Oakland Food Policy Council

OFPC Membership Applications Overview

Membership Application can be completed here. 

Youth Membership Application can be completed here. 

Please be aware that once you begin the application process, you must complete it before navigating away from the site.

The Oakland Food Policy Council is made up of representatives of all sectors of the food system, with 21 members representing the following "working communities": (application downloadable here)

• Business Community
• Labor Representatives
• Community Organizations, Residents, and Youth
• Rural and Regional Organizations
• Health and Education Organizations
• Local Governance

Oakland Food Policy Council members participate in ten council meetings each year (on the third Thursday of every month at 5:00 pm, except November and December). Each OFPC monthly meeting includes a work group meeting with a full council report back. OFPC meeting attendance is required 80% of the time. There will be additional assignments and/or meetings outside of regularly scheduled OFPC meetings. Work groups include:

• Neighborhood Innovations
• City Innovations
• Regional and State Innovations
• Development and Outreach
• Fundraising and Financing
• Data Management and Research

Adult OFPC members serve three-year terms, and may re-apply at the end of their term. Youth OFPC members will serve one-year terms, and may re-apply at the end of their term. Term limits TBD.

A new member orientation will be held on September 13, 2012 at 5:00 pm, and new members will attend the September 20, 2012 OFPC meeting.

OFPC Membership Requirements

1. Oakland residence and/or employment in Oakland, or in the case of regional/rural organizations, strong interest/investment in the Oakland food system.

2. Attendance at 80% of monthly meetings, plus a strong commitment to work between meetings.

3. Commitment to transforming the Oakland food system into an equitable and sustainable system.

4. Representation of one of the five food system sectors (production, processing, distribution, consumption, waste management) and one of the following “working communities”: a. Business Community; b. Labor Representatives; c. Community Organizations and Residents; d. Rural and Regional Organizations; e. Health and Education Organizations; f. Local Governance

5. Respect for the complexity and sensitivity of the OFPC’s work with diverse partners, and appreciation for the need for personal and group skills in diversity management, problem-solving, decision making, and “getting to yes”.

6. Commitment to reaching out to a wide variety of people and entities within your “working community” to ensure you understand their needs and what they have to offer.

7. Commitment to working in the public interest. OFPC members are expected to bring certain expertise to the table for the benefit of the Oakland food system, rather than to directly represent any organizations they may be affiliated with.

Other Resources

The OFPC's history
About the OFPC
The OFPC's mission and goals
Tools and information already available to the OFPC
The OFPC's policy priorities for 2010
Frequently Asked Questions about OFPC membership

Questions?

Contact the OFPC Coordinator, Esperanza Pallana
epallana.ofpc@oaklandfood.org | 510-654-4400 x233

You can also review answers to some frequently asked questions.