Clemson professor appointed chairman of S.C. Food Policy Council
Published: July 18, 2012
CLEMSON — Clemson University associate professor David Lamie has been appointed chairman of the South Carolina Food Policy Council.
Lamie is an associate professor in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences and Extension specialist at the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia.
The council serves as a forum for members to share their concerns and their progress on food-related programs and initiatives in the state. The council’s goals include the growth, promotion and protection of a healthy agriculture industry and a safe and plentiful food supply.
“I am honored to serve as chair of the Food Policy Council,” said Lamie. “The council is well positioned to convene stakeholder groups and individuals interested in the development of a robust food system able to deliver healthy, nutritious and flavorful food products for all South Carolinians. By assimilating various interests and creating a unified voice, the council can also positively impact statewide and regional policies and programs.”
The Food Policy Council was established in 2006 to work to improve and expand healthier and more informed food choices by South Carolinians. Its members include representatives from state government agencies, agricultural commodity associations, food banks and agribusiness, as well as university faculty, farmers and elected officials.
Lamie is principal investigator for a $750,000 grant to Clemson University from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the South Carolina New Farmer program. Clemson is assisted by Lowcountry Local First and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, the S.C. Department of Agriculture, the S.C. Farm Bureau and the USDA Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency.
Lamie was instrumental in launching S.C. MarketMaker, an online marketing resource that connects South Carolina food producers with markets and customers. In 2011, S.C. MarketMaker was among the first recipients of the National Food MarketMaker Innovation Award, sponsored by the national Farm Credit Council.
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