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RES - 2021 -046 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF <br /> AGRICULTURE - REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS PARTNERSHIP GRANT <br /> APPLICATION BY TRIANGLE J COUNCIL OF GOVERMENTS <br /> WHEREAS , exacerbated by COVID , the fragmented realities of the Triangle region ' s <br /> complex food system have solidified the need to cultivate a new narrative between <br /> regional consumers and a regional food system community of practice ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the Triangle , as one of the nation ' s fastest growing regions , needs a <br /> collaborative , regional approach to growing a more consistent , resilient , and equitable <br /> food system ; and <br /> WHEREAS , through such practices as storytelling , capacity building , and creating a <br /> shared framework for long -term planning , representation of marginalized populations <br /> within the food system can be amplified and strengthened ; and <br /> WHEREAS , to address all of these issues , the Triangle J Council of Governments is <br /> leading the creation of a grant proposal to the U . S . Department of Agriculture to develop <br /> a proactive and collaborative planning process for creating a regional framework for food <br /> systems thinking in the region ; and <br /> WHEREAS , Orange County representatives are part of the support team contributing to <br /> the grant proposal ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the proposal will outline a structure and process for creating regional <br /> partnerships designed to coordinate the diverse entities working on various aspects of <br /> regional food system work , proposing to involve entities not currently working on such <br /> efforts but that should be doing so ; and <br /> WHEREAS , a regional strategic plan will be proposed to focus on standardizing and <br /> prioritizing goals and action plans , strengthening opportunities to augment regional <br /> partnerships , leverage funding sources , reduce duplication , and offer economies of scale ; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS , the strategic plan will promote equity and inclusivity , implementing strategies <br /> to effectively address racial , income , and geographic disparities associated with food and <br /> food systems planning in the region ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the participation of Orange County and other local governments will help <br /> address . equity as it relates to the intersections between food system planning and <br /> economic development , housing , transportation , natural resources , and clean energy ; <br /> and <br />