Across the country, thousands of individuals are working on and creating strategies for food systems change. The Food Systems Leadership Network offers topical Communities of Practice (CoP) for smaller subsets of the FSLN membership to build relationships and strengthen their individual and collective knowledge around a specific topic. Through monthly CoP meetings facilitated by Wallace Center staff and FSLN members, food systems leaders have a space to meet others in this work, exchange ideas and expertise, and bring learnings back to their community. Current CoPs are:
Food Safety and Quality
The Food Safety and Quality Community of Practice is a space for practitioners that are helping farm and food businesses access scale-appropriate, culturally-appropriate food safety trainings, technical assistance, and audit services. If you are interested in starting a GroupGAP process, are confused by FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) water-testing requirements, or want to know how to talk to buyers or farmers about food safety – this group is for you.
Network Stewards
The Network Stewards Community of Practice is a space for people who lead and manage food systems networks, alliances, councils, and similar entities to come together and build relationships with each other, troubleshoot network development challenges, and brainstorm strategies for creating and sustaining impactful networks.
Value Chain Coordination
Value Chain Coordination is the development of soft infrastructure, like relationships, networks and information sharing channels, that creates thriving and sustainable regional food economies. The VCC Community of Practice is a place for those doing the multi-faceted work of value chain coordination to connect and build relationships, share knowledge, ideas and innovations, and work through common challenges.
Farm to Food Assistance
The Farm to Food Assistance Community of Practice is a space for those providing healthy, affordable, and/or free meals to underserved communities while continuing to compensate farmers fairly to come together, share learnings, and access technical assistance.
Years Active: 2017 – present