Food Policy Council (FPC) Meeting on Mon, May 21, 2018 - 6:30 PM

1. Action Item: Administrative Items
   1. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval
   2. Approval of April meeting minutes
   3. 2018 Membership changes – Open agricultural producer spot
   4. Kansas Alliance of Wellness Grant Update
   5. Budget overview ($2103.35) 
      1. Ashely Jones-Wisner – Registration for Urban Food Systems Symposium: $340
2. Discussion Item: Public Input
3. Discussion Item: Connie Fitzpatrick Report on DC Trip for Advocacy Leadership Institute, National Association of Latino Arts & Culture

1. Discussion Item: Harvesting Opportunity in Kansas (May 31): Symposium Update
   1. Review agenda
   2. FPC Member Volunteer Sign-up

1. Discussion Item: 2018 Food System Plan, Full Council Policy Priorities
   1. Review past work and discuss future steps

Goal 4, Objective 2 (Expand City- and County-led initiatives to make food more affordable)

4.2.1: Reduce and eliminate the sales tax on groceries

Goal 1, Objective 3 (Increase local food purchasing)

1.3.1: Invest in signage, shared infrastructure, and coordinated marketing to support Douglas County farmers markets

1. Discussion Item: Subcommittees 

1. FPC Member Updates

1. Adjourn

**Next Meeting: June 18, 2018 – Location TBD

In attendance: Lee Broyles, Marlin Bates, Camille Eichorn, Olivia Taylor-Puckett, Ashley Jones-Wisner, Christine Ebert, Jennifer Kongs, Connie Fitzpatrick, Inti Hirt, Kim Criner, Elizabeth Burger, Aundrea Shafer

Absent: William Vesecky, Joshua Falleaf, John Pendleton, Scott Thellman, Tamara Cash, Jason Champagne, TK Peterson, Brooke Miller, Michele Dillon, Michael Steinle

Staff: Jasmin Moore, Helen Schnoes

Public: Tyler Lindquist

1. Action Item: Administrative Items
   1. Determine quorum of members, agenda approval
      1. Marlin requested to be considered for registration for the Urban Food System Symposium (I.e.i)
      2. Approval of modified budget – Kongs, Hirt—All apposed
   2. Approval of April meeting minutes – Eichorn, Bates—All approved
   3. 2018 Membership changes – Open agricultural producer spot
      1. Kim reached out to the NE Kansas Beekeepers Association
      2. Tyler Lindquist attending as alternate for TK Peterson representing Merchants Pub & Plate (Food Retail Outlet)
      3. Motion made to direct staff to review and consider updates to the Council bylaws for designated representative to serve as proxy – Bates, Jones-Wisner—All Approved
   4. Kansas Alliance of Wellness Grant Update
      1. Staff reported they received feedback from KAW staff on a draft of the Food & Farm Council grant and that it looked good. Grant will be finalized and submitted this week.
   5. Budget overview ($2103.35) 
      1. Ashely Jones-Wisner – Registration for Urban Food Systems Symposium: $340
         1. Helen Schnoes, Ashley Jones-Wisner, and Public Health Law Center presented 2 abstracts to the conference that were accepted. KC Healthy Kids, Ashley’s employer, can cover travel/lodging for her travel and asked for her to seek out other supporting funds. Ashley finds that the Twin Cities, MN (where symposium is) is similar to KC and will bring beneficial learning.
      2. Marlin added to the agenda to ask for support for Urban Food System Symposium ($340) – He presented in 2016 when symposium was in Olathe and found there was good networking, including with some individuals who will come to Harvesting Opportunity Symposium the Council is hosting on May 31. Given this experience he is now hoping to attend this year.
      3. Burger moved to approve both conference registrations ($680) to send Marlin and Ashely to Urban Food Systems Symposium – Seconded by Inti – All approved 
2. Discussion Item: Public Input -- None
3. Discussion Item: Connie Fitzpatrick Report on DC Trip for Advocacy Leadership Institute, National Association of Latino Arts & Culture
   1. Connie Fitzpatrick reported on her time in Washington DC as part of the Advocacy Leadership Institute. This included visits to the National African-American History Museum, to discuss the intersection of race and Latinx culture (Latinx people have diverse racial and ethnic identities/histories). She met with staffers in Senators Moran and Roberts Offices, and Congressman Yoder. She presented key data about current and future demographics in Kansas for Latinx residents, including high proportion of young and lower-income individuals. Connie shared that few people had the background she had working on local food policy and its connections to culture.
   2. Helen shared that on May 9 the Douglas County Commission recognized of the national honor Connie received from NALAC and her leadership with the Food Policy Council. They declared May 9, 2018 Connie Day!

1. Discussion Item: Harvesting Opportunity in Kansas (May 31): Symposium Update
   1. Review agenda – The Council reviewed the agenda for events associated with its Harvesting Opportunity Symposium and pre-event reception.
      1. Wednesday, May 30 – Smaller event for decision makers / policy makers (~40-45)
         1. Farm Tour at Gieringer’s Orchard
         2. Panel at BlueJacket Crossing Winery
      2. Thursday, May 31 – Statewide symposium (~120 attendees)
         1. Reviewed Agenda for full day – Marlin shared that hosting this event will help advance on-going conversation within Council about economic opportunity in local/regional food systems development. Audience members will include FPC members from across Kansas, public health, farmers, funders, economic development, and food system “doers.”
         2. Bark Media has been hired to document action items, key ideas presented / generated over the summer based upon this event, to distribute to attendees and others in Kansas who are interested.  
         3. A videographer will both document key note presentations, panel, and make a short summary video.  
         4. Helen shared that there is a strong mix of funders behind the event: Sunflower Foundation, e-communities (Douglas County), Growing Growers, KS Farmers Union, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Kansas Alliance for Wellness, American Farmland Trust, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Food Policy Council, The Merc Co+op, Kansas Beginning Farmers Coalition, and Douglas County Community Foundation.
   2. FPC Member Volunteer Sign-up
      1. A sign-up sheet was distributed for members to volunteer. 

1. Discussion Item: 2018 Food System Plan, Full Council Policy Priorities 
   1. Review past work and discuss future steps
      1. Kim distributed a 90:90 work planning tool and the Council broke into small group to discuss their two full Council priorities, and identify opportunities for progress in the next 90 days.

Goal 4, Objective 2 (Expand City- and County-led initiatives to make food more affordable)

4.2.1: Reduce and eliminate the sales tax on groceries

Goal 1, Objective 3 (Increase local food purchasing)

1.3.1: Invest in signage, shared infrastructure, and coordinated marketing to support Douglas County farmers markets

1. Discussion Item: Subcommittees 
   1. Members received handouts of the 90:90 tool to use for next working group meeting. (Kim announced that the FPC Subcommittees will transition to being called Working Groups to reflect their purpose.)  

1. FPC Member Updates

• Helen presented designs for 2 signs that will be installed later this spring on Lawrence Transit Busses. Connie will coordinate volunteers to install on an upcoming Sunday w/ Health Equity working group.  

• Olivia announced she’s going back to school this summer – hoping to intern in Washington DC spring of 2019.  

1. Adjourn – Taylor-Puckett, Jones-Wisner – All approved