be headed. urban planning staff whose work had previously been limited to the development of large infrastructure pro- INTERDEPARTMENTAL COOPERATION jects and housing. This led to a long-term cooperation IN AMSTERDAM (BEST PRACTICE 1) between the two administrative departments, with both units appointing a contact person for the other. The example of Amsterdam illustrates how the silo mentality can be overcome and how valuable interdiscipli- nary “food system thinking” 31 really is. As part of a public program by the city of Amsterdam to reduce obesity among children and young people, various administrative units implemented new forms of cooperation here.

19 GOOD FOOD FOR AMSTERDAM SYNERGIES BETWEEN MUNICIPAL POLICY SCHOOLS OBJECTIVES IN MASSACHUSETTS (BEST PRACTICE 2) The project team also established a cooperation with the education authority. Initially, the education authority In the U.S. state of Massachusetts, the holistic approach was reluctant to advertise healthy food and weight-re- with regard to food planning has had positive effects on ducing sports programs at schools. Their objection: economic development, health, and ecological sustain- school curricula were already extensive enough. When ability. Municipalities, for example, endorsed the estab- the health service took the initiative to ask the schools lishment of farmer’s markets that promote regional value in Amsterdam about their needs and found a lot of inter- creation as well as access to fresh, healthy food. est, the education authority fi nally agreed. This example illustrates how benefi ciary it is for a region if different FARMER’S MARKETS WITH DISCOUNTS departments of the administration—in this case health FOR BENEFICIARIES and education—approach their work from a nutritional point of view 32. In Toronto / Canada, the city council In the city of Boston, regional supply was boosted in even decided to examine all municipal policy decisions 2008 by granting recipients of food stamps a discount of from the perspective of urban food fi rst, at the insist- up to US$ 10 when shopping at farmer’s markets as part ence of the Food Policy Council 33. of the public food security program “SNAP”. In this way, the city also ensured access to fresh fruit and vegetables for poor population groups. The program is funded by the city and private donors. The synergies between municipal health and food security activities proved so valuable that the number of farmer’s markets increased from seven to 18 between 2008 and 2013, signifi cantly improving relations between the city of Boston and its surroundings. 34

CHALLENGING LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN TERMS OF FOOD POLICY 5.3

In many countries and municipalities interdepartmen- a pioneer in this respect. Toronto has had a Food Policy tal cooperation for the sake of regional food systems is Council since 1991 and published a Nutrition Strategy in still in its infancy. This new kind of interdisciplinarity be- 2008. In its 2017 Status Report on the implementation tween administrative units, which is crucially connected of the Nutrition Strategy, the City of Toronto announced to the development of a regional food policy, requires that it would continue to rely on its administrative units’ good will and an ofﬁ cial mandate from the municipality cooperation. The activities of the health authorities are to promote a “backup” institution such as a Food Policy to be integrated with the urban poverty, neighborhood Council 35. The Toronto Food Policy Council is regarded and climate protection strategies 36.

20 TIP Look at municipal structures

n Be aware of the structures and competencies in your n Talk to employees in your city administration who are city administration or local government. How is it organ- open to new food concepts. Find thematic or institutional ized and where can you start with your lobbying or pub- interfaces where the interests of the administration coin- lic relations work? For which tasks does the municipality cide with yours. have a mandate? In which areas does it have competenc- es? Where can it not take action because it lacks juris- n Talk to employees of your city administration or lo- diction? 37 cal politicians who know the local political “scene” well. Where do they see the best opportunities to start with a n Where are the deﬁ cits regarding food in your city / regional food strategy? community? Which urban departments should have an interest in overcoming the deﬁ cit? Which ministries have the required skills or expertise?

