Nicole Civita, the Sustainable Food Systems specialization lead and instructor here at MENV, has been appointed by Governor Jared Polis to the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council (COFSAC). She will hold the academic seat on the council through August of 2023.
COFSAC’s mission is “to advance recommendations that strengthen healthy food access for all Coloradans through Colorado agriculture and local food systems and economies.” The council’s priorities lie in promoting a robust and resilient food economy, addressing hunger and food access issues, and promoting local foods and agricultural products through the “Colorado Proud” program. The council intends to accomplish these goals by utilizing studies relevant to food systems, and through collaboration with local and regional food policy councils, task forces, and organizations.
After the passing of HB-1202, COFSAC was re-seated and relocated from the Department of Agriculture to Colorado State University. As stated, the act updated the council’s duty to:
- “Grow local, regional, and statewide food economies within which producers have access to new markets and low-income populations have access to fresh, affordable, and healthy foods;
- Support the implementation and updates of the recommendations in the Colorado blueprint of food and agriculture project;
- Conduct research regarding national best practices regarding food and nutrition assistance, direct and intermediated market development, institutional procurement, and farm-to-school programs, as well as other priorities determined by the council;
- Collaborate with, serve as a resource to, and receive input from local and regional food policy councils in the state; and
- Explore methods of collecting and assessing statewide data relating to council activities and report the relevant information and data as required by current law.”
Nicole is a trained lawyer and has substantially studied agriculture and food policy. Throughout her career, she has worked to support policy development at all governmental levels and has consistently advocated for greater justice in food systems. She has devoted her time working at institutions of higher learning to foster the knowledge and development of future leaders of the food systems. Nicole’s current work is rooted in the systems thinking approach to agriculture and food ethics, policy, and education. This wide array of expertise allows her to develop expansive food systems through policy recommendations, environmental sustainability, strong economic opportunities, and accessibility to healthy and affordable food for all members of the community.
In addition to her professional expertise, Nicole is known for creating long-standing relationships and developing and engaging with diverse coalitions. As anyone who has worked with her can attest, she actively listens to others and reflects on different perspectives – from students to business leaders and local farmers – displaying genuine enthusiasm and interest as she communicates. Though Nicole has only lived in Colorado for a little over one year, she has built and continues to cultivate an in-state network of stakeholders and community members through which she has grown increasingly more involved in food and agriculture collaborations within the state.
When asked what Nicole is most excited to bring to the COFSAC, she said: “As a rapidly acclimating newcomer, I will bring both a surfeit of enthusiasm and a fresh perspective informed by lessons learned from food system work in other states and regions to COFSAC, which may be distinctively valuable.” Nicole and her family recently made their home in Northern Colorado, and she believes “the re-seating of the council makes this an ideal time and opportunity for her to serve her new state more fully.”
Those of us at MENV are excited for this opportunity for Nicole to help create a more sustainable, regenerative, and equitable future for the food systems sector and the people of Colorado.