Council approves expansion of Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Board to add equity seats

Columbus City Council voted to expand the Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Board, adding three voting seats dedicated to racial and health equity and increasing board membership to 15.

Councilmember (sponsoring) introduced Resolution 0164X-2025 to expand the board and stagger three‑year terms. The change adds three members appointed by the food board with expertise in human services, public health, economic development, community planning and racial and health equity; the resolution makes those members voting participants in the board’s deliberations.

Speakers at the dais included Yolanda Owens, executive director of Local Matters and a steering‑committee member of the Franklin County Local Food Council, who urged adoption and said expansion would institutionalize equity and ensure ‘‘those most impacted by food insecurity have a meaningful voice.’’ Councilmembers noted the partnership with Franklin County and the board of commissioners and framed the move as aligning city governance with the 2016 Columbus and Franklin County Local Food Action Plan.

Councilmember moved for adoption after questions; the clerk called the roll and the resolution was adopted. The action follows a county resolution in 2024 and is intended to create a permanent governance structure that centers equity in local food-system decision making.

Ending: The board expansion will be implemented through appointments and will be reflected in board bylaws and city coordination; operational details on appointment timing and onboarding were discussed as next steps in committee and with county partners.