Food System Plan
A Food System Plan, as defined by the American Planning Association, is “a set of interconnected, forward-thinking activities that strengthen a community and regional food system through the creation and implementation of plans and policies.” The overall goal is to improve the well-being of people and their communities by building more sustainable, just, equitable, self-reliant, and resilient food systems.
Many of our clients undertake a Food System Planning process after they’ve completed a Food System Assessment. While the assessment process helps a community understand their local food system landscape, the planning process provides the policy strategies to address the gaps and challenges identified in the assessment phase. The assessment is the diagnosis, the plan is the prescription.
NVA provides strategic direction and technical assistance to the local governments, food policy councils, and community coalitions developing their Food System Plans.
We work with communities to:
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Create a shared vision for the Food System Plan process. We work with clients to identify the values and goals driving their work.
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Plan a robust and inclusive community engagement process. We work with clients to design surveys, plan community meetings, facilitate social media engagement, and deploy a variety of tools to be sure that all community voices are heard.
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Analyze and synthesize key findings. We help clients interpret the findings from the community engagement process, and turn those into actionable recommendations.
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Support formal adoption of the Food System Plan by local elected officials. We assist clients in navigating the formal public process of Food System Plan adoption by their local or state elected bodies.
About Us
New Venture Advisors is a team of business consultants specializing in local food system planning and new enterprise development.
Food System Plan Projects
Learn how we have helped our clients with Food System Plans below.
O’ahu Food Systems Plan Development
O’ahu, HI
New Venture Advisors is assisting the City and County of Honolulu in creating the first ever Oʻahu Food Systems Plan. This plan will guide the City’s actions and investments as they work to cultivate a prosperous, sustainable, resilient, equitable, and community-based food system. NVA will also help to develop the plan’s accompanying Executive Summary and continue to support the plan through adoption and publication. (2026)
Northern Arizona Food System Planning
Flagstaff, AZ
Across northern Arizona, a five-county food system assessment laid the groundwork for regional planning. New Venture Advisors partnered with Flagstaff’s Sustainability Office to analyze every sector of the food system—from production to composting. The research informed the region’s upcoming Food Action Plan and highlighted key opportunities for collaboration. A social network analysis conducted by NVA identified vital organizations and connectors to strengthen the local food network. (2026)
Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan
Maui, HI
New Venture Advisors supported the development and completion of the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan for the Maui County Department of Agriculture. Building on a recent food system needs assessment and community talk story sessions, NVA translated community priorities into actionable policy recommendations and an implementation strategy to advance nutrition security, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and local food production. (2025)
Johnson County Farmers Market Action Plan
Olathe, KS
New Venture Advisors co-led Johnson County, Kansas’s first countywide Farmers Market Action Plan, strengthening a network of nine markets and expanding access to fresh food for emerging farmers and food-insecure residents. NVA combined market-level research, community engagement, and policy analysis to deliver tailored market recommendations, municipal policy guidance, and a foundation for a transferable farmers market toolkit to be published in 2026. (2026)
Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment & Action Plan
Medford, OR
The Rogue Valley Food System Network and its partners have been working for several years to identify current assets and gaps in the food system. They aim to address several areas of opportunity: 1) to increase food security and access in limited resource communities, 2) to stabilize production growth by identifying land and infrastructure access and marketing gaps, and 3) to support community outreach and education about food systems impacts. The result is a Community Food Assessment and Food Action Plan containing the network’s strategic directions for the next decade. New Venture Advisors provided strategic support to the network in completing the assessment and plan. (2025)
King County Local Food Initiative
Renton, WA
After a decade of impact and more than $7 million in investments, King County is renewing its regional food strategy. New Venture Advisors led the refresh of the Local Food Initiative in partnership with the King Conservation District. The updated plan centers equity, inclusion, and climate resilience while strengthening local economies and improving healthy food access. Through extensive community engagement, NVA ensured the initiative reflected both past progress and future priorities. (2025)
San Luis Valley Community Food and Agriculture Action Plan
Alamosa, CO
New Venture Advisors supported the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition in advancing an equitable, climate-responsive food system across Colorado’s six-county San Luis Valley. NVA led a Community Food and Agriculture Assessment and action planning process, centering local voices to identify shared priorities and deliver a regional roadmap for coordinated policy, programs, and food system resilience. (2026)
Kent County Food System Planning
Grand Rapids, MI
Strengthening the regional food system in West Michigan required a comprehensive, community-informed approach. New Venture Advisors led the Kent County Food Policy Council through a Food System Assessment, Policy Assessment, and Plan addressing access, agriculture, education, and equity. NVA conducted a policy scan to identify opportunities for alignment across local plans and zoning codes. Collaborating with the local health department, NVA also integrated food system questions into a community health survey to broaden engagement and representation. (2025) Download the plan.
