Shawnee County hopes to address food insecurity through creation of new council

Shawnee County Health Department is looking to create the area’s first local farm and food council in an effort to address food insecurity among county residents.

Craig Barnes, manager of the department’s Health Outreach and Planning Division, announced such plans in a presentation Monday morning to the Shawnee County Commission.

According to Barnes, impending creation of the council is one of four initiatives the health department expects will promote healthier living in Shawnee County. Two of those — development of the Shawnee County Farm and Food Advisory Council and investment in a “health planner” position — are already underway, Barnes noted. The recently hired planner’s name is Susan Caman.

(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)