MUNICIPAL COMMITMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF AWARDS AND PROGRAMS 5.4

There are numerous political networks, programs or n The commitment to the “Biostadt” (“organic city”) awards that can inspire your city’s or community’s com- program 39, which is part of the nationwide “Biostädte” mitment to food policy. Although they don’t necessarily network and promotes regional organic farming and or- warrant for sustainable change, they can bring a breath ganic food. of fresh air into your region’s “sustainability scene”. You can also refer to them when lobbying in municipalities. n The commitment to “Fairtrade-Towns”40, which spe- Examples are ciﬁ cally promotes fair trade at local levels. n A nutrition strategy ofﬁ cially adopted by the munic- n The commitment to the program “Pestizidfreie Kom- ipality. mune” (“pesticide-free community”) 41, which foregoes the use of toxic pesticides in allotment gardens or when n The international Milan Urban Food Policy Pact cleaning public areas, among others. which cities signed to promote sustainable food systems (see chapter 9.1). n The commitment to the “Essbare Stadt” (“edible dity”) program 42, in which useful plants are cultivated n The local implementation of the United Nations Sus- and harvested on public land and which promotes the tainable Development Goal (SDG) 38, which in many plac- nutritional education of citizens. es relates to agriculture and food. n Regional infrastructure programs or events with a claim to sustainability (such as horticultural exhibitions, harvest festivals, etc.).

21 6

BUILDING STRUCTURES — HOW DO OTHERS DO IT? How do you want to organize yourselves? Who will coordinate your initiative? Which subgroups / committees / working groups do you want to set up? Who is chosen by whom? Here you can read how other Food Policy Councils in Germany handle these issues.

THE OLDENBURG FOOD POLICY COUNCIL 6.1

The Oldenburg Food Policy Council was founded in Oc- committees work on specifi c topics or organize educa- tober 2017. The council is represented by 15 elected tional programs or events. They are each represented persons, of which fi ve have backgrounds in the social in the council by at least one committee member. An- realms of food economy, politics & administration, and yone wishing to participate on a long-term basis who civil society respectively. They make decisions, are re- has attended at least three meetings can become an sponsible for organizational development and do mu- offi cial member of the Food Policy Council. For its over- nicipal lobbying work. In addition, they assist politicians all coordination and to support its work, the Food Pol- as experts on regional food issues. The council elects icy Council set up a part-time coordination offi ce two two of its members as spokespersons. In addition, months after its offi cial establishment. It is supported many committed citizens work in the committees “Ess- by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture and bare Stadt”(“edible city”), “FairWertbar” (“fair and recy- Consumer Protection. The Food Policy Council is a pro- clable”), “Bildung & Events”(“education & events”) and ject of the Transfer - Netzwerk nachhaltige Zukunft e.V. “Erzeuger-Verbraucher-Beziehung”(producer consumer association which also applied for funding for the coor- relations), which are open to all interested parties. The dination offi ce.

23 THE FRANKFURT FOOD POLICY COUNCIL 6.2

The Frankfurt Food Policy Council was founded in Au- (“other forms of consumerism”), and “Plastikfrei” (“plas- gust 2017. The steering committee consists of seven tic-free”) meet once a month. They are composed of people, including two spokespersons. It convenes every the chairman of the working group, a contact person six to eight weeks to organize and coordinate processes, and other members. Their tasks include the defi nition of it also defi nes the council structure, heads overarching goals, the development and implementation of projects, issues, acquires funds, and operates the offi ce which and a continuous update to the steering committee. All is located at the Association for Regional Agriculture working groups are represented in the steering com- and Nutrition (“Verein für regionale Landwirtschaft und mittee via their chairmen. In the plenary meeting, which Ernährung e.V.”). The working groups “Enrährungsbil- takes place once a year, all members of the council have dung” (“food education”), “Produktion & Vermarktung” the opportunity to vote. The steering committee is elect- (“production & marketing”), “Kommunikation & Praxist- ed every two years. ipps” (“communication & practical tips”), “Main-Mitta- gessen” (“Main lunch”), “Andere Formen des Konsums”

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24 THE BERLIN FOOD POLICY COUNCIL 6.3

