- 2012 Faith Based Survey
- 2012 Resident Survey
- 2012 Stakeholder Survey
- 2015 Food Access Assessment
- 2016 Feeding Agency Survey Questionnaire
- 2016 Feeding Agency Survey Results
- 2016 Johnson County Food Assessment

Health Division
Consumers in Johnson County want to purchase locally-grown food products, yet we have a $177 million unmet demand for local food in our region. Johnson County is well positioned to support this rising demand by advancing our local food economy.
Economic Benefits
Buying locally-grown food keeps a greater proportion—25% more—of every food dollar in the local economy ($.65 vs $.40, respectively). This helps farmers grow their business, enables them to expand their employment of local farm laborers, and helps prevent the loss of agricultural land in Johnson and surrounding counties.
Health Benefits
The amount of time between harvest and consumption of many fruits and vegetables affects its nutrient content and composition. When locally-grown food is consumed within a shorter harvest-to-consumption timeframe, it retains more of its nutritional value. Research also hows that buying local is correlated with a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables.
1. Only 101 of our 91,000 farm acres currently grow fruits and/or vegetables | 2. A significant amount of our land (45%) is zoned for agricultural purposes. | 3. Proximity to farmers markets and other urban core positions us well for food distribution | 4. 243 farms in our country each profited less than $2,500 in 2012 | 5. The average age of farmers in our country is 60.02 years old. |
Johnson County Food Policy Council will conduct a food policy audit of Johnson County policies at county government, city government and institutional levels that affect the production, sourcing, purchasing and consumption of local food. Policy support ensures our agriculture land is profitable for farmers while still meeting local needs.
Save the Food Johnson County - the Johnson County Food Policy Council (FPC) is teaming up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Ad Council to launch their national public service campaign SAVE THE FOOD that aims to combat wasted food from its largest source - consumers - by raising awareness and changing behavior.
JOHNSON COUNTY is served by several large healthcare organizations with innumerable clinics, hundreds of healthcare providers and several safety net organizations. Even with such a robust network of organizations and programs aimed at addressing the food insecurity problem, the need for healthy, affordable food is still challenging.
As healthcare delivery moves towards a population health paradigm they are recognizing the significance of addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). SDOH’s are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Research shows only a portion of health can be attributed to medical/clinical care.
To improve the health of the communities they serve, hospitals must recognize and address the behavioral, socio-economic and environmental factors that contribute to health and how it affects food insecurity of our community.
Save the Food Johnson County - the Johnson County Food Policy Council (FPC) is teaming up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Ad Council to launch their national public service campaign SAVE THE FOOD that aims to combat wasted food from its largest source - consumers - by raising awareness and changing behavior.
1. PHYSICAL HEALTH Food consumed closer |
2. CHOICE Food grown at |
3. YOUTH Youth who garden |
4. ECONOMICS Youth who garden |
HOME GARDENING benefits you and your family, our society and community, and our environment.
HOME GARDENS TAKE MANY FORMS come in an array of styles, types and sizes, and may be located anywhere from walls to roofs, patios and backyards. Important factors to consider when planning your home garden include sunlight, water, convenience (or nearness to home), air, drainage and soil.
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Having clear and concise guidelines around gardening can help clear-up confusion and misconception among homeowners of HOA gardening restrictions |
Save the Food Johnson County - the Johnson County Food Policy Council (FPC) is teaming up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Ad Council to launch their national public service campaign SAVE THE FOOD that aims to combat wasted food from its largest source - consumers - by raising awareness and changing behavior.
It’s about how our food system uses a considerable amount of our resources. Wasted food translates to $218 billion lost. The financial cost of food waste is greatest for consumers since they pay retail prices for food.
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Food is a major contributor to the waste going into area landfills. A 2016 study of landfill waste calculated that 23% of Johnson County waste is food. We want a community where people and animals are fed before landfills. |
![]() Why Do We Waste? |
![]() What You Can Do at Home |
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Save the Food Johnson County - the Johnson County Food Policy Council (FPC) is teaming up with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Ad Council to launch their national public service campaign SAVE THE FOOD that aims to combat wasted food from its largest source - consumers - by raising awareness and changing behavior.
The Johnson County Food Policy Council serves an advisory body to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and other decision makers in Johnson County that review and recommend policies to strengthen the local food economy and improve access to healthy and nutritious food.
Vision:
The Vision of Johnson County Food Policy Council is to improve the health and well-being of citizens, communities and the environment of Johnson County.
Mission:
The mission of the Johnson County Food Policy Council is to improve the health and well-being of individuals, the community and our environment through a just, equitable and sustainable food system in Johnson County. Through policy recommendations, education and collaborations, we strive to increase access to healthful food that is locally produced when available.
All Food Policy Council meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Olathe JCDHE location. If you need agenda and/or meeting minutes from previous meetings, please contact Renee Bryant.
2020 Meeting Dates:
No March meeting
April 21, 2020 via Zoom
The next meeting is Tuesday, June 16, 2020 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom. Please email [email protected] for participation information.
2019 Meeting Dates:
2019 Members List
Johnson County Food Policy Council {JCFPC) Members - Johnson County Department of Health and Environment {JCDHE)
Renee Bryant, JCFPC Coordinator, JCDHE
Council Members:
Adrienne Moore Baxter – Chair
Title: Registered Dietitian/Consultant
Affiliation: Food Talk Nutrition Consulting
Angela Parks
Title: Teen Services Supervisor
Affiliation: Olathe Public Library
Brian Alferman
Title: Sustainability Program Manager
Affiliation: JCDHE
Craig Wood
Title: Solid Waste Management Coordinator
Affiliation: JCDHE
Claire Sinovic
Title: Nutritional Health Coach
Affiliation: Natural Grocers
Jeanette Metzler
Title: Community Benefit Manager
Affiliation: Shawnee Mission Health
Jenny Doty
Title: Recreation Supervisor
Affiliation: City of Lenexa Parks and Recreation Department
Joan Leavens
Title: Sustainability, Community Engagement Coordinator
Affiliation: Shawnee Mission School District
Karen Siebert
Title: Public Policy/Advocacy Advisor
Affiliation: Harvesters-The Community Food Network
Mary Lou Jaramillo – Secretary
Title: Project Consultant, Olathe Latino Coalition
Affiliation: Significant Matters, Inc.
Michael Rea - Vice Chair
Title: Sustainability Project Manager
Affiliation: Johnson County Community College
Rachael McGinnis Millsap
Title: Director
Affiliation: Farm to School Academy, KC Healthy Kids
Rebecca Clark
Title: Owner/Operator
Affiliation: Bo Ling's Chinese Restaurants
Tara Markley
Title: Director
Affiliation: Johnson County K-State Research and Extension
Johnson County Food Policy Council Advisory Member:
Penny Harrell - Physical Scientist - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Jim Callier - Chief - Resource Conservation and Materials Management Section - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
JCDHE Staff:
Barbara Mitchell - Community Health Division Director, PIO - JCDHE
Carey Yale - Administrative Coordinator - JCDHE
Mary Beverly - Deputy Director - JCDHE
Ashley Follett - Community Information Coordinator - JCDHE
The Johnson County Food Policy Council (FPC) serves as an advisory body that reviews and recommends policies to the Board of County Commissioners and other pertinent entities to strengthen the local food economy and improve access to healthy and nutritious food.
The mission of the Johnson County Food Policy Council is to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, the community and our environment through a just, equitable and sustainable food system in Johnson County.
Through policy recommendations, education and collaborations, we strive to increase access to healthful food that is locally produced when available.
The Johnson County Food Policy Council will:
Members of the Johnson County Food Policy Council will: