Services & Supports


About Resource
Technical Assistance:
Organization & Coalition Development
- Level I
- Level II
- Level III
- Level IV
- Level I
- Level II
- Level III
- Level IV
GET SUPPORT FROM OUR TEAM
Costs
For food councils in North Carolina:
Many services are free. Costs listed are suggested amounts. We will work to identify an appropriate payment scale. All funds from councils within the network are used to support community efforts across the network.
For aligned networks:
We also support aligned groups in North Carolina and other states at a cost.
Don't know what you need? Consider the following assessments to help decide.
If you want to discuss what is best for your food council, contact us. Completing all or parts of these capacity assessments may also be a helpful next step.
ORGANIZATION & COALITION DEVELOPMENT

Level I - Overviews & Presentations
FREE
We’re always happy to have an informational call on food councils or to give an informal presentation to community groups interested in this work.
- Food Council Network Overview – phone
- What is a food council and its potential impact?
- How do they form and create change?
- Toolkit Overview – See list to the left.
- Food Council 101 Presentation includes:
- Presentation to community stakeholders
- Planning and debrief calls to identify next steps
TOOLKITS INCLUDE:
- Food Council Development
- Public Forum Planning
- Baseline Community Food Assessment
- Hosting a Candidates Forum
- Strategic Advocacy & Networking
- Community discussions on race and food
- CORE Level 1 Racial Equity (RE) Frameworks
- CORE Level 2 Applying RE Frameworks

Level II - Consultations & Coaching
FREE
Let’s dig deeper and talk in more detail about specific tools or strategies. These conversations are often longer, more frequent, and get into your questions.
- Leading successful meetings [monthly phone calls]
- Agenda setting, decision making, engagement, organizational structure, challenges, etc
- Consultation on baseline food system assessments*
- Consultation on Public Forum Planning*
*For additional support see Level III.

Level III - In-person Coaching & Facilitation
FREE. $500 – $600. Fees based on hourly rates.
We love getting out into communities. We can help lead your group through setting priorities, action planning, focus groups, or community forums.
- Food Council Development
- Monthly coaching and facilitation
- Strategic Priority Setting
- One 8-hour meeting OR
- Two – three shorter meetings (ie. 2 hr, 4 hr, 2 hr)
- Strategic Action Planning
- 4-6 hours, following Strategic Priority Setting

Level IV - Strategy & Trainings
FREE. $500 – $2000. Costs depend on number of facilitators, time, and travel.
If larger groups would like training on a specific skill or tool, our team is happy to teach the skills we know and use best. We can tailor workshops to your needs.
Half day – two-day workshop examples include:
- ‘Facilitating for More Voices’ workshop
- ‘Telling Your Story’ workshop
- CORE Level I Racial Equity in the Food System
- Racial Equity in Your Coalition, a Level II workshop
- This workshop requires a cohort and that all attendees have participated in any Racial Equity workshop.
- Results Based Accountability workshop
POLICY & ADVOCACY
Policy and advocacy services are recommended for food councils in growth and mature stages, and have council leadership and membership that are representative of the communities that they serve.
Activities at all levels can be crafted into a six to twelve month contract through developing a shared working agreement and determining an appropriate budget.
Level III & IV Requirements:
- Engagement in Level I or Level II activity
- Commitment of at least three council members to organize and participate in monthly meetings.
- Coordination of the meeting dates and locations. We are happy to support Zoom video conferencing capabilities.

Level I - Overviews & Presentations
FREE
We’re happy to talk with you about farm and food policy, how to get involved, or to give casual presentation about what your community could do.
- Food policy and advocacy concepts
- Current food policy issues
- Food council structure for advocacy
- Overview of Strategic Advocacy & NetworkingToolkit

Level II - Consultations & Coaching
FREE. Remote by phone or video.
Let’s dig deeper and talk in more detail about specific tools or strategies. These conversations are often longer, more frequent, and get into your questions.
- Craft strategic advocacy plans
- Build relationships with decision makers
- Host a candidates forum
- Draft or refine internal food council policies
- Official recognition by your county government

Level III - In-person Coaching & Facilitation
FREE. $500 – $600. Fees based on hourly rates.
We can come to you, and help lead your group through setting priorities, action planning, or community forums.
Project management and facilitation to:
- Draft multiple strategic advocacy plans
- Host a candidates’s forum
- Host a food policy training for your community

Level IV - Strategy & Trainings
FREE. $500 – $800. Costs depend on number of facilitators, time, and travel.
If your group is ready to develop a policy platform or dig deeper into strategy, let us know.
Policy Platform Development
- Includes in-person facilitation, meeting planning and follow up
- Supports a Policy Committee or Work Group in developing a four- to six-part policy platform and one strategic advocacy plan