Together We Can Ensure Equitable Access to Healthy Food.

Improving access to healthy food in our community is a big job, and that’s why the Tarrant County Food Policy Council has added Taste Project to its growing list of member organizations.  This change comes as the USDA releases news of a decrease in food insecurity rates nationwide and in Texas; however, Texas remains one of eleven states above the national average for food insecurity.

“Now, more than ever, it is important for our community to come together and address the issues of food access,” says Micheline Hynes, Tarrant County Food Policy Council.  “And because our food system is complex, it is important our membership is too—which is why we are happy to have Taste Project join the Food Policy Council.”

“As a kid, I remember just how scarce food was and watching my parents skip meals.  The idea of fresh and healthy food was only a dream for my parents,” said Jeff Williams, Taste Project Founder and Executive Director.  “I am proud to be a part of a community working to ensure families like mine have access to healthy and nutritious food.”

The Tarrant County Food Policy Council was established by community leaders in social services, public health, and educational organizations who found that, despite ongoing efforts, access to healthy affordable foods was still limited for many people in Tarrant County.  “We believe that good food should be as convenient as fast food,” says Micheline Hynes.

Taste Project believes everyone should have access to healthy and nutritious food, and its vision is to see its community be the response and the solution to the challenges its community faces as it relates to hunger.  The organization operates a pay-what-you-can restaurant serving healthy and local-when-possible food.  Harrison Gibson, from Taste Project will lead the organization’s involvement in the Tarrant County Food Policy Council and engagement of our community for change.

Other Tarrant County Food Policy Council member organizations include the Aetna, American Heart Association, Baylor Scott & White, Catholic Charities, the City of Fort Worth, Culture Consultants, Dairy Max, FitWorth, the Garden Network of Tarrant County, Grow North Texas, Tarrant Area Food Bank, Tarrant County Public Health, Taste Project, Texas Christian University, Texas Health Resources, To Taste, and U Theory.

If you live, work, learn, or play in Tarrant County, you are welcome to join the Tarrant County Food Policy Council working groups and open meetings.  Visit www.tarrantcountyfoodpolicycouncil.org for more information.

Together we can ensure equitable access to healthy food for individuals living in Tarrant County

Photo Credit: Jashley Boatwright

­About Taste Project

Taste Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit established to feed, educate, and serve our community so they may “…taste and see the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8.  We believe everyone should have access to healthy nutritional food. Our vision is to see our community become the solution to the challenges our community faces as it relates to hunger.  Our first project, Taste Community Restaurant at 1200 South Main Street in Fort Worth, focuses on healthy, quality meals made from fresh ingredients. Our menu has no prices. This is a give and take concept. We ask guests to do one of the following: 1) pay what you can afford, 2) pay what you would typically pay, or 3) pay what you would typically pay, plus a little extra.  To learn more, visit us at www.tasteproject.org or find us on Facebook.

­About Tarrant County Food Policy Council

The Food Policy Council’s mission is to collaborate with representatives from Tarrant County’s food system to catalyze creative solutions for ensuring equitable access to sufficient, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods, and to advocate for local food policies that support this goal.  The organization was established by community leaders in social services, public health, and educational organizations who found that despite ongoing efforts, access to healthy affordable foods was still limited for many Tarrant County citizens. The groups goal is to improve collaboration and take a systems approach to addressing food issues in our community. By working together, we can make ensure healthy, affordable, sustainable foods are accessible wherever people live, work, learn, and play.

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