Healthy Sustainable Food Systems Initiative

Minutes Mayor’s Initiative for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems September 25, 2015 10:00 – 11:30, City Hall, Room 209 1. Welcome and introduction of meeting attendees: In attendance: Kristen Dow, Michelle Lamm, Selby Beebe-Lawson, Kris Rozan, Sarah Lakeman, Jim Hanna, Mary Alice Scott, Lily Chaleff, Tim Fuller, Olivia Dooley, Maeve Mcinnis, Elizabeth Pratt, Amanda Hutchins, Craig Worth, Michael Hillard, Jeremy Bloom, Stephanie Gagne and Michael Brennan. 2. Project Updates Amanda Hutchins updated the group on Portland’s achievements in the Let’s Move Cities, Towns and Counties initiative. Currently, Portland is tied for third place with multiple cities nationwide, and in order to advance our ranking Portland must make improvements in the Model Food Service category. Maine Law School intern Kris Rozan and Stephanie are drafting a policy that addresses nutrition guidelines, local procurement and sustainability that will be presented to Portland officials for their consideration. Kristen Dow announced Healthy Portland’s application for the United States Conference of Mayors 2016 Childhood Obesity Prevention Grant which was submitted with a letter of support from the Mayor. If awarded, the grant will provide support for municipally operated sites to increase their offerings of fruit and vegetables by 20%. The award amount is for either $100,000 or $25,000. Kristen Dow announced another Healthy Portland grant application for a Healthy Corner Stores Initiative that was submitted with a letter of support from the Mayor and the Portland Chamber of Commerce. This grant is for $150,000 and will be used to increase the amount of local, fresh produce that Portland convenience stores offer. Elizabeth Pratt gave an overview of the CHAMPS Grant to date. The grant ends in December, 2015 and was intended to address hunger through after school and summer meal programs. The CACFP application for after-school meals was new last year and 7 sites were established at Learning Works, the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. Currently the after-school meal program is on pause to give time to for the school to review and understand the data better as the reimbursements did not meet the costs of the program. The CHAMPS committee is considering contracting with East End Catering to prepare the after-school meals. The summer- meal program was a great success, with 18 sites offering summer meals and enrichment activities. The summer-meal program also benefitted from a robust marketing campaign which may be used for promoting after-school meals in the future. Craig Worth of Portland Public Schools said the school system remains committed to participating in the program and will work with key stakeholders to increase participation. Craig also stated that although Food Service Director Ron Adams has left his position, the school system remains committed to Ron’s goal of increasing local foods served in Portland schools. The National League of Cities gave a glowing review of Portland’s approach to adding enrichment activities to the summer-meal program and awarded additional funding to examine sustainability. Jeremy Bloom gave an update on the Munjoy Hill community garden project and Mount Joy Orchard. A $16,500 Harvard Pilgrim grant was used to create the new community garden located on the Eastern Prom which generated 45 new plots. The community garden was completed primarily with the help of community volunteers. Mount Joy Orchard enjoyed its second community gathering of the year and should be producing fruit by next season. The free fruit is intended for the community and can be picked and eaten at will. The next orchard of 20 trees is planned to be installed at PATHS. Stephanie will follow up with Laura Mailander at Cultivating Community to find answers to the following: How many people remain on the wait- list for community garden plots? How are people selected to receive a plot? Is there a waiver for low-income residents wanting a plot? How are new community garden sites chosen? How much time to residents usually remain on the wait-list? 3. Subcommittee Updates Policy – Kris Rozan announced that Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) will be partnering with local stakeholders including USM to host 1-2 Food Policy Forums for City Council and Mayoral candidates. Proposed dates are Oct. 22 and Oct. 27. Ben Tettlebaum drafted a strategic plan for the formation of the Portland Food Policy Council by summer 2016. The plan includes drafting documents for by-laws and a proposed resolution to be adopted by city council. CLF is interviewing candidates for an intern position which will support the implementation of the strategic plan. The proposed start date for the intern is either October 5 or October 12. Kris continues research on a possible food policy for the City of Portland that would provide guidelines for nutrition and local procurement. Ben is also drafting testimony against the proposed SNAP asset test policy that the Initiative voiced its support of. Urban Agriculture – Jeremy Bloom and Selby Beebe-Lawson discussed the possibility of a goat herd moving to Portland. Selby’s goats are currently living in Lowell, Maine but she would like to relocate them to this area before winter. Jeremy and Stephanie outreached possible partners for an urban farm collaborative, and are awaiting responses. Food Security – Jim Hanna announced the USDA’s updated food security measure which is now in its 20th year and tells the story of hunger in America. 3. Announcements  Portland Press Herald Interview October 24, 2015 12:30 Jim/Ben  October 16, 2015“World Food Day”  Facilitator for Steering Committee meeting on October 23, 2015- Lisa Fernandes  Michael Hillard announces Margaret Gray at USM, November 19, 2015  Public Hearing on instituting an asset test for SNAP recipients Oct. 6, 2015 1:00 in Augusta 4. Adjourn - Next Meeting - Steering Committee meeting October 23, 10:00 AM; Mayor's Initiative full committee meeting November 27, 10:00 AM