Food Policy Council Working Group Meeting
Wednesday, Nov 17th, 2010, 3:00-4:30pm
NEXT MEETING, Special FPC Formation Strategy Meeting, Wednesday December 8th 2:00pm-4:30pm
In attendance: Brad Watkins, Josephine Williams, Melissa Petersen, Robin Rodriguez, Zorina Bowen, Christian Man, Rosalie Bouck, Karen Thornton
Guests: Ken Reardon, Mary Phillips, Allison Eddins
Progress Report: reviewed grant report submitted to the Community Foundation at the beginning of the month. There was concern within the group that we are letting Food Policy Council establishment work slide with so much energy going to these specific policy initiatives. It was recommended that we have an extended meeting in December to focus solely on next steps in FPC development.
Project Updates:
Food Ordinance Handbook - WG members Josephine, Melissa and Otho met with Emily Broad of Harvard Law. One of the students will be here in the month of January to meet with stakeholders. She will be dividing her time between Memphis and Mississippi. It is looking like the recommendation will be scrapping the FOC altogether, and passing a couple new regulations to fill any gaps in state policy that are relevant locally. Emily expects to have an initial document for us in January.
UDC - No update, waiting on Planning and Development to show us proposed changes
Sampling and Demos at Farmers Markets - Following a conversation with Otho Sawyer, Melissa has drafted chef demo guidelines for farmers markets, providing for chefs to prepare foods to be sampled in advance, and the food actually used in the demonstration not be consumed. This would be a huge step forward in allowing demonstrations with any frequency, as opposed to being limited to three per year. Environmental Sanitation must approve this guidelines before they can be put into practice.
Food system stakeholder survey - Josephine has one volunteer conducting survey, and another entering data and drafting addition surveys. Still having trouble connecting with farmers who are not direct marketing in Memphis. Suggestions were to go to places or events that target farmers.
Next Steps
Food Systems Course, University of Memphis, City and Regional Planning: Dr. Ken Reardon shared with us information about a spring course offering in food systems that would require students to participate in 5 hours of relevant field based research each week. Students would be available to assist us with research including stakeholder surveys, focus groups, etc. In addition, we may be able to take advantage of HCD funded assistantships in January, paid students for 20 hours per week. Finally, the national meeting of the Planners Network will be taking place in Memphis, May 18-21st 2011. There will be an urban food systems track.
Local Food and Farm Roundtable in February - Mary Phillips of the Urban Farms is planning an event in February for local farmers and possibly chefs, markets, community gardeners and food advocates. It will be an open format conference model where the participants set the agenda. There is a meeting Monday, Nov 22 at 2pm at the Binghampton Development Corp to determine the scope of the event and begin planning.
Growing the Group - moved to December meeting
Answering critical questions - moved to December meeting
Defining Food Deserts - moved to December meeting
Wholesome Wave - national food access funder Wholesome Wave has invited MSPJC to submit a Letter of Interest to partner with them in 2011. This could potentially supporting getting SNAP capacity at farmers markets and add value to SNAP and SFMNP voucher purchases. There will be an interest meeting Monday Nov 22 at 4pm at MSPJC. Local foundations, SoMe Market, Urban Farm Market, Cooper Young Market and Memphis Farmers Market, and the Health Department have been invited. Melissa recommended contacting the Millington and Agricenter markets as well.
2011 Meeting Calendar
Meeting will be on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, alternating daytime and evening meetings. The 2011 meeting calendar is as follows:
Wednesday, January 12th, 10:30 am -12 pm
Wednesday, February 9th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday, March 9th, 10:30 am -12 pm
Wednesday, April 3th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday, May 11th, 10:30 am -12 pm
Wednesday, June 8th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday, July 13th, 10:30 am -12 pm
Wednesday, August 10th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday, September 14, 10:30 am -12 pm
Wednesday, October 12th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday, November 9th, 10:30 am -12 pm
Wednesday, December 14th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Group Name - postponed due to lack of quorum
NEXT MEETING, Special FPC Formation Strategy Meeting, Wednesday December 8th 2:00pm-4:30pm
