Friday, October 2, 2026
The Olympia City Council is scheduled to discuss the development of a local food systems plan to improve food security and strengthen local agriculture.
Under the proposed $245,000 initiative, the city would allocate $50,000 from the Council Goal Fund and $195,000 from Economic Development Reserves to create a comprehensive plan that would guide future policies, programs, partnerships, and investments related to a local food system. The city council meets at 6 p.m. at Olympia City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
In a referral sponsored by Council member Dani Madrone, she noted food security has gained attention in recent years amid threats to federal food assistance, pandemic-related supply disruptions and the city’s purchase of Spooner’s Farm for soccer fields.
“Issues surrounding food security often rise to the surface during a crisis, but there are actions the city can take that can bolster the local food system and soften the impacts when there are disruptions,” the referral states.
The city has made some long-standing investments, including Olympia Farmers Market and community gardens at Sunrise Park and Yauger Park. However, the referral states goals related to local food production, urban agriculture and food security have been “largely unaddressed.”
The proposed local food systems plan would build on existing efforts by assessing community needs, identifying gaps, and establishing a coordinated strategy for future policies, programs and investments.
The planning process would involve residents, local organizations and food system partners.
According to a staff report, the plan would aim to improve access to healthy and affordable food, strengthen local economic opportunities and support community food production. It would also provide opportunities for historically underserved communities to participate in the planning and implementation process.
Representatives from several neighborhood associations, the Thurston County Food Bank, GRuB, Olympia Co-op and other community organizations have expressed support for the project and a desire to participate in its development.
If the plan is approved, city staff would begin developing a community-informed strategy designed to strengthen Olympia’s local food system and improve long-term food security for residents.
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Honestyandrealityguy
Wouldn't it be better to find a solution for the homeless, so they get to work and we don't have to pay for them anymore? Common sense please.
Saturday, August 8 Report this
Callie
My out of town guest was thrilled to be able to buy local greens. (I took her to the Farmer's Market.)
I have gardened when I was younger and more able, now I'm glad I can support people who are growing thing around here.
Saturday, August 8 Report this
SC4011
I hope this is not $245k spent for someone to generate a ChatGPT report.
I’m not trying to be negative, that is a lot of money and results should be expected.
Saturday, August 8 Report this
ThomasPain
Just flushing $245,000 down the toilet. Food security is not something the City should be investing in, it's a nebulous concept and any full scale interruption in the local food supply system is part of a border crisis that is not solvable with the resources at the city's disposal anyways. This is 100% just a gift to a politically connected non profit slathered in enough progressive messaging to avoid pushback.
Saturday, August 8 Report this
JulesJames
A quarter million dollars, so a city council person can put an accomplishment on their campaign brochure. Clean up The Jungle. That will reduce retail theft. That lowers food prices.
Saturday, August 8 Report this
William M
Too much money for too little in return. Did Olympia have a food security issue during COVID that the city could address? Nationwide systemic problems are not something the city can address. Olympia has pressing problems like the Jungle that need to be addressed. Whether you lean left or right politically, one common objective should be commonsense fiscal management. A well run city government should have a prioritized list of projects that they need to fund. Additional items need to get boarded to see where they fit in the prioritized list to avoid the good idea fairy derailing funding efforts from priorities.
Sunday, August 9 Report this
Positivity
$245,000 seems like a lot of money, maybe too much, for this project. Does the project implement goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan. If not, why not and will it become part of the Comprehensive Plan? Why can't the organizations who support the project do the project themselves? Will the work be performed by City staff or will a consultant be hired? When would the project start and when would the product(s) be deliverable? Will there be detailed action steps included in the plan along with potential costs and sources of funding for their implementation? I can't help but wonder of this money could be better used to help close the jungle? William M's question needs to be answered: "Did Olympia have a food security issue during COVID...? "
Monday, August 10 Report this
tolerd
The city should only invest in a plan IF they are actually going to invest in implementing the plan. If you don't have implementation in your budget, don't bother with a plan, please! There are too many plans that sit on a shelf.
The Olympia Food Co-op is truly the anchor of a sustainable food susytem and let's hope the city supports those efforts as well as GruB.
Monday, August 10 Report this