Pasco County Food Policy Advisory Council (FPAC)

The Pasco County Food Policy Assessment profiles Pasco County’s current food system and is a tool for stakeholders – farmers, sellers, consumers and policy makers. The study provides insights about Pasco County’s food system’s infrastructure, production, processing, and distribution and consumptions elements. The study examines the following components of the community food system and provides a snapshot of related data:

• Socioeconomic and Demographic Data;
• Local Agricultural Production;
• Processing and Distribution;
• Food Availability and Consumption;
• Waste and Recycling; and
• Policy and Regulation.

The study was undertaken by the Pasco County Department of Health with guidance by the Pasco County Food Policy Council and Planning and Development Department Long Range Planning Division. A copy of the assessment is provided below, as well as the presentation to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners on August 29, 2017.

• 2016 Pasco County Food Policy Assessment (PDF)
• 2016 Annual Report and Food Policy Assessment Presentation- 8/29/17 BCC Meeting (PDF)

The Urban Agricultural Ordinance No. 17-19, adopted by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners on June 20, 2017, provides for design, operations and maintenance standards for community gardens, market gardens and community farms in Pasco County. The ordinance amended Chapter 500 Zoning Standards of the Pasco County Land Development Code detailing principal uses, permitted uses and conditional uses by zoning classification. The ordinance also created a garden plan permit system and provided for definitions of community gardens, market gardens and community farms.

The intent of the ordinance is to:

• To not regulate home gardens or "Greenbelt" agricultural farms exempt under Florida Statutes, Chapter 193.46;
• Clarify the legal status and regulating the permitting and operation of Community Gardens, Market Gardens and Community Farms within the County;
• Increase local food production supplies;
• Allow the growing of crops and ornamental flowers within Pasco County while minimizing negative impacts to adjacent properties and the community;
• Encourage locally grown produce, promote healthy and nutritional food, and fill gaps in food accessibility within the County;
• Foster community engagement by providing opportunities for recreation education/training, special events, social interaction and economic potential benefits;
• Outlines process for use of public lands for community gardens, market gardens and community farms; and
• Provide green space and enhance community character.

The Harbors West Market Redevelopment/Infill Plan adopted by the County Commission on June 25, 2013 included a Community Garden plan element and identified the following strategies:

Strategy 010:

a. "Encourage agriculture and food production at the local or neighborhood scale" and
b. "Help development partnerships to establish and maintain community gardens, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and farmers' markets."

Strategy O11:

a. "Evaluate the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development code to incorporate policies, standards and regulations pertaining to urban agriculture."

Click here for the Urban Agricultural Registration Form

Urban Agricultural Ordinance No. 17-19 (adopted 6/20/2017) (PDF)

If you have further questions, please view our Urban Agricultural Ordinances FAQ page HERE.

Pasco County Ordinances Quick Links
Land Development Code
Pasco County Code of Ordinances
Article II- Occupational License Tax

UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Website
Community Gardening Page
Pesticide Licensing
Limited Sales Certification

State of Florida
Division of Food Safety
Food Establishment Inspections
Information for getting a food establishment permit

Organic Material Review Institute

Community Garden Non-Profit Start Up Tools
Community Garden Operating Rules Sample (PDF)
Community Garden Organization By-Laws Sample (PDF)
Volunteer Agreement (PDF)

New Port Richey Seed Exchange
Brochure (PDF)
Label (PDF)