Healthy Sustainable Food Systems Initiative — Portland, ME
Date: 2015-10-23

Agenda
Mayor’s Initiative for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
 Steering Committee
 October 23, 2015
 10:00 – 11:30, City Hall, Room 209


  Welcome and Introductions
  The Mayor’s Initiative and Food Policy Council – strategic planning discussion
 (Ben- 20 min)
  Project and Subcommittee updates

 - Policy

 - Food Security

 - Enterprise and Infrastructure

 - Urban Agriculture

 - Institutional Purchasing

  Announcements
  Adjourn - Next Meeting –Mayor’s Initiative full committee meeting November 20,
 10:00 AM; Mayor's Initiative Steering committee meeting December 18 10:00 AM

Mayor’s Initiative for Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
 Steering Committee
 October 23, 2015
 10:00 – 11:30, City Hall, Room 209
 Meeting Notes

● Welcome and Introductions
  Attendees: Lisa Fernandes, Jim Hanna, Emily Horton, Ben Tettlebaum, Kris Rosan,
 Olivia Dooley, Laura Maylander, Megan Quinn, June Sleeper, Michael Brennan

 The Mayor’s Initiative and Food Policy Council – strategic planning discussion (Ben- 20 min)
  Summary: The Policy Subcommittee is spearheading efforts to form and then implement
 a Portland Food Policy Council (FPC). They are currently in the beginning stages of
 looking at foundational documents for that body. Interns Olivia Dooley and Kris Rosan
 are conducting research to inform that process. Ben is happy to share the current
 strategic plan with anyone who has not seen it.
 o Kris’ research: Structural Documents
  Most councils have a resolution or an ordinance that establishes the council.
 There can also be separate by-laws.
  Kris is conducting in-depth research on 5 other Food Policy Councils:
 Douglass County, KS; New Haven, CT; Tennessee; Santa Fe, NM;
 Madison, WI. She is gathering information on the decisions they’ve made
 and the hope is that their experiences will help to inform Portland’s process
  Kris is also researching the by-laws and structure of 4 analogue
 organizations in Portland: Creative Portland Corporation, Peaks Island
 Council, the Land Bank, the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
 o Olivia’s research: Outreach and Strategic Planning
  Olivia is helping with the formation of a FPC and assisting with strategic
 planning until December. Her efforts are currently focused on targeted
 outreach to help inform the structure of a FPC. She is conducting one-on-
 one interviews and will be circulating a survey.
  The overall outreach plan will be one of expanding circles—one-on-one
 interviews followed by broader community outreach to begin next calendar
 year.
 o Ben emphasized that the Mayor’s Initiative has already done a lot of
 groundwork that will help to inform a FPC. He stated that the process is
 iterative and that feedback is welcome. The interaction between the Mayor’s
 Initiative and a Food Policy Council is yet to be determined. The important
 thing is that the work continues.
 Lisa mentioned that there could be an interim strategy until a fully formed
 council emerges.
 Attendees noted that the Maine Network of Community Food Councils has a lot
 of helpful examples.
 Project and Subcommittee updates
 1. Policy
  Health and Nutrition Policy for city-run institutions
 o The goal is to create a policy that addresses nutrition and local
 procurement at venues owned and operated by the City of Portland.
 o Kris is researching structural documents from other cities and working on
 this policy with Stephanie Gagne.
  Emily Horton  reported that Chellie Pingree is working on food waste legislation
 that would address the full spectrum of food systems. The team is doing outreach
 in Maine and DC and is hoping to introduce the legislation at Thanksgiving.
  Jim Hanna testified at the SNAP asset testing hearing on behalf of the Mayor’s
 Initiative and the Cumberland County Food Security Council.
  Lisa Fernandes reported that the Resilience Hub is running evening workshops to
 discuss strategies for residential properties to get credits to reduce their storm
 water fees. The upcoming workshop will be on Thursday, December 10
 2. Food Security
  Jim Hanna is having conversations with the Portland Housing Authority as part of
 the efforts to engage the community. The Food Security Subcommittee has
 discussed having quarterly engagement meetings in the community. Jim reported
 that the local housing councils aren’t as active as they have been in the past.
 3. Enterprise and Infrastructure
  Ben informed the group that Jackie and Daniel are trying to get funding for a
 Food Cluster Analysis. They are hoping to work with Karen Karp Associates. The
 recent report from the Maine Food Cluster Project could help to support this
 work.
  Members of this group are having a meeting on 10/27 with City Manager John
 Jennings.
 4. Urban Agriculture
  Jeremy Bloom informed the group through an e-mail that a local church could
 potentially serve as a host for the goats.
  Ben reminded everyone that a previous intern, Mary Elizabeth, researched and put
 together draft language for a livestock ordinance.
  Lisa shared that they have a draft design for the Fox Field Food Forest in East
 Bayside. They are working with the community to create the edible landscape and
 the Parks Department is excited about it. Work parties have also continued at the
 Mt. Joy Orchard.
 5. Institutional Purchasing
  Attendees encouraged one another to join the Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative

● Announcements
  The Maine Farm, Fish and Food Innovation Challenge is November 20-22 at
 Bowdoin College. Contact Ben for more information.
  Food Forum for Mayoral Candidates: Monday, October 26, 5:30-7pm at USM’s
 Hannaford Hall
  Food Forum for Councilor Candidates: Tuesday, October 27, 5:30pm-7pm at
 USM’s Hannaford Hall (Portland Press Herald Article)
  Lisa asked the group if anyone had advice on the best way to connect with
 landlords or property owners
  The Maine Network of Community Food Councils’ Summit is on November
 20—this is the same day as the next Mayor’s Initiative meeting. Will bring this up
 with Stephanie.



Adjourn - Next Meeting –Mayor’s Initiative full committee meeting November 20, 10:00 AM;
Mayor's Initiative Steering committee meeting December 18 10:00 AM