“The Art of the Possible: State and Local Policy Success Stories”

Policy is one of the most powerful levers for driving systemic change. But the path from a compelling idea to enacted legislation is rarely straight—it requires coalition building, strategic timing, political savvy, and no small amount of persistence. This session skips the theory and gets into the details. Through three in-depth case studies drawn from successful state and local policy initiatives, panelists will walk attendees through the real story of how change happened—who the key players were, how opposition was navigated, what compromises were made, and what made the difference in the end. Whether you're a seasoned policy advocate or new to the legislative arena, this session offers a rare, unfiltered look at the art and science of moving food waste policy from concept to reality.