§ 24-8C. Strategic Plan to Achieve Food Security in Montgomery County.

(a) The County Executive must develop a Strategic Plan to Achieve Food Security in Montgomery County by December 1, 2016. In developing the Strategic Plan, the Executive should consider regional, national, and global efforts to address food insecurity. The Strategic Plan must at least include:

(1) demographic and geographic information on poverty in Montgomery County;

(2) demographic and geographic information on participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);

(3) demographic and geographic information on participation in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food supplement program;

(4) participation in free and reduced meals by school;

(5) participation in other school based food programs;

(6) demographic estimates regarding food insecurity;

(7) information on the relationship between access to transportation and access to food;

(8) information on how food literacy impacts food insecurity; and

(9) a 5-year Plan, with recommended actions, that strives to reduce food insecurity. The Plan must include:

(A) recommendations to reduce food insecurity for seniors and children in the first year of the Plan; and

(B) cost estimates to implement the Plan.

(b) In developing the Strategic Plan, the Executive must consult with:

(1) the County Department of Health and Human Services;

(2) the County Department of Transportation;

(3) the County Office of Agriculture;

(4) the Regional Service Center Directors;

(5) Montgomery County Public Schools;

(6) the County Planning Department;

(7) the Office of Community Partnerships;

(8) the Montgomery County Food Council

(9) Manna Food Center;

(10) the Capital Area Food Bank;

(11) individuals who have experience with food insecurity;

(12) organizations that are geographically located throughout that County that provide emergency or sustained food assistance; and

(13) organizations that are geographically located throughout the County whose mission is to reduce and eliminate poverty in the County.

(c) By December 1 each year, the Executive must submit a report to the County Council. The annual report must:

(1) update the information required in Section 24-8C(a);

(2) include activities, accomplishments, plans, and objectives to implement the Strategic Plan;

(3) include cost estimates for the following fiscal year necessary to implement the Strategic Plan.

(d) This Section is known as the Food Security Bill. (, §1; , §1.)