The Next Steps for L.A.'s Local Food Policy and Photos from Today's Farmers Market Celebration

The Mayor awards the Farmers' Markets with a City certificate, and is joined by many celebrated local chefs. (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist)

Earlier at today's 30th Anniversary of local farmers markets, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the creation of a food policy task force that will provide a report and recommendations in the next six months on a city food policy council and a foodshed assessment. The group, which has not been chosen yet, will look into issues such as urban agriculture and community gardens, food access/transportation and level of regional self sufficiency in food production (see a full list here).

The food policy task force will be chosen by a Steering Committee, according to the Mayor's office. "We expect the total membership will be about 12, including the steering committee members," explained spokesperson Casey Hernandez, "and they will be representative of the various interests in food policy, including fresh food access, school nutrition, community gardens, urban agriculture, sustainable agriculture, local food initiatives, and our connection to our rural neighbors."

That Steering Commitee is made up of Public Works Commissioner Paula Daniels, Bob Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Urban Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College and Bruce Saito, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. The three will soon meet to form the task force that will research and recommend policies for a more sustainable city.