Friday, November 13, 2026

Latest from Food Politics: Weekend reading: Food Policy Councils

Nessa Richman.   Food Policy Councils: Building Civic Engagement and Community Well-Being.   Routledge, 2026. This one was sent to me for a blurb, which I was happy to do: Food Policy Councils is essential reading for anyone who wants to effectively ...
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By Marion Nestle

Weekend reading: Food Policy Councils

Nessa Richman.  Food Policy Councils: Building Civic Engagement and Community Well-Being.  Routledge, 2026.

This one was sent to me for a blurb, which I was happy to do:

Food Policy Councils is essential reading for anyone who wants to effectively advocate for food systems change.  It explains how food council advocacy can help build community while working toward needed changes.  Best, it takes readers step-by-step through everything required to set goals, recruit allies, and conduct successful campaigns.  It’s a treasure!

Nessa Richman is the executive director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council.  She knows the drill.

From the Introduction:

Food Policy Councils (FPCs) are a critical part of the solution.  They provide a venue for people from different walks of life—farmers, fishers, grocers, food access workers, food justice advocates, and others—to come together to find common ground and collaborate to make a positive difference in local food systems.  FPCs take the long view, and work through democratic means to secure essential gains that, over time, can produce major changes…Civic engagement helps people work cross sometimes profound differences, and to recognize shared values and build community….[It] ensures governments are aware of and responsive to citizen input when forming the policies that impact their residents’ security, prosperity, and well being.

From the chapter on building a network:

Start with a Check-In Question. The question does not have to be profound, but it should help the people in the room connect on a personal level. “What is one word to describe how you are feeling as you come into our meeting today?” or “What is one thing you did over the weekend that brought you joy?” or “What is the most recent locally grown or made food you ate?” can help set a personal tone that disarms some tendencies to treat other people at the table as potential adversaries. Even in completely friendly groups, a Check-In Question helps level-set and reduce stress levels.

Food policy councils are a great way to start getting food systems improvements into local areas.  Go for it!

The post Weekend reading: Food Policy Councils appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Now Available: What to Eat Now

My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out!

It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously.

For more information and to order, click here.

You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs.


​​​​​​​

Marion Nestle

Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita


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Thursday, November 12, 2026

Latest from Food Politics: Cyber attacks on refrigerators? Oops!

I first learned about cyber attacks on refrigerators (Really?   You have to be kidding. ) from FoodNavigator: European supermarket fridges hit with suspected cyber attack: Supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg and Ireland have reportedly been ...
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By Marion Nestle

Cyber attacks on refrigerators? Oops!

I first learned about cyber attacks on refrigerators (Really?  You have to be kidding.) from FoodNavigator:

  • European supermarket fridges hit with suspected cyber attack: Supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg and Ireland have reportedly been affected. Read more
  • French supermarket fridges cyber attack: What it means for F&B: After cyber criminals took control of supermarket fridges across France, experts warn no part of the food supply chain is immune. Read more.  
  • Cyberattacks surge as food and beverage becomes prime target: From suppliers to retailers, no part of the food and beverage industry is safe as cyber attacks escalate.

Since those accounts are behind paywalls, I checked Politico’s analysis: US agencies issue warning after spate of cyberattacks on refrigerators.

Pro-Russian hacktivist groups claimed responsibility for the spree of attacks on refrigerators in European grocery stores in France, Estonia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and Romania.

Federal officials have issued a fact sheet: US Government Partners Urge Hardening Industrial Refrigeration and Cold Chain Monitoring Systems.

Comment: I never imagined I would ever be writing a sentence like this one: Get your refrigerator off the Internet!

 

The post Cyber attacks on refrigerators? Oops! appeared first on Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Now Available: What to Eat Now

My new book, What to Eat Now, is officially out!

It's both a field guide to food shopping in America and a reflection on how to eat well—and deliciously.

For more information and to order, click here.

You can explore the full archive of this (almost) daily blog at foodpolitics.com, where you'll also find information about my books, articles, media interviews, upcoming lectures, favorite resources, and FAQs.


​​​​​​​

Marion Nestle

Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, Emerita


© Marion Nestle. You're receiving this email because you've signed up to receive updates from us.

If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe.


Latest from Food Politics: Weekend reading: Food Policy Councils

Nessa Richman.   Food Policy Councils: Building Civic Engagement and Community Well-Being.   Routledge, 2026. This one was sent to me for a ...