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Local Food Advisory Council

The Utah Local Food Advisory Council (LFAC) is a diverse group of stakeholders who work towards solutions and advocate for food systems that strengthen Utah’s food security, agriculture, food industries, and local economies through advocacy, education, and policy work. The LFAC is administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s Marketing and Economic Development Division. The council meets formally four times annually and includes four working groups focused on regulations, food security, agricultural land preservation, and production & distribution that meet more frequently. Information on upcoming meetings and events can be found below.

Stay up to date on news and events about the Local Food Advisory Council by the following the council’s Facebook page.


History: 

In 2017, the Utah State Legislature created the Local Food Advisory Council (LFAC) to develop ways to create vibrant local food economies, increase access to fresh local food, and support sustainable, vital agriculture operations throughout the state. 

The LFAC was created by state statute (4-2-6) to:

    • Build local food economies 
    • Benefit the state by creating jobs
    • Stimulate statewide economic development
    • Circulate money from local food sales within local communities 
    • Preserve open space
    • Support local family-owned farms
    • Preserve and protect the natural environment 
    • Increase consumer access to fresh and nutritious food 
    • Provide greater food security for state residents

LFAC Council Members: 

Member NameTitleOrganizationEmail
Sen. Luz EscamillaSenate Co-chairUtah Senate[email protected]
Rep. Mike KohlerHouse of Rep. (R) Co-chairUtah House[email protected]
Rep. Sahara HayesHouse of Rep. (D)Utah House[email protected]
Craig ButtarsCommissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and FoodUtah Department of Agriculture and Food[email protected]
Bjorn CarlsonLivestock Direct-to-Consumer Food Producer; Appointed by the Governor (1 of 2) Blue Tree Farms[email protected]
Gina CorniaAt large: Anti-Hunger Advocate Appointed by the GovernorUtahns Against Hunger[email protected]
Jack WilburCrop Direct-to-Consumer Food Producer; Appointed by the Governor (1 of 2)3 Squares Produce[email protected]
Janae DuncanUtah Department of Health and Human Services DesigneeUDHHS – Division Director for Disease Control[email protected]
Jordan RileyCrop Direct-to-Consumer Food Producer; Appointed by the Governor (1 of 2)Riley Farms[email protected]
Kelsey HallAt large: Academic with Expertise in Agriculture; Appointed by the GovernorUtah State University[email protected]
Laurie SeronFood Distributor; Appointed by the Governor[email protected]
Tamra JorgensonLivestock Direct-to-Consumer Food Producer; Appointed by the Governor (1 of 2) Cherry Creek Farms, LLC[email protected]
Colleen DickNonvoting; Appointed by the Local Food Advisory Council Co-ChairsRainbird Village[email protected]
Georgina Griffith-YatesNonvoting; Appointed by the Local Food Advisory Council Co-ChairsWasatch Community Gardens[email protected]
Ruby WardNonvoting; Appointed by the Local Food Advisory Council Co-ChairsUtah State University[email protected]
Symbria PattersonNonvoting, Appointed by the Local Food Advisory Council Co-ChairsRed Acre Center[email protected]

LFAC Workgroups:

    • Agriculture Land Preservation Workgroup
      • The purpose of this workgroup is to identify ways for the Local Food Advisory Council to support agriculture land preservation. 
    • Production and Distribution Workgroup
      • This workgroup will focus on finding ways to support and promote innovations in food production, distribution and access. This workgroup’s discussion and activities will focus on food hubs and the opportunities and challenges of hubs as an innovative distribution method.
    • Food Security
      • A strong local food system is essential to producing and distributing locally grown food that is fresher and more nutritious. Food security builds the local economy as money circulates to farmers and local businesses and connects producers to consumers- making communities stronger and healthier places.
    • Regulations Workgroup 

      • The purpose of this group is to identify potential legislation that addresses the area of regulation in connection  to the local agriculture and food industries.


LFAC Successes and Initiatives:

2021 Local Food Hub Grant

Food hubs are centralized distribution centers that connect locally produced fruit, vegetables, meat, etc. with broader regional markets. Food hubs aggregate lots of produce or goods from multiple producers, allowing small-to-medium sized farmers and ranchers to reach large, institutional buyers like restaurants, schools, hospitals, and more. Food hubs may also provide other support to businesses through means including marketing, cold storage, and minimal processing, but above all, they help farmers spend more time farming and maintaining viable operations by helping them gain access to larger markets that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Food hubs are a crucial part of local and regional food systems and are one of the reasons you see local tomatoes at your supermarket or find salads made with local greens on restaurant menus. They help small and mid-size farms grow their customer base by pooling products from many area farms and selling it to larger institutions including school districts, restaurant groups and more. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service lists more than 240 food hubs in its director and each of those food hubs is slightly different. In 2021, the LFAC supported the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food in receiving a one-time appropriation of $112,500 for the FY21 Local Food Hub Start Up and Development Fund. UDAF distributed two grants with this funding increasing local food access throughout the Wasatch Front.

A Win for Utah Farmers: A food hub provides a reliable distribution source for medium size and larger farms and aggregates products from smaller farms allowing them to enter wholesale markets.

A Win for Utah Consumers: Food hubs allow local restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals and schools  consistent access to local food, especially farm-fresh food. 

In 2021, the LFAC supported the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food in receiving a one-time appropriation of $112,500 for the FY21 Local Food Hub Start Up and Development Fund. UDAF distributed two grants with this funding increasing local food access throughout the Wasatch Front.


For more information, contact Mitch Garrett at (385) 549-9167 or [email protected]