Healthy Sustainable Food Systems Initiative

Minutes Mayor’s Initiative for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems July 17, 2015 10:00 – 11:30, City Hall, Room 209 1. Welcome and introductions of meeting attendees In attendance: Tim Fuller, Jeremy Bloom, Jim Hanna, Mary-Elizabeth Simms, Phyllis Reames, Mary Alice Scott, Susan McCleskey, Olivia Dooley, John Naylor, Shannon Brenner, Maeve Mcinnis, Mayor Michael Brennan, Stephanie Gagne, Craig Lapine, Ben Tettlebaum, Laura Hartz and Tina Fischer. 2. Food Forum Wrap-up: Findings and Action Steps Stephanie distributed a document containing findings from the June 26 Steering committee meeting and asked that subcommittees identify 1, 2 or 3 action steps that address at least one finding from the document to work on in the coming year. Most subcommittees are already addressing at least one topic area and they will continue the work that is already happening. 3. Policy Recommendations Mary Elizabeth distributed a document with her findings and recommendations based on the food policy assessment. One recommendation was to establish a procurement subcommittee, another to revise the zoning code to better address agriculture and the food system, specifically small livestock and beekeeping. Actions to improve our STAR (Sustainable Tools for Assessing and Rating Communities) rating system are identified in the document a well and can be supported by City involvement. Additionally, Laura discussed the beginnings of her research into Food Policy Councils nationwide. The group discussed initiatives versus councils and it was suggested that at the August Steering Committee meeting the group establish how to get the food initiative out of City Hall while maintaining City representation. 4. Mayor’s Initiative Funding Opportunity  Ben shared the MNCFC Phase 2 Proposal with the group. The document summarized the use of last year’s funding to: (1) conduct greater public outreach and community engagement; and (2) conduct a food policy assessment of Portland. The proposal for this year builds off this work and will broaden community engagement to include (1) food- related business in the private sector; (2) non-governmental organizations working to strengthen our food systems; (3) City employees; and (4) the public at large, including diverse communities. The proposed initiative to form a separate Portland Food Policy Council is based on findings from ongoing discussions. The funding will support an intern for 18hrs/week for 14 weeks. Conservation Law Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent. 5. UNESCO Update Jim notified the group that the UNESCO application was completed and turned in on July 15, 2015. The application is being reviewed and status will be announced at a later date. 6. National League of Cities Site Visit Stephanie summarized the site visit from the National League of Cities representatives with Mayor Brennan. The representatives attended the Summer Success Picnic which had nearly 300 attendees and were impressed at Portland’s creativity in combining summer meal sites with enrichment activities. Much of this was made possible through the CHAMPS grant which ends in October. There is the potential for the funding to continue in a different format. 7. Confirm date for next meeting: The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled August 21 at 10:00am. 8. Adjourn.