ADVANCING GREENWICH'S FOOD SYSTEM INITIATIVES BY LEVERAGING inspiration, knowledge and networks |
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~ Hello Greenwich Food Alliance ~ Happy Summer Solstice! Reaching out with information about our July meeting and a CT food policy recap. |
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~ Upcoming Meeting ~ Friday, July 28, 2023 9:00 - 10:30am Coffee For Good 48 Maple Ave. Kim Gregory is a new member of GFA, representing Greenwich Land Trust. Kim generously offered to host our meeting at Coffee For Good. Thank you! Kindly RSVP ~ ali@thefoodshednetwork.org |
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~ Guest ~ Malana Rogers-Bursen the Project Coordinator of Environmental & Food Justice and Sustainability at Wesleyan University will join us. We will learn about Malana's efforts to enhance networks throughout the state and how Greenwich Food Alliance can participate and be of support. |
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~ Policy Update ~ An Act Concerning the Office of the Food Access Advocate and Tax Incentives for Supermarkets in Food Deserts. PASSED! Recap using with clips straight from the bill: “The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, Equity and Opportunity … shall recruit and employ a person to serve as a food and nutrition policy analyst to help coordinate efforts in the state to reduce food insecurity, reduce or eliminate the number of food deserts, promote food as medicine and provide data on access to nutritionally adequate food.” There is a lot to this position such as: creating an interactive map and data base, producing an annual report on the state of food insecurity in CT, and administering a working group. |
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~ Policy Update ~ CT School Meals For All Recap from End Hunger CT Policy Director, Lucy Nolan: “The Connecticut legislature voted on the budget and allocated $16 million in ARPA funding for school meals. While that amount won’t fund universal school breakfast and lunch, it can go a long way to increase access to school meals. We are waiting for clarification on how the $16 million will be used. We expect the Connecticut State Department of Education will take on the task by creating a plan to move forward, building access to school meals and feeding as many kids as possible with the allocated funds. We believe the best use of the funding is School Breakfast for All!” The Foodshed Network (TFN) will continue to participate as a member of the CT SM4A Coalition and plans to engage GPS stakeholders during the 2024 legislative session. Please reach out if you are interested advocating for this important policy in 2024. |
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~ Policy Update ~ CT Grown for CT Kids Grant + Local Food for School Incentive Program Recap from FoodCorps Northeast Policy Director, Dawn Crayco: "We are so pleased to report that our efforts, including those of our committed and passionate lobbyist, Janice Flemming-Butler, and the work of our legislative supporters have resulted in a state commitment of: - 1 Million Dollar investment in the CT Grown for CT Kids Grants Program per year for FY24 and FY25 out of General Funds (not temporary ARPA funds). See the Governor's Budget Press Release for a mention - look under "Environment".
- The creation of a CT Local Food for Schools Incentive Program - We believe funds were appropriated for this specifically for FY24 and FY25 (we are still getting to the bottom of that); however, we do know the structure of the program (as envisioned by many of you) was adopted and the legislative language indicates unused CT Grown for CT Kids funding can be used to support the Local Incentive. (See Section 26 starting on page 26 of SB 1)"
TFN will continue to participate as a member of the Farm to School Collaborative. With the collaborative's help, we will explore ways Greenwich schools can benefit from this policy. If anyone is interested in participating let me know. |
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~ Policy Update ~ H.B. 6664 Organics Laws From the Waste Free Greenwich newsletter: "The Governor's waste and recycling bill passed in both houses of the Connecticut General Assembly last week and is now headed to his desk. The original bill was significantly pared back, eliminating extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging, but the current version has some promising provisions to reduce wasted food in communities like Greenwich, if signed into law: - Expands the Commercial Organics Law to include schools, hospitality and entertainment businesses and rehab, healthcare and correctional institutions. These large generators of at least 26 tons per year of organic waste must compost the material at a state-authorized facility.
- Eliminates the 20-mile radius requirement. Previously, only large organics materials generators located within 20 miles from a permitted source-separated organic material composting facility were required to compost the material. Entities in Greenwich - previously exempt - will now be subject to the law.
- Unfortunately, the provision requiring municipalities to provide food scrap separation and collection by 2028 was stripped from the final bill, but municipalities are now permitted to adopt an ordinance to identify additional recyclable solid waste, like food scraps."
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~ GFA Resources ~ July 2023 | Agenda Slack + Resource Tutorial | VIDEO |
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~ Value ~ The GSC-FSS + TFN values the promotion and elevation of equity, diversity and inclusion for a more engaged, just and sustainable community. We welcome anyone who is interested in food systems. “Food is our most intimate and powerful connection to each other, our cultures and to the earth. To transform our food system is to heal our bodies, transform our economy & protect our environment.” HEAL Food Alliance |
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