Food Policy Council (FPC) Meeting on Mon, January 19, 2015 - 7:00 PM

I. Administrative items – 7:00 PM

     a. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval.

     b. Approval of December meeting minutes.

     c. Discussion of FPC vacancies:

          i. New members: Crystal Hammerschmidt, filling in for Paula Murrish in “Institutional Food Purchaser” spot, and Tyra Kalman Crouch, Wellness Manager at the Merc as a liaison for Rita in “Retail Food” spot.

          ii. Discussion of replacements for: Greg – producer (exp. 2016), Rick – retail food (exp. 2015).

     d. Announcement of Food Systems Coordinator hire.

     e. Consideration of inviting City Commission candidates to upcoming FPC meeting.

II. Northeast Kansas Food Hub Feasibility Study next steps – 7:25 PM (Marlin Bates)

     a. Updates & next steps in feasibility study process.

III. Farm Bureau Resolution Presentation – 7:30 PM (Diane Fishburn)

IV. Roundtable of updates on various FPC-related initiatives – 7:40 PM

     a. Downtown grocery progress (Jen Humphrey).

     b. Planning for long-term farmers market locations (Jen Humphrey).

     c. Lawrence Chefs and Farmers Alliance (Jill Elmers).

     d. Market Match status update (Tresa Carter).

     e. CDC Partners in Community Health & LiveWell Lawrence (Chris Tilden).

     f. Buy Local Campaign update (Kim Criner).

     g. Recap of Jefferson County Food Policy Council Formation Meeting (Steve Moring).

     h. Legislative updates (Ashley Jones-Wisner).

     i. Slow Money update (Nancy Thellman).

V. Subcommittee progress reports – 8:10 PM

• City
• County
• Community
• State/Fed

VI. Public comments – 8:30 PM

VII. FPC member updates – 8:40 PM

VIII. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00 PM

FPC Attendees: Emily Hampton, Boog Highberger, Marlin Bates, Kim Criner, Bob Lominska, Jason Hering, Jen Humphrey, Carol Gilmore,  Jill Elmers, Rita York-Henneke, Elizabeth Stewart, Teresa Flory,

Diane Fishburn, Jan Hornberger, Brenna Wulfkuhle

Absent:  Brady Pollington, Daniel Poull, Chris Tilden, Pattie Johnston Crystal Hammerschmidt, Ashley Jones-Wisener

Staff members: Tresa Carter

Guests: Tyra Kalman-Crouch, Sandra Lawson, Steve Moring, Aundrea Shafer

1. Administrative items – 7:00 PM.
   1. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval.  With 16 members in attendance a quorum was reached. 
   2. Approval of December meeting minutes.  Motion and second to approve minutes as written (Wulfkuhle, Gilmore).  Motion approved unanimously.
   3. Discussion of FPC Vacancies.

Crystal Hammerschmidt will be filling in for Paula Murrish, which leaves two producer spots and a retail food spot to fill. It was discussed that a dairy producer would be a good representative for the Council; Landeria was mentioned as a potential option. Bruce and Maryann Curtis with Fieldstone Farms were mentioned as a possible producer position (grow fruits). Trails West would be another small fruit producer. Pep from Blue Jacket Winery was suggested as a possible replacement for Greg Shipe. Bryan Henry has plants/flowers, but they do not grow food. Chestnut Charlie was mentioned as an option.

For Retail: TK from Merchants is interested in joining but could not be at tonight’s meeting. Chef from 715 (Zack?) was suggested by Rita. The manager of 23rd Street Brewery was mentioned as an option to pursue. It was suggested to reach out to FreeState Chef who formerly sat on the Council. Vaughn with Hank’s Charcuterie was also mentioned.

1. Announcement of Food Systems Coordinator Hire.
   
   Jan 12th was supposed to be the date the CDC would approve funding for this position. Despite the lack of approval, a contingent upon funding offer has been accepted by Helen Schnoes. She plans to begin the position in mid-March around the time Eileen Horn will return from maternity leave.
2. Consideration of inviting City Commission candidates to upcoming FPC meeting.
   
   Diane Fishburn reminded the FPC that this question was brought up at a prior meeting two years ago, the idea was turned down due to the amount of candidates that would need to be brought in. It was suggested to wait until after the primary election so that the pool of candidates is smaller. After the first primary, provide an open invitation to the round of six candidates to join. Nancy Thellman suggested a candidate forum as another option but other Council members thought something more informal would be preferable. Boog said that the six candidates would need to come to the March meeting, as elections are in April. It was voted that the candidates would be invited prior to April elections, and upon election, the FPC will find a way to engage the new Commissioners with the work that the Council is doing.

1. Northeast Kansas Food Hub Feasibility Study next steps
   1. Another meeting was held on January 14 at K-State Olathe, where experts were brought in to discuss ownership models that are possibilities for the Food Hub. The USDA also presented on potential funding opportunities from them for grants and loans. Attendance at the meeting was low; only a couple producers there were interested in operating the Food Hub. Next steps: discussion on how to move forward given the lack of owner/operator interest. Perhaps broadening the net to people who showed moderate interest in being an owner/operator is necessary moving forward. Inviting producers interested in producing for the Food Hub, as they might have feedback on what they would like to see to encourage his/her participation. Having a face-to-face meeting interested in the success of the Food Hub is the critical next step. How do we get people to say, “Yes,” is the current obstacle. Consensus feeling is that the farmers should be the owners of the Food Hub, with the reason they haven’t stepped up being capital availability and inherent risk.  What the producer buy-in looks like is not yet entirely determined.  A question of how to engage philosophical supporters, those that want to support agriculture and the local economy was brought up.
2. Farm Bureau Resolution Presentation
   1. The Farm Bureau Resolution  was passed a couple of months ago. Diane Fishburn worked on this document the last couple of years, and wants to hear FPC’s position on it. The Farm Bureau is invested and will lobby on behalf of what is written in this Resolution. The largest point of contention was the last line on the Resolution that opposes any program or subsidy that gives local foods unfair advantage over traditional food production.  Brenna Wuhlfkuhle spoke about how significant this Resolution is in that it acknowledges both small and large producers and their individual rights as farmers. This resolution is door opening for traditional and nontraditional agriculture despite some of the contentious language regarding local foods.
3. Roundtable of updates on various FPC-related initiatives:
   1. Downtown grocery progress – Jen Humphrey.
      
