Food Policy Institute

Established in 1999 by the Consumer Federation of America, the Food Policy Institute conducts research and advocacy to promote a safer, healthier and more affordable food supply. The Institute supports:

• Continued reform of federal food safety programs, especially outdated federal meat and poultry inspection systems;

• An improved regulatory regime and mandatory labeling for genetically engineered foods;

• Changes in federal food regulations to encourage production and marketing of healthier foods;

• Reform of federal farm subsidies that increase food prices to consumers and a refocusing of farm programs to favor small family farmers;

• Increased emphasis in both public and private programs on improving nutrition and reducing childhood obesity; and

• Expanding and improving programs to reduce hunger.

The Food Policy Institute supports research that respects scientific principles, values inclusiveness and builds relationships capable of achieving change that benefits the public. Staff members routinely gather facts, analyze issues, and disseminate information to the public, legislators, regulators, and the media.

Food Policy Issue Areas

Food Policy Institute Activities
CFA's Food Policy Institute coordinates the Safe Food Coalition. Made up of consumer, public health, senior citizen and labor organizations, the Safe Food Coalition has led the successful effort to reform the nation's food safety inspection systems.

The Institute also coordinates the highly praised National Food Policy Conference, held each year in Washington DC. The conference explores the top food and agriculture issues of the day with a diverse mix of policy makers, advocates, and scientists.

Food Policy Institute's Key Personnel
The Institute is directed by Chris Waldrop. Waldrop is a member of the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Partnership for Food Safety Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating consumers about food safety.

Carol Tucker Foreman, a leading national voice on food policy for 25 years, is the Institute’s Distinguished Fellow. A former executive director of CFA, Foreman oversaw food safety and nutrition programs for the Agriculture Department in the Carter Administration. She serves on USDA's National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection and its Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology. For FDA, Foreman sits on the Food Advisory Committee for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.