Presentation to City Administration July 23, 2013

Transcription

1 Food Policy Task Force Presentation to City Administration July 23, 2013

2 WHAT IS? Government policy concerning the production, distribution and availability of food 2

3 WHAT ARE FOOD POLICY COUNCILS? 3

4 WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT IN RICHMOND? 4

5 WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT IN RICHMOND? Poverty is significant indicator of food insecurity, and foodrelated diseases like diabetes 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 children are obese, nationally Nearly 1 in 3 children in Virginia are obese Obesity and food-related diseases disproportionately affects minorities Children of single-parent households are more affected by food-related diseases, including obesity 5

6 FOOD DESERTS BY NEIGHBORHOODS 6

7 FOOD DESERTS AND HIGH POVERTY TRACTS 7

8 FOOD DESERTS, POVERTY AND ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION 8

9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT IMPACT FOOD ACCESS (CONT.) Lack of transportation 4.44% of residents that live > 1 mile from a grocery store and do not own a car (USDA-ERS) Grocery stores are not easily accessible by bus From some areas in Richmond, it requires a transfer Cost of a taxi to and from the grocery store can cost as much as $40 9

10 CHARGE OF THE FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE To advise the administration on food policy To make recommendations to improve food access To review available data and compile a report of findings Draft a plan to include recommendations in land use, economic development and health policy, which will remove barriers that limit access to quality, healthy and fresh foods 10

11 FOOD POLICY SUBGROUPS 1. Enterprise Development 2. Food Security 3. Education & Awareness 4. Health & Nutrition 5. School & Community Gardens 6. Quality of School Food 7. Community Assessment 11

12 PROCESS Subgroups were tasked with identifying developing a list of recommendations that would improve the food system in Richmond Subgroups were asked to identify their top 5 recommendations A total of 30 recommendations were presented to the community for prioritization On-Line survey was made available for additional participation 12

13 PROCESS (CONT.) With feedback from the Community Forum, the Task Force conducted a further review of the 30 recommendations and were able to consolidate similar recommendations. This resulted in a total of 17 recommendations to be presented to the Mayor and City Administration 13

14 TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Hire a Food Policy Coordinator estimated cost $100,000 per year 2. Create a local food hub/community kitchen that includes the development of communication education programs around food preservation, preparation and eating on a budget estimated cost $600, start up costs over a 2 year period 3. Revise city ordinances governing the raising of chickens estimated cost $84,000 per year for two additional Animal Control Officers 14

15 TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS 4. Increase nutrition education in schools by expanding Healthier School Food workgroups estimated cost $100,000 per year 5. Increase the use of fresh foods from local farms in school meal/snack programs estimated cost unknown at this time 15

16 HOW WERE THEY SELECTED? Task Force Recommendations Community Forum April, 2012 Approximately 90 participants On Line Survey Two Weeks Approximately 135 voters Votes were combined to identify the top recommendations 16

17 PRIORITIZATION OF ALL RECOMMENDATIONS Short Term Mid Term Long Term Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Create a Food Policy Coordinator Position Revise zoning laws for raising fowl Revise zoning laws to facilitate urban agriculture Expand use of SNAP benefits at Farmers Markets Increase nutrition education with Healthier School Food Groups Reduce/eliminate irrigation fees for community gardens Establish policy regarding use of pesticides, herbicides, etc. Use of vacant properties for food-oriented projects Create edible landscapes on city owned properties Establish grant program for food-related businesses Establish mobile farmers markets/bus routes to markets Implement city-wide marketing campaign promoting healthy eating Establish community kitchens/food hubs w/ educational components Expand use of local fresh foods in RPS to minimum of 10 percent Implement moratorium on establishment of fast food restaurants Provide funds to upgrade kitchens in RPS to meet new standards Create green career development program 17

18 SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS Publication of the Final Report Introduction of an O&R to Council accepting the Report Proclamation issued by Mayor declaring Food Day in Richmond, October 24 th in honor of National Food Day Identify 2-3 short term recommendations that could be implemented relatively easily Hire a Food Policy Coordinator to implement the recommendations from the report 18