OFPC is a coalition of food system stakeholders convened for cross-sector collaboration to: cultivate awareness of policies and practices that reduce the inequities in Oakland’s food system, uplift community engagement, encourage civic engagement around food system policies and practices, and advocate for policies that build a justice-centered food system.

The Oakland Food Policy Council (OFPC) was established in 2008 to analyze the Oakland food system and recommend changes to make the system more equitable and sustainable. Since then, the council has coordinated between food system sectors; bringing underserved populations to the food policy table and recommending policies for a healthier, more prosperous city for all. Prior to OFPC’s establishment, no single body existed in Oakland dedicated to address the food system in its entirety. 

From OFPC’s inception as an organization, HOPE has always served as a close collaborator, from helping to create pathways for marginalized communities to turn their initiatives for community health into concrete policy instruments, to coalition efforts to research and produce three food systems reports to establish a foundation for OFPC, as well as formal partnerships to advance specific goals, as when the two organizations partnered to develop and advance a food policy agenda to increase food security, advance public health, promote local agriculture, and support community economic development and community ownership in Oakland. 

​Building on the historic partnership between HOPE and OFPC and the complementary overlap of HOPE and OFPC’s missions and strengths, in 2021, OFPC became a program of HOPE. This partnership increases the two organizations’ collective impact through the strengths and opportunities both HOPE and OFPC bring to the table and has grown our collective capacity to further engage in community-centered policy change.

Mission - The Oakland Food Policy Council advances equity and justice in Oakland’s food system by centering the needs and voices of people of color and low-income communities. 

Vision - Oakland Food Policy Council envisions a vibrant and equitable food system. We believe everyone should have access to healthy, affordable, culturally relevant food that is produced sustainably and ethically. 

We envision Oakland as a city that invests in food sovereignty and prioritizes the health and economic vitality of people of color and low-income communities, who have been disproportionately impacted by health disparities and long-term economic divestment. 
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We envision an Oakland that centers the cultural diversity that is the cornerstone of its food system, ensures that community benefits are equitably distributed, and enables inclusive civic leadership.

Working Groups

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Soda Tax Adoption & Implementation Working Group ​

OFPC was among many local stakeholder groups campaigning for the passage of Measure HH, the Oakland Soda Tax, in November of 2016. Immediately after the measure was approved by voters, OFPC established a working group within the council focused on ensuring a transparent and equitable administration of the soda tax, supporting the establishment of the Community Advisory Board, and supporting the efforts of the Sugar Freedom Project. 

OFPC and Sugar Freedom Project created OaklandSodaTaxNews.org, a website informing residents of Oakland about the soda tax policy, how much revenue is being raised, and advocacy efforts and opportunities.
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OFPC has also partnered with and supported the development of the Sugar Freedom Project, a collaborative project between multiple East Oakland community organizations aimed at engaging residents in areas targeted by the beverage industry in a campaign to shift culture around food, diet, and health. OFPC members canvassed East Oakland neighborhoods to conduct a community survey about the soda tax and helped prepare an evidence-based report of the results, shared publicly at a Community Advisory Board meeting. OFPC also brought attention to the misinformation campaign initiated by the beverage industry by placing stickers and placards at stores making false claims about the nature of the soda tax.

Procurement Working Group

The Good Food Purchasing Policy (GFPP) is a set of standards that aims to shift food procurement by food procurement by public institutions (schools, hospitals, municipalities, etc.) to increase impact on five values categories: Local Economies, Nutrition, Valued Workforce, Environmental Sustainability, and Animal Welfare. 

OFPC’s Procurement Working Group has focused on monitoring and accountability for the district’s participation in the program, amplifying communications about the districts efforts to improve procurement, and general support for nutrition services.

Community Engagement Committee

This committee was formed to ensure that OFPC’s work is creating pathways for all Oakland residents to engage with food policy in the city. As part of its work, monthly meetings included training current councilmembers to understand their own and the council’s collective privilege in order to better understand their interactions with the larger Oakland community. 
The committee has also worked to identify opportunities for OFPC members to contribute to efforts led by low-income and marginalized community members related to food justice, in particular in areas of the city that OFPC members do not live in or represent. Recent Community Engagement events include urban farm workdays and food distribution with community-based organizations.

Past Working Groups include: 

• Urban Ag Working Group/publication/advocacy 
• Economic Security and Development Working Group 
• Food Access Working Group