Agenda - 01-19-2021; 8-h - Resolution in Support of NCACC Presidential Initiative to Promote Food System Resiliency

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RES-2021-005 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 3 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF NCACC PRESIDENTIAL INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCY WHEREAS, access to food is a basic human need and is vital to the well-being of a community; and WHEREAS, all 100 North Carolina counties are committed to ensuring the needs of their residents are met; and WHEREAS, food security, defined as reliable access to quality, affordable food, is vital to a thriving community and food insecurity threatens the fabric of a healthy society; and WHEREAS, according to the annual Map the Meal Gap study by Feeding America, conducted to improve understanding of food insecurity and food costs at the local level, the average food insecurity rate across North Carolina is 14 percent, and Feeding America projects that the rate will rise to 19.3 percent due to the pandemic; and WHEREAS, Orange County has a food insecurity rate of 10.8 percent, and this rate is predicted to rise to 13.6 percent; and WHEREAS, the current pandemic is further exacerbating the issue of food insecurity, and households are facing difficult decisions in making ends meet; and WHEREAS, the food insecurity rate in North Carolina is projected to rise to 19.3 percent due to the pandemic and the child food insecurity rate is projected to rise from 19.3 percent to 28.6 percent; and WHEREAS, according to state officials, agriculture and agribusiness account for 17% of all jobs in the state and an annual economic impact of $91.8 billion and is a vital aspect of the economy in North Carolina; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), under the direction of President Ronnie Smith, is leading a task force to address food system resiliency to help counties take actions to ensure that resources are getting to the people in need; and WHEREAS, the NCACC Task Force will be meeting to examine the various issues that go into creating and sustaining a resilient food system for North Carolina residents; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners jointly funds and participates in the Orange County Food Council, whose mission is to grow a sustainable and equitable local food system in Orange County, North Carolina, guided by values of a community-driven economy, food access, inclusivity, racial equity, and sustainability; and WHEREAS, by supporting our farmers, supply chains, agribusiness, food industry, and hungry families, counties can help build resilient communities; NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby resolve to support the work of the NCACC Task Force and will commit to examining the food system in Orange County and take steps to work in partnership with the Orange County Food Council and other local initiatives to further efforts that strengthen the system in the service of sustaining a thriving community. This the 19' day of January, 2021. Renee Price, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners