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Board approves Food Policy Council bylaws, MOU with community foundation and reopens membership
Summary
The Board approved bylaws and an MOU enabling Blue Zones and the Lake County Community Foundation to support a new Food Policy Council, vacated existing council seats and reopened the application process.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved bylaws for a new County Food Policy Council, authorized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Lake County Community Foundation to serve as fiscal agent, and voted to vacate current council membership and reopen applications.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, who sponsored the agenda item, described the council's purpose as "to advance sustainable solutions for Lake County's local food and farm economies so that growers and eaters can thrive," language read into the record by Rebecca Harper of the Farm Bureau. Harper presented the council's strategic plan, emphasizing resilience, food access infrastructure, market development for local producers and partnerships with institutions such as schools and hospitals.
Greg Damron of Blue Zones Project, which has provided technical support, said the council seeks to avoid the short lifespan of prior efforts by linking the council to county oversight and securing long-term fiscal support. "We try to do something different this time," Damron said, describing Blue Zones' in-kind technical assistance and Adventist Health's support.
Board action and the MOU
The board approved the Food Policy Council bylaws as presented and then approved an amended MOU with Lake County Community Foundation (version 2, revised 06/02/2025). County counsel requested a signature-page change so the document is executed by the Lake County Community Foundation and the "County of Lake Food Policy Council." The approved MOU formalizes Lake County Community Foundation's role as fiscal agent and Blue Zones Project's staff support role to coordinate grants, contracts and operations.
The board then voted to vacate the council's existing membership list and reopen the application process so the council can reconstitute with members aligned to the strategic plan. Board staff said the council is composed of 11 members under the bylaws, including co-chairs, an executive committee and standing committee representatives, and that the MOU recognizes Blue Zones Project's interim support role.
Public comments and stakeholder participation
Public commenters urged inclusion of emergency food planning, school- and hospital-based procurement and tribal engagement. Tammy Alexey of the American Red Cross highlighted that emergency food planning is part of the council's work. A public commenter representing tribal interests urged the council to engage tribes on food sovereignty and contamination issues affecting tribal lands. Annette Camaloni of Lake County Community Foundation confirmed the foundation's willingness to act as fiscal agent.
Next steps
The board's votes (all actions carried 5-0) clear the way for the council to seek grants and organize work on food infrastructure, processing, workforce, school-based production and zoning and policy measures to support local food systems. The county will post the reopened application and the council will bring a plan for implementing the strategic plan and grant-seeking to future meetings.
