Local Matters mission is to inspire action because food impacts the quality of our health, our land and our communities. As a community collaborator, Local Matters is transforming the food system through education and increased access to healthful, affordable and sustainable food, while inspiring individuals to consider the role of food in their lives.A secure food system is one that is less vulnerable to fluctuations in the economy or the whims of policy makers. It means that more people are connected to each other and to their food, making the region more resilient and able to survive a catastrophic event or economic downturn.A prosperous food system ensures fair prices to both producers and consumers and fair wages to farm and food workers. It accounts for the true cost of creating healthy soil and providing nutrition, and it keeps wealth within the community by supporting local vendors.A just food system makes sure that every person has equal access and opportunity to healthy, affordable fresh food. In a just food system, people have the necessary information and the resources to keep the food system working on behalf of the community.A delicious food system creates joy and community around the table. Foods are enjoyed at the peak of their flavor, and we can celebrate abundance with an appreciation for variety, heritage, and our relationship with nature and with each other.To transform the whole food system, our work focuses on three strategic areas: education about wholesome food, where it comes from, how to grow it and how to cook it; improving access to fresh and local foods and connecting individuals and groups to resources; and engagement with partners and neighbors in collaborative projects and policy changes to expand, strengthen, and maintain a resilient local food system.

Noreen Warnock is a Co-founder of Local Matters and the Director of Community Outreach. She is a food justice actionist and advocate who has worked on community-based food issues for 26 years. Her passion is supporting community efforts to strengthen the “value chain” of local food: Healthy-Providing nourishment and enabling all people to thrive;Green-Produced in a manner that is environmentally sustainable;Fair-No one, no animal, no plant along the food chain is exploited in its creation;Affordable-All people have access to it. Noreen was one of two Ohio representatives for the National Farm to School Network and served on the Governor’s Ohio Food Policy Council “Healthy Access” subcommittee. She is a member of the Regional Local Food Council, as well as the United Way of Central Ohio Public Policy Committee and their Healthy Corner Store Fresh Foods Here Project. Noreen was a founding member of the Franklin County Local Food Council (FCLFC) and served as Co-Chair of the Council until stepping down to chair the Supply Chain and Economic Development Working Group. She currently serves on the FCLFC Policy Working Group. She is a member of the Food Mapping Team at the Ohio State University. Noreen led the research and writing group that created Improving Access to Healthy Food:A Community Planning Tool. She was a representative to OXFAM America’s International Women’s Day 2012 conference and lobby day in Washington D.C and presented Local Matters work at SPIRE in Oslo, Norway. Noreen was highlighted in Columbus CEO Magazine as one of eight successful business women leaders in Central Ohio.