Report on the City of Tumwater’s Food System Plan and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Strategic Context

The City of Tumwater is advancing the development of a comprehensive food system plan designed to combat food insecurity and align with global sustainability targets. In a meeting on July 8, the City Council reviewed draft goals and policies informed by a consultant’s assessment of the existing food system. This initiative is particularly timely, as anticipated changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are expected to increase strain on local food support systems, directly impacting progress toward SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Assessment Methodology and Stakeholder Engagement

An initial assessment, led by consultant Rebeca Potasnik, was conducted to inform the plan’s development. The methodology emphasized a multi-stakeholder approach, consistent with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by engaging 28 local experts through interviews and conducting an in-depth survey. The assessment analyzed key developments, challenges, and resources across multiple sectors integral to a sustainable food system:

• Processors and Producers
• Retail and Distribution
• Waste Reduction and Recovery
• Public Health and Nutrition
• Education and Workforce
• Food Access and Security
• Land Use

Proposed Goals for a Sustainable Food System

The assessment informed the drafting of three primary goals, each directly contributing to specific Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Provide access to fresh, nutritious, culturally appropriate food for all members of the community. This goal is fundamental to achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and promoting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
2. Reduce food waste. This objective directly addresses SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), particularly Target 12.3, and supports the creation of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
3. Support local food processing and production. This goal fosters local economic vitality in line with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and builds resilient, sustainable production patterns as outlined in SDG 12.

Policy Framework for SDG Implementation

A framework of supporting policies has been proposed to operationalize the plan’s goals and embed SDG principles into municipal action.

Policies Supporting Goal 1: Food Access and Nutrition

• Strengthen regional collaboration to enhance food security, reflecting the principles of SDG 17.
• Increase opportunities for community self-reliance in food production.
• Support land use policies that improve equitable access to food, contributing to SDG 11.

Policies Supporting Goal 2: Waste Reduction

• Work with Thurston County on educational efforts regarding food waste, in line with SDG 12.
• Establish partnerships for food recovery and redistribution systems, a key strategy for achieving both SDG 2 and SDG 12.

Policies Supporting Goal 3: Local Production

• Reduce barriers and provide incentives for local food producers and processors, stimulating progress toward SDG 8.
• Strengthen local food system infrastructure to build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.

Next Steps and Finalization

The assessment is currently under review by the experts who were initially interviewed. Following a legal review of the proposed policies, city staff will provide an updated report to the City Council in September. Once finalized, this policy framework will guide the development of specific implementation actions to achieve the goals of the food plan, positioning Tumwater as a leader in creating a sustainable and equitable urban food system.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article’s central theme is the City of Tumwater’s food system plan, which aims to combat food insecurity, ensure access to nutritious food, and support local food production.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The initiative is a city-level plan focused on creating a resilient and sustainable local food system, addressing issues like land use and waste management within the community.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: A key goal of the plan is to “Reduce food waste,” which directly aligns with promoting sustainable consumption patterns.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights the collaborative nature of the plan’s development, involving consultants, local experts, various city committees, and regional partners like Thurston County.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
    
    Explanation: The plan’s primary goal is to “Provide access to fresh, nutritious, culturally appropriate food for all members of the community.” The article also expresses concern over upcoming changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the potential for “a huge swath of Washingtonian families” to be kicked off the program, increasing strain on food banks and highlighting the focus on vulnerable, low-income populations.
  • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
    
    Explanation: The third goal of the plan is to “Support local food processing and production.” Policies to achieve this include “reducing barriers, providing incentives, [and] strengthening the infrastructure,” which are all measures to build a more sustainable and resilient local food production system.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
    
    Explanation: The plan includes policies for “strengthening regional collaboration” and supporting local producers. This fosters connections between the city of Tumwater (urban) and its surrounding food producers (peri-urban/rural), which is a core component of this target.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
    
    Explanation: The second goal of the food system plan is explicitly to “Reduce food waste.” The policies mentioned to achieve this, such as “educational efforts” and developing “food recovery and redistribution systems,” directly contribute to this target.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
    
    Explanation: The article details the multi-stakeholder process used to develop the plan. This includes hiring a consultant, interviewing “28 people from various sectors,” conducting a survey, and getting input from the city’s planning commission and general government committee. It also mentions future collaboration with “Thurston County” and “other partners.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• For Target 2.1 (End Hunger)

  • Implied Indicator: Prevalence of food insecurity and reliance on food assistance.
    
    Explanation: The article’s concern about families being removed from SNAP and the subsequent increase in demand on food banks implies that progress could be measured by tracking the number of residents using these services. A reduction in the number of people needing food banks would indicate success.

• For Target 12.3 (Reduce Food Waste)

  • Implied Indicator: Amount of food recovered and redistributed.
    
    Explanation: The policy to work with partners on “food recovery and redistribution systems” suggests that a key metric for success will be the volume or value of food that is saved from becoming waste and redirected to those in need.

• For Target 2.4 (Support Local Production)

  • Implied Indicator: Growth in the local food sector.
    
    Explanation: The goal to “Support local food processing and production” through policies like “reducing barriers” and “providing incentives” implies that progress would be measured by an increase in the number of local food businesses or the volume of food produced and processed within the region.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thejoltnews.com