Food Policy Council (FPC) Meeting Mon, Jul 20 2015 2:00 PM

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Meeting Information

  1. Administrative items – 7:00 PM
    1. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval
    2. Approval of June meeting minutes
    3. FPC Retreat: Monday, August 3
      1. Review draft agenda
    4. Conferences: (Remaining budget: approx. $2916)
      1. Closing the Hunger Gap—September 13-16 (Portland, OR)
      2. Growing Food and Justice for All—September 25-27 (Chicago, IL)
      3. Women’s Food and Agriculture Network—November—6-7 (Davenport, IA)

      4. Kansas Rural Center—November 13-14 (Manhattan, KS)

         

  2. Urban Agriculture Zoning Overlay Letter for Planning Dept. – 7:20PM

    1. Discussion and vote

       

  3. Homework presentations on peer community farmers’ markets (3-5 minutes per person) and discussion of lessons learned/next steps – 7:35PM

     

Does that community have a food policy council, and if so, how do they interact with the farmers markets?

Has the community undergone a farmers market planning process?  Any tips? Advice? Pitfalls to avoid?

Portland, ME

Emily Hampton

Wichita, KS

Ashley Jones-Wisner

Kansas City, MO

Crystal Hammerschmidt

Athens, OH

Kim Criner

Madison, WI

T.K. Peterson

Corvalis, OR

Boog Highberger

Boise, ID

Chris Tilden

Louisville, KY

Brenna Wulfkuhle

Bloomington, IN

Sandra Lawson

 

  1. Northeast Kansas Food Hub Feasibility Study next steps – 8:25PM(Marlin Bates)

     

  2. Subcommittee progress reports – 8:30 PM
    • City
    • County
      1. Branding for incubator kitchen
    • Community
      1. Buy Local Campaign update

      2. Chefs Challenge

         

  3. Public comments – 8:40 PM
  4. FPC member updates – 8:50 PM
  5. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00 PMBottom of Form

Present: Jan Hornberger, Dennis "Boog" Highberger, Ashley Jones-Wisner, Sandra Lawson, Crystal Hammerschmidt, Kim Criner, Marlin Bates, Carol Gilmore, Jennifer Kongs, Chris Tilden, Teresa Flory, Daniel Poull, Emily Hampton, Elizabeth Stewart, Jason Hering

Absent: Brenna Wulfkuhle, Pep Selvan, Jill Elmers, T.K. Peterson, Brady Pollington, Pattie Johnston, Tyra Kalman-Crouch, Jen Humphrey

Staff: Helen Schnoes, Eileen Horn, Amy Miller

Guests: Emily Ryan, Michael Almon, Skyler Adamson

 

  1. Administrative items – 7:00 PM
    1. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval (Bates to move, Jones-Wisner seconds)
    2. Approval of June meeting minutes (Tilden to move, Bates seconds)
    3. FPC Retreat: Monday, August 3 at Blue Jacket Crossing; 5pm Orientation, 6pm-9pm dinner and retreat; Food from The Purple Carrot and Merchants, wine available for purchase
      1. Review draft agenda: plan is to look back at goals, see what’s still relevant, what to add, where to go from here, then have subcommittees walk away with a few key priorities
      2. Retreat Packet (Helen will email out electronic files; hardcopies available for pickup at the Courthouse, too!):
        1. Timeline of DCFPC milestones
        2. Food Hub Exec. Summary: Food Hub Feasibility Study - Executive Summary
        3. ICMA report, Growing Local Food Systems: https://icma.org/articles/article/growing-local-food-systems-five-strategies-local-government-leaders
        4. Policy Options for Local Governments in Kansas: Increasing Access to Healthy Food: http://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/Policy%20Options_Access%20to%20Healthy%20Food%201%202015.pdf
        5. Review of goals from 2014 retreat and progress to date
        6. USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant application, executive summary
    4. Conferences: (Remaining budget: approx. $2916; see back of agenda)
      1. Open to any member, also have sponsored others to go
        1. See end of document
        2. We received a registration scholarship from the Closing the Hunger Gap conference to allow more than one person to attend (if FPC deems that a priority)
      2. Other conferences mentioned (emails have subsequently been sent by Ashley and Elizabeth with more details)
        1. Kansas Health Foundation: Advocacy Retreat
          1. September 3rd to 4th
          2. Only open to 100 people
        2. Kansas Obesity Summit (Food System Focus this year)
          1. November 17th, Junction City
        3. Built Environment (Sunflower Foundation)
          1. October 12th (pre-conference, focus on FPC); 13-14th October, Overland Park
          2. ~$100

