Food Collaborative

Our mission is to support the development of a healthy, functioning local food system, bringing food groups together and representing all parts of the community, including those not at the table.

We envision a community where citizens collaborate to identify gaps and take action to develop a healthy, connected local food system.

We value collaboration and a strategic plan utilizing existing resources with measurable outcomes that supports a sustainable healthy food system for all.

The Food Collaborative was created out of the Ozarks Regional Food Policy Council to focus on our local food system. The Collaborative brings stakeholders in the community together to focus on the following goals:

  • Increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for people accessing federal nutrition programs (including WIC, SNAP, CACFP, NSL and SFSP).
  • Identify points of access for food.
  • Work with institutions to develop policy around the goal of purchasing healthy food and/or local food. Monitor policy related to our mission.
  • Identify collaborative and cross-collaborative grant opportunities.
  • Create and promote education focused on food, waste, food maps, etc.

Ashley Krug serves as Chair and Mary Ellison serves as Vice-Chair of the Food Collaborative. The Collaborative meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 3:00 p.m. at Community Partnership of the Ozarks, 330 N. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, Mo.

Have questions or interested in joining?

Contact Sarah Osmer, Director of the Community Collaboratives, at sosmer@cpozarks.org or call 417-888-2020.