      When the City subcommittee met, it was determined there’s no role for FPC at this time until proposal to the City government is made.
   2. Planning for long-term farmers’ market location – Jen Humphrey.

Jill and Jen attended the Farmers Market board meeting and asked if they’d support FPC involvement in pursuing research for the state of farmers markets in all of Douglas County. Board said yes, they would support that. Jen needs volunteers to help communicate with other markets in Douglas County about this decision.

1. Lawrence Chefs and Farmers Alliance – Jill Elmers.

The fourth meeting was postponed until Tuesday, Jan. 20, to discuss directory of producers and buyers. Charlie Bryan provided a list for initial contacts so that producers and local buyers can connect.

1. Market Match update – Tresa Carter.

Tresa shared that she has held meetings with Linda Cottin (Cottin’s Market) and Sally Sanko-Brown (LFM) to discuss last year’s successes and room for improvement in 2015. She plans to meet with all other markets in Douglas County in February to begin implementation of SNAP/Market Match.

1. Buy Local Campaign – Kim Criner.

Outreach to local grocers has been made. Local grocers are interested in meeting but waiting to schedule a meeting with everyone until more response from grocers has come in (namely Dillon’s).

1. Recap of Jefferson County Food Policy Council Formation – Steve Moring.

The first meeting was held, mostly with farmers and school systems members. There was great interest in the County in participating in a Food Policy Council. Eileen Horn presented on how Douglas County got started with their Food Policy Council. Funding opportunities were discussed for Jefferson County’s potential Council. There’s much excitement surrounding the possibility for a Food Policy Council in Jefferson County.

1. Legislative Updates – Boog Highberger.

There will be a vote on removing sales tax from food. Carol Gilmore shared results of a study done last year on interest in removing sales tax from food. The next Local Food and Farm Taskforce meeting is Friday, Jan. 23, from 1-4pm in Topeka. 

1. Slow Money Update – Nancy Thellman.

Slow Money is celebrating its one year anniversary as a network in March. A relationship was formed with the leader of Cultivate KC to start a project in that region. The regional feel of the group is starting to spread. The Bauman’s went to a national Slow Money gathering and won a $60,000 loan from this to start a non-GMO Feed Hub. Since then, Rosanna has gained $240,000 in investments towards this project. This included funding from local and out of state investors. Next meeting is February 12th, 6:30 PM, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds for their first entrepreneurial show case.

1. Subcommittee progress reports
   1. City

Aundrea provided an update on communications with Common Ground applicants. She has started to create a technical assistance program and getting contracts out to awardees of plots for upcoming season. She is also working with the City Attorney to get the paperwork signed.

Jill provided an update on the 815 Oak property saying that a letter will be sent from the FPC to the City Manager and City Commissioners providing the Council’s support of Habitat for Humanity taking over this property.

1.  County

Brenna shared that this subcommittee is working on agritourism with Mary Miller and plan to send incentive ideas to the County Commission. They are also working on accessory dwelling units within the County and making them as lenient as those in City limits. Brenna will work with Marlin Bates on incubator kitchen ideas. Amy Miller provided a Horizon 2020 update saying that meetings are occurring and appreciate comments from the FPC. The goal is to report to City, Planning and County Commission in late spring with an update on the Report. Tresa Carter will send out link that she provided in email.

1. Community

The last two meetings were spent discussing the Buy Local Campaign, which Kim provided details on earlier. This committee is waiting to hear if funding from the CDC will allow for marketing materials financing for this campaign.

1. State/Fed

Emily shared that the committee discussed what to work on this year. One of the topics to work on was the elimination of sales tax on fruits and vegetables. There was also a discussion of reducing fruit and vegetable taxes at Farmers Markets. The committee considered looking into funding opportunities for projects and working with KC Healthy Kids on updates relevant to Douglas County. Also, working with other Food Policy Councils across the state to provide support, collaborate, etc.

1. Public Comments
   
   None.
2. FPC member updates
   1. Marlin Bates has reissued a call for an Agriculture Agent at Extension and will send a link to that application to the DCFPC list.
   2. Tyra – Center Store Manager and Wellness Manager for 10 years, is taking over for Rita.
   3. Carol provided an update on stamps that can be purchased that feature farmers markets.
   4. Diane said next Thursday & Friday is the Slice of Ag day for children where they learn how to make pizza and where our food comes from.
   5. Brenna asked what Rosanna would be doing with the Meat Processing Facility – Nancy said it will continue operations as is, but is unsure of plans for expansion.
   6. Sandra Lawson will be replacing Diane Fishburn, who started the advanced culinary arts program for Lawrence School District.
3. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00 PM
   
   Motion and second to adjourn (Fishburn, Hampton.)