      3. Anyone interested in attending should email Helen (hschnoes@dgcoks.gov). For August we will have a formal proposal for use of funds based upon expressed interest, costs, etc., to allow for a formal vote.

         

  2. Urban Agriculture Zoning Overlay Letter for Planning Dept. – 7:20PM
    1. Emily shared that the Sunrise Project had been talking with Jeremy Farmer and Leslie Soden about an urban agriculture overlay zoning change to help in planning for use of the site. June 23 City Commission meeting also addressed a maintenance code violation of the Cosmic Beauty School property. Jeremy Farmer tasked Planning to look into regulations around urban agriculture in Lawrence.
    2. The City Subcommittee has begun trying to identify where FPC can provide support; Amy Miller shared that the Planning Department is going to address a broader range of urban ag policies all at once, moving beyond the two initiating circumstances. Mary Miller, planner on the project, hasn’t really had a chance to get started, will dig deeper over the next few weeks. It’s hard to know where planning will go with this work, but it will likely be broader than “overlay district.” They are looking at urban ag as a use group for a residential lot. Urban beekeeping is being incorporated into this conversation now, too. Planning will eventually bring draft regulations to the Planning Commission.
    3. The group discussed if public meetings will be part of the information gathering process. Currently not planned, but also too early to definitively say.
    4. For its role, the FPC has drafted a letter to formally offer support to the Planning Department during research and regulation formation. Mary Miller will attend the next City Subcommittee meeting on August 5. Amy also advised the council to draft a wish list for urban agriculture policy. Crystal will be a conduit for collecting this list—share with her via email.
    5. Public Comment
      1. Skyler, Lawrence Fruit Tree Project: This citizen expressed concern about overregulation as an unintended result of this policy review process and that growing food in a city would become more difficult.
      2. Michael Almon, Sustainable Action Network: This citizen shared that he did not see an overlay district as the most effective tool. He suggested the review apply to the entire city of Lawrence as a use group within residential zoning category, so that different actions would be allowed by right or special use permit. He also questioned use of language about “proper gardens” in the maintenance code. He referred to the urban ag policies adopted in KCMO in 2010 for helpful lessons. He also shared that the local Food Not Lawns chapter wants to participate in this process.
      3. Emily Ryan: This citizen presented an update on her work, in collaboration with the City subcommittee, to reach out to bee keeping/bee hotel supporters in town. She shared that there’s some interest in distinguishing the language of code to separate beekeeping and bee hotels.
        1. Amy clarified that the City Attorney has already made the determination that hotels qualify as beekeeping.
        2. Amy said that FPC could decide if it wants to look at two separate standards.
        3. A draft letter to the City Commission previously in the works has about 40 citizen signatures in support. Amy shared that instances can be more important than just the # of signatures.

    6. Vote on approval of letter to City of Lawrence Planning Department: Poull moves to approve, Highberger seconds; All approved.

       

  3. Homework presentations on peer community farmers’ markets (3-5 minutes per person) and discussion of lessons learned/next steps – 7:35PM
    1. Eileen: made first round of screening, will hear in September.

Does that community have a food policy council, and if so, how do they interact with the farmers markets?

Has the community undergone a farmers market planning process?  Any tips? Advice? Pitfalls to avoid?

