Food Access Councils seeks members, explores ways to support existing food security efforts

Food security was identified by Cook County Public Health and Human Services as a priority for the community in 2024. That year the county approved the establishment of a group to specifically address food access in the area.

The Food Access Council has been meeting monthly since the beginning of this year. Some of those meetings have focused on building the organization, like setting a mission and establishing bylaws. As those elements of the group have been solidified, Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager told WTIP that the group has turned its attention to what parts of Cook County’s food access landscape it can help support. The meetings, so far, have been attended by people representing the county and local food access groups, like the food shelf, the Northwoods Food Project, and Ruby’s Pantry. Representatives from other stakeholders groups like local grocery stores and the schools have also attended.

“It’s a wonderful group of people,” said Grinager. “I think what’s special about it is it brings people from all these different backgrounds together to talk about a shared topic of interest that’s also been identified as something from a public health perspective, that we need to focus on as a community.”

The group has established a stated purpose for the work it is doing through a mission and vision:

• Mission- The Cook County Food Access brings together partners to strengthen people’s ability to grow, access, and prepare food through educational programs, local services, and advocating for systems-level changes that reduce hunger and food insecurity.
• Vision- We envision a resilient food system where everyone in Cook County has regular access to healthy food

With an organizational structure in place, the Food Access Council is looking to establish an official membership. The group’s bylaws dictate that there will be seven voting board members, who will be required to attend meetings and steer the organization. Grinager said that conversations at the meetings have resulted in a list of food-related sectors that the group hopes might be represented on the board. That list includes schools, healthcare, local government, nonprofits, restaurants, grocery stores, food producers.

“The membership is really asking people to step forward who want to be involved at a deeper level. So anyone’s welcome to come to meetings, but by signing up to be a member, you’re really signing up to be more actively involved in some of the projects that the group hopes to take on,” Grinager said. She said that local community members can also apply for membership, even if they are not part of a group already involved in food access. “We’re looking for anyone who’s interested in supporting that mission and vision.”

Grinager said that for those who are interested in joining the group as a voting member, a short application is available on the county website. Those with questions can also call her at 218-387-3605.

As the Food Access Council moves into this next phase, they are already looking at ways to engage directly with existing access groups. While each meeting involves conversation about a variety of efforts and questions surrounding improving access, recently there has been a focus on the Grand Marais food shelf. Grinager explained that the Food Access Council is helping the food shelf explore how to pursue expanded access and food options, including fresh foods.

She pointed to this collaboration as an example of the type of partnership the council hopes to pursue, supporting the work that is already ongoing. “There’s a lot of passion, drive, and there’s a lot of recognition that this is a shared value- making sure that people in our hung in our community, aren’t food insecure and going without,” Grinager said.

While the ideas for work to support thus far have come from other food access organizations, Grinager said input from the public, especially those who have experienced food insecurity first hand, is important. “Depending on how you’re feeling about your own situation, it might feel intimidating to come to the group,” she said. “There’s a lot of, I think, compassion and openness, and we’re definitely welcoming the perspective of people who’ve experienced or are currently experiencing food insecurity, and ideas from that perspective I think would be really valuable to have.”

Food Access Council meetings are open to the public, and minutes from previous meetings are available on the county website. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Grinager said the August meeting will include establishing memberships based on the applications received by that time. She added, however, that in the event the council does not fill all seven seats for voting members by that date, they will continue to accept applications and discuss adding members.

Kirsten Wisniewski July 28, 2025