The Western Prairie Food, Farm and Community Alliance (WPFFCA) was selected to participate in a community of practice focused on regional food systems development. After a thorough review of over 50 applications by a team of project organizers, 11 food policy councils from across the country were selected for the 18-month project, reflecting a diversity of approaches to regional food systems work. As part of this community, Western Prairie Food Farm and Community Alliance will help guide research and the creation of resources to support other councils in taking regional approaches to food system development.

The community of practice is a central part of a cooperative research project being led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS), Ohio State University, the John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, and Colorado State University that aims to better understand regional approaches to strengthening food systems. Regional food policy work has emerged as a promising approach to developing equitable, sustainable, and vibrant food and agriculture systems. Yet, there is need for more resources and information to support the work of food system practitioners working at this scale.

In addition to Western Prairie Food Farm and Community Alliance , the community of practice will include representatives from the Boston Food Access Council (MA), Cass Clay Food Partners (ND/MN), Columbia Gorge Food Security Coalition (OR/WA), Food Policy Council for Fresno County (CA), Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council (OH), Hudson Valley Food System Coalition (NY), Just Foods Collaborative of Nash and Edgecombe Counties (NC), Metropolitan Washington Food Policy Directors/Food Security Coordinators Work Group (DC, MD, VA), Northwest Indiana Food Council (IN), and Roanoke Foodshed Network (VA).