Portland, ME

Emily Hampton

  • No on both questions; nice website
  • Have mayor’s initiative on healthy and sustainable food system
  • Spoke with FM, didn’t think there was a lot of interaction between the two
  • Maine Federation of FM: Haven’t done, but referred Emily to Orono (did a study 7 years ago)
  • 2x summer market, new winter market
  • SNAP; everything grown/produced; have info booth with coordinator (only paid staff); have artisans/music
  • Cultivating Community—non-profit

Wichita, KS

Ashley Jones-Wisner

  • No FPC, have been politically denounced. But Harvey County (next door) is drafting a resolution for a regional FPC.
  • 11 farmers markets in Wichita; 4 under “KS Grown” with BOD, bylaws. Startup as “homegrown.” Issues with site availability/turf. See that they need a FM to help guide the process.
  • Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita. Could help out. 
  • City FM policy is cumbersome, but county policy is easier. So FM incorporate via county policy.

Kansas City, MO

Overland Park

Crystal Hammerschmidt

  • 20+ markets, from 5 stalls to City Market
  • City market: five fulltime paid positions. Open all-year. 8 categories for vendors, stall fees range. Covered pavilion.
  • Overland Park: $900 fees for the season. Covered pavilion, electricity provided. One long channel.
  • Neither have done a feasibility study, Overland Park looking for $$ to do a study. Was run by Downtown Overland Park Partnership, taken over by Parks & Rec.

Athens, OH

Kim Criner

 

College town; 40,000, 25,000 non-student

  • Only one farmers market, several market days; Vendor waiting list. 1972, couple people in park with champions in city government
  • Appalachian Sustainable Foods Collaborative—volunteer, not appointed. Goal to start staple food mission. FPC established 2009, no updates since 2013—now defunct?
  • ACENET serve more of the small entrepreneurial support, have commercial kitchen, canning, workshops, etc. Work with market.
  • Year round, indoors December through March (foyer of mall); some potential drama with location at mall. Potentially was going to end? Perhaps they offer space for free?

Corvalis, OR

Boog Highberger

 

55,000

Albany: 51,000

  • No is answer to both questions.
  • Two markets merged in 2009; 140 vendor pool, ranging from 20s to 50s.
  • Separate group with a winter market at the fairgrounds, outgrown the building.
  • SNAP match program, $2000.
  • Veggie Rx program.
  • “Power of Produce” as educational program for kids.
  • Restaurant owners buy tokens, shop at market.
  • Cautionary about moving to a covered space. (Vancouver, WA cautionary tale of takeover of the crafts)

Boise, ID

Chris Tilden

 

Metro: half a million over wide area

  • No FPC; There’s a Treasure Valley Food Coalition, 2010. First study was a food system/economy study. 2014 Tomato Independence Project. Disconnected from the FM.
  • Capital City Market is largest, 1994, incorporated by 12 vendors in 1996; now have 150+ vendors, shut down 6 city blocks.
  • Two staff
  • 2013, several vendors split to start new market in a revolt against rise in crafts.
  • SNAP match, up to $10 funded by local foundation

Bloomington, IN

Sandra Lawson

  • Demographics similar to Lawrence. Market run under Parks & Rec, located downtown in front of City Hall, use for restaurants. Space for 100 vendors. Only for farm produce.
  • No dogs allowed.
  • Saturday June to September; Tuesday market. Winter market December to March in elementary school. One paid position 10 hrs a week all year long.
  • FM Advisory Council with 9 members. Some overlap with FPC. Most members are vendors or consumers, report to FM.
  • Friends for the FM to enhance programs, help with low income, etc.
  • Monthly email starting in April with recipes, availability.
  • Have prepared food vendors (must submit their product to the board for approval—in February), arts and crafts vendors. Farmers pay $20 application fee; unsure about booth fees. Some type of point system.
  • Food vendors; $10 fee, 10% revenue paid back to market.
  • Blackboard to signup to be a busker (first come first serve); big entertainment stage.
  • Healthful Food For All Fund, half off all extra produce, then donated to  organization
  • SNAP match $18
  • City Council endorses the FPC

 

Reflection on FM takeaways:

  • There’s a broad spectrum of how markets are set up and established
  • Those that are more successful often have a permanent home
  • It seems to create excitement when you shut down a city street for market
  • Destination markets draw the most folks
  • It’s surprising that we’re not finding more strategic planning, engagement with FPC
  • Many markets operated on lot of volunteer time
  • Sponsorship (chamber, government) can really can help support the infrastructure
  • Events (music, crafts) create downside of grocery shopping at market

What do the farmers’ markets in Lawrence want to become?? What does each vendor think?

