New york city Food Policy Alliance

The New York City Food Policy Alliance (NYCFPA) is a network of NYC food system stakeholders and a catalyst for change. We accomplish this by engaging collaboratively and intentionally across sectors to foster relationships, advance education, and advocate for policies that ensure equitable access to a healthy, just, resilient, and sustainable food system. Alliance members bring diverse expertise to the table, representing sectors across the food system, including sustainable agriculture, public health, food and nutrition security, local food economies, commercial food and hospitality, community development and urban planning, workforce development and labor, and policy and advocacy.

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve convened community partners to advance policies and public funding that would ensure all New Yorkers have access to fresh and healthy food they need, support small food businesses and food system nonprofits in safely serving their communities, and maintain a resilient regional food and farm system. Over time, the Alliance became a central organizing hub for community food leaders and nonprofits to drive policy change and build community power. Our recommendations helped shape New York City’s 10-Year Food Policy Plan.

In 2022, with support from the New York Health Foundation, Alliance members began a collaborative effort to evolve our structure into the city’s first-ever Food Policy Council. Over the course of three years, we researched Food Policy Council models across New York and nationally, conducted extensive community engagement, and undertook strategic planning. This process culminated in the launch of a 20-person Leadership Council in 2025, providing guidance and strategic direction for the Alliance and solidifying our role as a policy and advocacy leader in the city’s food system.

Each fiscal year, we lead City and State budget campaigns for investments in emergency food assistance programs, opportunities for small and historically marginalized farmers, access to locally-sourced food in public institutions, and urban agriculture. Our long-term goal is a more equitable and resilient future for all New Yorkers, which we believe is possible by reshaping the food system and prioritizing local food economies.

A select list of our Alliance and Leadership Council members is here. If you’re interested in joining our vision, please contact us here.