Sustainable Food & Agriculture
Stevens Point rests in the midst of fertile agriculture land. The health of our community and environment depends on the strong relationships we cultivate between local farmers and families. The Sustainable Food & Agriculture Subcommittee will develop ideas for public policy (such as school district food resources) and private leadership (such as creating networks for farmers to sell their food locally).
Sustainable Food Subcommittee Chair: Carie Winn (carie.winn@bgclubpc.org) & Michele Bjellla (michelebje@yahoo.com)
Active Members: Nick Hylla, Jim Schickert, Chris Malek, Rory Bancroft, Guy Janssen, Greg Wysocki, Jeremy Rankin, John Sheffy, Bobby Gifford, Barb Grover, Mary Maller, and DeNae Dandridge
2009 Local Food Fair - March 3, 2009
Want to understand how local foods relate to community and personal health, food security and climate change? Interested to learn what community organizations are doing to address food issues in the Central Wisconsin?
Farmshed is providing the 2009 Local Food Fair to increase awareness of and interest in the importance of local foods in our communities.
Tuesday, March 3 from 5:30 - 8:00.
Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) North Commons
Highlights include:
- Potato Bar Dinner - baked potatoes with toppings provided by local restaurants (free, donations accepted)
- Local Food Play - The Emperor's New Food. An original production featuring local artists and highlighting local food's connection to our health, security, and climate change.
- Information and Networking Courtyard and Dessert- meet local farmers, sign up for CSA shares, learn about diverse organizations' local food-related efforts, and find ways to get involved in supporting local foods. Enjoy desserts provided by local restaurants.
Schedule:
5:30 - 6:15 potato bar served
6:30 - 7:00 The Emperor's New Food
7:00 - 8:00 Information Courtyard and desserts
The event is free and open to all interested people.
Farmshed Releases Their First Newsletter
Central Rivers Farmshed has published the first edition of their newsletter, known as The Beet (http://farmshed.org). This issue includes the following headlines:
· 2008 Local Farm Tribute brings out farmers and their fans to celebrate at Christian's Bistro
· DATCP, Americorps, and local schools partner
· Tomorrow River Chautauqua about local food and economy issues
· Farmshed Local Food Forum
· Sustainable Tables: Local Food and Chefs at the MREA Renewable Energy Fair
· Chef on the Square builds on past successes
Sustainable Food & Agriculture Subcommittee Recommendations (click PDF below)
| recommendations-food.pdf |
| food3-6-08minutes.doc |
| food2-21-08minutes.doc |
Thursday, January 3, 2008 Meeting Minutes
Present: Carie Winn, Michelle Bjella, Jim Schickert, DeNae Dandridge, Bobby Gifford, Jeremy Rankin
Vision
Motion: Michelle Bjella
Second: Jim Schickert
Stevens Point will make continuous progress toward becoming a local food economy. The local food economy will allow residents and visitors ease of access to food grown in the city and proximate rural districts. The fool will be raised, delivered, preserved, and prepared in a way that maintains and enhances the life-giving nourishment of the food and the productivity of the landscape. The system of distribution will facilitate a trusting relationship between the food producer and consumer. The food will be priced in a way that permits farmers to sustain excellence in providing a clean, highly nutritious supply, to pass that noble task onto succeeding generations, and to provide the strong economic base which allows solvency in all supporting businesses.
GOALS/OBJECTIVES/ACTIONS DRAFT
GOAL 1: Establish an urban agriculture community in Stevens Point.
Objective 1: Establish 100 community garden plots by 2010
Action 1: City Planning & Zoning department will identify & secure remnant/open spaces owned by the city by 2009.
Action 2: City will secure funds to support the development and maintenance of the community gardens.
GOAL 2: Create a community food network to process and distribute locally grown products.
Objective 1: Create a ‘canning center’ to facilitate the processing & distribution of locally grown products.
GOAL 3: Expand and improve the Stevens Point Farmer’s Market
Objective 1: City will make this a priority in the revitalization of downtown Stevens Point.
COMMITTEE MEMBER HOMEWORK
Michelle Bjella will invite Jeremy Solin to next meeting to educate food sub-committee on the history and possible objectives and actions for the Stevens Point Farmers market.
Michelle Bjella and Carie Winn will work together to brainstorm potential objective and action items to accompany the groups list of goals.
Adjourns
Resources
Farmshed Central Rivers Farmshed is a growing movement in Central Wisconsin to build and strengthen relationships between local farms, restaurants, retailers, and consumers.
Photo Credit: Irene Taves