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Exhibit A <br />A number of measures have also been implemented aimed at improving air quality, including <br />vehicle idling policies and the establishment of a large fleet of hybrid vehicles. <br />A Local Food Economy <br />The production and consumption of fresh, healthy food is at the heart of a sustainable <br />community and the BOC wishes to encourage the local production, processing, distribution and <br />consumption of food in Cabarrus County for a number of reasons. <br />1. There is a significant incidence of diet-related disease and poor health (e.g., diabetes, <br />cardiovascular disease, obesity) in Cabarrus County. The consumption of fresh, nutritious food <br />can prevent and mitigate those diet-related conditions, thereby improving quality of life and <br />reducing health care costs. <br />2. Cabarrus County has experienced a great deal of sprawling development which has <br />displaced farms and open space and consumed significant natural and fiscal resources. Policies <br />that promote sustainable agriculture, the preservation of existing farms and the creation of new <br />farms to meet local food needs will keep land in production, preserve our local rural and <br />agricultural heritage, consume minimal public resources and provide an important <br />counterbalance to development. <br />3. Cabarrus County's traditional manufacturing base has diminished significantly with the <br />closing of Pillowtex and Philip Morris. The Great Recession brought historically high. <br />unemployment rates. Building a robust, sustainable local food economy serves as a foundation <br />for a resilient local economy that is resistant to downward global trends. <br />4. The air quality in Cabarrus County and the Charlotte region does not meet EPA standards. <br />Global carbon emissions are contributing to climate change and peak oil is approaching. One <br />method of addressing these issues is though distributed production, especially of energy and <br />food. <br />5. The number of incidents of unsafe and contaminated food being distributed across the nation <br />(and the world) has increased over the last several years. Local production, processing and <br />consumption will improve food safety and security for county residents. <br />Food Policy Council <br />The BOC establishes the Cabarrus County Food Policy Council (FPC) to identify and strengthen <br />the connections between food, health, natural resource protection, economic development and <br />the agricultural community. <br />Charge <br />The FPC is charged with performing research, educating the community, developing strategies <br />and making policy recommendations that will encourage the development of a robust, <br />sustainable local food economy and a healthier population. <br />The county government will provide the FPC with staff assistance, meeting space and other <br />resources needed to perform its charge, subject to budget appropriations made by the BOC and <br />G-6 ~~~~'~'~~ number 2 <br />