The Berlin Food Policy Council was founded in April (“alternative city and regional planning”), “Bildung / Ge- 2016. It has a committee of spokespersons which usu- meinschaftsverpfl egung” (“education / communal ca- ally consists of about 14 people. These are elected for tering”), “Berlin-Brandenburg” (civil society network be- two years at the plenary meeting which takes place tween cities and surrounding areas) and “Berlin ist kein twice a year. The spokespersons organize the council’s Insel” (“Berlin is not an island”; political work) 45. The work, take on tasks of external representation, conduct leaders of the working groups are in contact with the dialogues with politicians, make important decisions full-time coordination offi ce, which in return is in close and are accountable to the other members. The coun- contact with the spokespersons. The coordination offi ce cil’s work is supported by the working groups which is supported by the Senate Administration for Justice, are set up according to interest and commitment. The Consumer Protection and Anti-Discrimination. A total of following working groups are currently active: “Lebens- around 100 committed citizens participate in the Berlin MittelPunkte” (“centers of life”) , “Die Wissen schafft” Food Policy Council. All important decisions are made (“science”), “Alternative Stadt- und Regionalplanung” according to the principle of majority voting.

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25 THE COLOGNE & SURROUNDING AREA FOOD POLICY COUNCIL 6.4

The Cologne & Surrounding Area Food Policy Council food trade”) as well as “Urbane Landwirtschaft / essbare was founded in March 2016 by the Taste of Heimat as- Stadt” (“urban agriculture / edible city”). The committees sociation. It consists of 30 members, one third from civil are open to anyone who would like to contribute on a society, one third from politics and city administration, long-term basis. Each committee elects two spokes- and one third from the business world. It meets once a people who automatically receive a seat on the council. quarter and is responsible for networking, exchange, and The council members, the chairman, and the coordinator advice. The members of the Food Policy Council elect make up the coordination team and take care of the “day- their chairperson for a period of four years. Many other to-day business”. Right from the start, the focus was on committed people from Cologne and its environs partici- close cooperation with the city administration—various pate in the committees “Regionalvermarktung” (“regional departments of the city administration as well as mem- marketing”), “Ernährungsbildung / Gemeinschaftsverp- bers of the city council are represented in the Food Pol- ﬂ egung” (“nutrition education / community catering”), icy Council and its committees. Important decisions are “Gastronomie & Lebensmittelhandwerk” (“gastronomy & made by majority vote.

26 THE MUNICH FOOD POLICY COUNCIL 6.5

The Munich Food Policy Council was founded in June Council not only have the right to vote on important de- 2018. After eleven moderated meetings of the steer- cisions, but also actively take inﬂ uence on processes. ing committee, the Münchner Ernährungsrat e.V. was This happens in teams which deal with a wide array of organized as a registered association. It is coordinat- topics. Depending on their ﬁ elds of interest, the mem- ed by the seven-member executive committee which bers can join the respective teams. A spokesperson is is dynamically elected at the annual plenary meeting. also appointed within each team to coordinate regular In addition it is responsible for representing the council meetings as well as serve as a mouthpiece to the ex- and for instigating dialogue. Beside the executive com- ecutive committee. The following teams are currently mittee and the general assembly there is also a mem- active in the Munich Food Policy Council: “GrünER” bers’ council which convenes on demand approximate- (“greener”), “LautER” (“louder”), “SchlauER” (“smart- ly every two months. Here, board members, members, er”), “GesündER” (“healthier”), “RegionalER” (“more re- and interested parties can catch up, discuss topics, and gional”), and “GrößER” (“larger”). obtain advice. The members of the Munich Food Policy

Gegründet: Juni 2018 Status: gemeinnützig

MITGLIEDERRAT MITGLIEDER Privat: 33 In Erweiterung und Ergänzung der Satzung Stand: Juli 2019 sind die Ziele des MünchnER in deren Päambel Organisationen: 47 spezifiziert festgelegt. Jedes Mitglied des Münchner Ernährungsrates stimmt somit diesen Zielen zu. Kommunikationsplattform Stand: Juli 2019 und Arbeitsebene

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TEAMS Wählt alle 2 Jahre den Vorstand (mindestens 3, maximal 7 Personen)

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27 7