Indiana Food Vision
Indianapolis, IN
To chart a resilient and equitable future for Indiana’s food system, the state partnered with New Venture Advisors and Indiana University to finalize and launch the Indiana Food Vision. This statewide roadmap identifies policy, program, and funding opportunities to strengthen local food economies. The 2025 rollout includes branding, social media, and public engagement built on nearly 40 listening sessions and more than 3,600 survey responses. Through this collaborative process, NVA helped ensure the plan reflects the voices and priorities of communities across the state. (2025)
Northwest Indiana Community Food Access Plan
Crown Point, IN
The NWI Food Council led a multi-year, community-driven food planning process across a seven-county region in northwest Indiana. New Venture Advisors completed the Community Food System Assessment and authored the forthcoming Community Food Action Plan, identifying priorities to strengthen farmer livelihoods, expand access to healthy food, and build regional resilience—aligned with the statewide Indiana Food Vision, also developed by NVA. (2025) Download the assessment.
Philabundance Community Food Strategies for Hartranft and PCK Entrepreneurial Program
Philadelphia, PA
In North Philadelphia’s Hartranft neighborhood, community-driven change is at the heart of Philabundance’s Neighborhood Thrive Initiatives. New Venture Advisors supported engagement efforts to identify strategies that increase food access and strengthen equity. The team coached local partners to lead inclusive outreach grounded in community ownership and trust. Building on resident feedback, NVA also created an entrepreneurial curriculum for the Philabundance Community Kitchen to help residents explore food business opportunities and workforce development. (2024)
City of Wichita Food and Farm Council Launch
Wichita, KS
New Venture Advisors supported the City of Wichita in launching the Food and Farm Council, an advisory body recommended by the City of Wichita/Sedgwick County Food System Master Plan. NVA assisted with early coordination, stakeholder engagement, and staff preparation to support long-term council governance and sustainability. (2024)
SENDD Regional Economic Development Program
Lincoln, NE
New Venture Advisors supported the Southeast Nebraska Development District in strengthening regional food security through economic development. NVA developed a practical toolkit—including readiness assessments, case studies, educational resources, and funding guidance—to advance equity, resiliency, and sustainability as part of SENDD’s Regional Economic Development Lite Program. (2023)
Community Gardens in City Parks Plan
Cedar Rapids, IA
New Venture Advisors partnered with the City of Cedar Rapids and Wheat Design Group to develop the Community Gardens in City Parks Plan. NVA supported a community-driven process and created a garden amenities toolkit, concept plans for eight parks, and a management framework for the City to expand equitable access to community gardens, advancing healthy food access and local climate action goals. (2023)
Whatcom County Food System Plan
Bellingham, WA
New Venture Advisors supported Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee in developing the Whatcom County Food System Plan, a 10-year roadmap for a more equitable and resilient food system. NVA led plan development, community engagement, and cross-sector strategy, integrating agriculture, fisheries and marine harvest, processing, distribution, and access to strengthen the regional food economy. (2023)
Junction City and Geary County Food System Master Plan
Junction City, KS
The Live Well Geary County Food Policy Council developed a 10-year Food System Plan to guide the growth of its local food system, identifying policy solutions across the full food chain—from production to consumption. The Plan was unanimously adopted by both the Junction City and Geary County Commissions in July 2022. New Venture Advisors provided strategic direction and technical assistance, supported adoption, and continues to assist with early-stage implementation. (2022)
Riley County and City of Manhattan, KS Food System Master Plan
Manhattan, KS
The Food and Farm Council of Riley County and the City of Manhattan, Kansas partnered with New Venture Advisors to develop a comprehensive Food System Master Plan guiding a dynamic, sustainable local food system. The plan identified policy solutions across the full food chain—from production to consumption—and was shaped by community and stakeholder engagement. It was formally adopted by both governing bodies and funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas’ Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant program. (2022)
City of Manchester Healthy Food Access Plan
Manchester, NH
New Venture Advisors supported the Manchester Health Department and the Manchester Food Collaborative in developing a community-driven Healthy Food Access Plan. NVA led inclusive engagement through surveys and roundtables, assessed the local food landscape, and helped prioritize strategies to address food insecurity and expand equitable access to healthy food citywide. (2023)
City of Wichita Food System Master Plan
Wichita, KS
New Venture Advisors supported the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita and the City of Wichita in developing a 10-year Food System Master Plan that outlines a comprehensive framework for food policy, infrastructure, and community investment. NVA provided technical assistance, guided a broad collaborative planning process, authored the plan, and supported early implementation, including the launch of a healthy corner store initiative. (2021) Download plan here.