 

We’ll wrap up with a few more postponed FM presentations next month.

 

  1. Northeast Kansas Food Hub Feasibility Study next steps – 8:25PM(Marlin Bates)

    The group continues to progress in business planning and formation. Marketing proposal created and distributed, to be paid for with the Kansas Health Foundation $$ the FPC approved previously. The next meeting will focus on logistics for the business.

     

    Writing the USDA VAPG grant application, submitted at the beginning of the month, helped the group think through all of the steps they need to take in the coming months. The grant would provide approximately $250,000 of working capital; the group will accept the funds, if awarded, as a LLC but applied as a steering committee.

     

  2. Subcommittee progress reports – 8:30 PM
    • City: Working on urban agriculture zoning as previously discussed
    • County
      1. Branding for incubator kitchen
        1. Process continues with Chris Millspaugh. Marlin shared the final name options: Culinary Commons, Ignition/Ignite Kitchen, and Building 21 Kitchen (visually would look like “Building Kitchen”). General support for Culinary Commons.
    • Community
      1. Buy Local Campaign update (Farm Fresh Challenge)
        1. Helen shared an update about the Farm Fresh Challenge, which will kick off at Chefs Challenge and continue through the month of August. We have in-store events and a comprehensive communications plan for blogposts, social media, and photo/recipe contests to engage community over the month. Directories have been distributed to our seven grocery partners and the included farmers, who are hopefully in the process of making purchasing arrangements. We’ve done significant media buys, too.
        2. Residents can join the “challenge” by taking one of four ways to try local foods (focus on the “vaguely interested and sporadically engaged” consumer identified in the Food Hub Feasibility Study).

Participants can choose to take on one of four challenge options:

·         Shopper: Spend $10 per week on local food.

·         Cook: Use local foods in a recipe.

·         Taster: Taste something different by trying a new local food.

·         Adventurer: Choose your own adventure!

  1. We will have temporary tattoos, t-shirts, and (perhaps) produce costumes to further promote the campaign.
  2. We are recruiting “community champions” to help put a face on the campaign and provide stories of known community members who help publicize and give legitimacy to the campaign. Any ideas of community champions should be shared with Eileen and Helen.
  3. Group also discussed how the campaign relates to the farmers market in a positive way. Promotion at the FM could take place by farmers who are also in the stores; could have the campaign materials.
  4. Helen will send volunteer signup list soon about August 1 and August 2 “launch” events at the grocery stores.
  5. Website: farmfreshchallenge.com

 Facebook: facebook.com/farmfreshchallenge

Twitter: twitter.com/farmfreshdgco

  1. Chefs Challenge
    1. Event is coming up next week! The competition will take place on Wednesday, July 29th at the Fair from 5pm to 7:30pm. Competing Chefs are:
      1. Simon Bates, The Burger Stand
      2. Brad Brown, Bird Dog Bar at The Oread
      3. Vaughn Good, Hank Charcuterie
    2. Eggplant is the featured vegetable.

    3. Carol is organizing volunteers if you still want to help out.

       

  2. Public comments – 8:40 PM
  3. FPC member updates – 8:50 PM
    1. Emily shared that on August 8th there will be a celebration/fundraiser for the Sunrise Project at Hobbs Park, 5-8pm– Emily has fliers. It will be a potluck and pie auction!
    2. Teresa Flory announced she will step down from the council due to need to spend time with her family. She thanked everyone and has learned a lot.
  4. Adjourn full council meeting – 9:00 PMBottom of Form
    1. Hornberger moves to adjourn, Hampton seconds. All in favor.

Time and Date

Location

Hy-Vee (Clinton Parkway Meeting Room)
3504 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA