Why Are Food System Workers Excluded from Local Food Policy Councils?

Author(s)/Creator(s)

• Frank Sarfo
• Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern
• Jonnell A. Robinson

Document Type

Research Brief

Date

8-20-2025

Keywords

Food system workers; labor equity; Food Policy Councils; frontline workers; farm labor; fair labor practices; food justice; local food governance; worker advocacy; sustainable food systems, briefs

Language

Eng

Disciplines

International and Community Nutrition

Description/Abstract

This brief summarizes findings from our study that used national survey data of FPCs as well as focus groups and interviews with over 25 FPC representatives and leaders to examine the challenges and barriers that have limited FPCs’ engagement with labor issues. We also identify key obstacles to labor advocacy and offer practical recommendations for integrating labor equity into local food policy efforts.

Recommended Citation

Sarfo, Frank; Minkoff-Zern, Laura-Anne; and Robinson, Jonnell A., "Why Are Food System Workers Excluded from Local Food Policy Councils?" (2025). The Lender Center for Social Justice. 81.
https://surface.syr.edu/lender/81

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.