'Food Charter' Group to Meet in Eagan

Food deserts. Rising obesity. Malnutrition.

These are a few of the societal problems that the makers of the Minnesota Food Charter plan to take on, and Dakota County residents are invited to join in. Later this month, Valley Natural Foods is hosting a discussion about the Food Charter initiative and the public is invited to "voice their concerns about our food system and to discuss the changes needed to make the healthy choice the easy one for all Minnesotans." 

Resident feedback from this session and others will be used to develop the charter. So, just what is the Minnesota Food Charter?

The Minnesota Food Charter is a broad-based public process that will result in a document that ensures we have healthy, affordable and safe food. It will help us build legacy of health for future generations. Together we will understand where we need to go to improve access to healthy food and what it will take to get us there. When complete, this committee will make a draft of the Minnesota Food Charter available to the public for review and comment. 

Once complete, the charter will be used to guide state policy and environmental changes with an eye to improving food access. VNF's event is free and open to the public. It will take place on Monday, Aug. 26, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Eagan Community Center (Oasis Room, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan). Interested community members must register for the event online.