Food Policy Council (FPC) Meeting on Mon, June 15, 2020 - 6:30 PM

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Meeting Information

Gazebo in Watson Park

Or attend virtually:

https://douglascountyks-org.zoom.us/j/97877843797

  1. Action Item: Administrative Items  
    • Determine quorum of members, agenda approval
    • Approval of May meeting minutes  
    • New Member Introduction: Dietrich Earnhart
    • Budget overview:
      1. $4,966.75 remaining for 2020
    • Upcoming 2020 Conferences:
      1. National Food Policy Conference: July 28 & 29, online, $75/person
      2. Urban Food Systems Symposium: October, online, $100/person
      3. The Power of Food (1st National Food Policy Council Convening): November 18-20, Kansas City, $tbd
  2. Public Comment
  3. Discussion Item: Racial Equity & Food System Connections
    • Optional sharing: how does systemic oppression affect or present itself in your food systems work?
  4. Discussion Item: Consider draft statement from the FPC on racial injustice affecting food access
  5. Discussion Item: Full Council Priorities          
    • Farm Tour
      1. Working Group representatives to temporary planning committee.
      2. Further Working Group ideas of priorities to illustrate.
    • Strategies for Engaging Priority Voices
  6. Wrap-up and Next Steps
  7. Member Updates
  8. Adjourn

Next Meeting: July 20, 2020, 6:30pm to 8:30pm | Location: Zoom and TBD

In attendance: Marlin Bates, Michele Dillon, Dietrich Earnhart, Melissa Freiburger, Sarah Hartsig, Tyler Lindquist, Jeffrey Maiden, Christina Ostmeyer, Rolf Petermann, Michael Steinle

Absent: Tamara Cash, Elizabeth Keever, Heather McPeek, Scott Thellman, Luke Ulrich

Staff: Kim Criner Ritchie

  1. Action Item: Administrative Items  
    • Determine quorum of members, agenda approval
      1. Motion to approve by Marlin, second by Tyler. Motion passes.
    • Approval of May meeting minutes
      1. Motion to approve by Christina, second by Michele. Motion passes.  
    • New Member Introduction: Dietrich Earnhart
      1. Comes to FPC from food research partnerships already existing with FPC. Member of Forward. City appointment.
    • Budget overview:
      1. $4,966.75 remaining for 2020
    • Upcoming 2020 Conferences:
      1. National Food Policy Conference: July 28 & 29, online, $75/person
        1. Motion to send up to 3 FPC members by Marlin, second by Sarah. Motion passes.
      2. Urban Food Systems Symposium: October, online, $100/person
      3. The Power of Food (1st National Food Policy Council Convening): November 18-20, Kansas City, $tbd
  2. Public Comment
  3. Discussion Item: Racial Equity & Food System Connections
    • Optional sharing: how does systemic oppression affect or present itself in your food systems work?
      1. The Health Equity working group is looking for guidance on carrying forward conversation around criminalization and racial supremacy impacts on food security.
      2. Discussion takeaways:
        1. This is an opportunity to demonstrate FPC is listening. Make connections and recommendations to commissioners.
        2. FPC should think critically about connections to food system plan. Make sure work is reflective of the community at large.
        3. Acknowledge disproportionate impacts of pandemic on communities of color also.
      3. On food equity/access and incarceration:
        1. Both foods made available to incarcerated individuals and the impact on nutritional intake / access of families outside the institution.
        2. Consider challenge of reintegrating into society / barriers of food system in this regard.
        3. Absence of KDA inspection for food safety in KS justice institutions.
      4. Staff will confirm and consult on the right direction and appropriate avenue to engage.
  4. Discussion Item: Consider draft statement from the FPC on racial injustice affecting food access
      1. A focus on incarceration would be intentional and responsive to elevated events in Douglas County.
      2. FPC has had success by aligning with other groups and staff working within local government. Maintain these connections and relationships for more integrated approach.
      3. Who else does FPC need to engage to inform their commitment?
      4. Summary: Propose statement on commitment at next meeting. To potentially be followed by a more in-depth, consulted commitment or recommendation of action. Also taking into account time sensitive decision making in the community.
        1. Will come back for a vote of approval by full council in July.
        2. Statement will come from full council.
        3. Form work group to enhance draft for consideration.
          1. Christina, Melissa, Marlin
  5. Discussion Item: Full Council Priorities          
    • Farm Tour
      1. Working Group representatives to temporary planning committee.
        1. Aggies: Rolf, Marlin, Scott, Heather
        2. Forward: Jeffrey
        3. Health Equity: Melissa will consider
      2. Further Working Group ideas of priorities to illustrate.
        1. Should plan for a virtual tour. Encourage more attendance and keep it safe.
        2. Showcase things FPC has impacted. Also maybe things they haven’t worked on, but want to.
        3. Make sure the result is tour that can be used for other FPC communications purposes.
        4. Expect budget request coming forward for the tour.
    • Strategies for Engaging Priority Voices
      1. Emerged as common thread even more over last two months amid COVID-19 and racial justice events.
        1. Minority owned businesses as voices to engage.
        2. Emphasize zoom attendance option as a way to make more accessible to folks.
        3. Plan for diversity in succession / recruitment planning for Council.
        4. Idea: Bring in someone to facilitate a community food equity forum. Another way to show we are listening.
  1. Wrap-up and Next Steps
  2. Member Updates
    • Jeffrey re: gleaning collaborative with Just Food. Organizing volunteers, farm list and preparing to go into harvest season.
    • Tyler: Forward: Toolkit implementation phase on pause until restaurants are ready.
  3. Adjourn
    • Motion to adjourn by Christina, second by Dietrich. Motion passes.

Next Meeting: July 20, 2020, 6:30pm to 8:30pm | Location: Zoom and TBD

Time and Date

Location

Zoom meeting: https://douglascountyks-org.zoom.us/j/97877843797 OR Watson Park Gazebo, Lawrence