Newfane Community Meeting Food and Housing Committee Thank

Newfane Community Meeting
Food and Housing Committee
Town Hall
Monday, March 23, 2015
12:00-1:00pm
Agenda
1. Food (35 minutes)
2. Sample Mission Statement (5 minutes)
The Food Committee will work to address food access issues as they affect residents of the
Newfane Community in a way that works collaboratively with the broader community to solve
these issues as they present themselves. The Food Committee will work to do the following:
 Collect information on food, nutrition, and educational resources as it effects all
members of the community
 Establish relationships with community stakeholders that work to meet food access
needs for those in poverty
a. Review Mission Statement
i. Changes
ii. Suggestions
3. Cornell Cooperative: Natalie Cook (25 Minutes)
a. Questions
b. Discussion
c. Next Steps
Creating Healthy Places to Live work and Play grant. Grant started 2012 and last year was the
first full year of gleaning. The program has 5 main objectives, including gleaning. Gleaning:
rescuing food that would other wise be wasted whether in farmers fields, food pantries, or
soup kitchens. Gleaning programs collect that food and distribute it accordingly. Staffed
through volunteer pool and staff. Last year had four field gleans and market gleaning. Main
office located in Lockport with a satellite office in Niagara Falls. Other gleans in Orleans county.
Some farmers set aside food throughout the day at farmers markets to donate food. Goal:
reduce food insecurity and hunger, increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, and
encouraging sales of farmers while reducing waste.
County health rankings were 59 out of 62. Obesity and inactivity are high.
A food pantry can be designated as a distribution site. Would like to connect produce for the
pantries.
Farm to table dinner with produce obtained at gleaning.
Do not yet offer classes on food preservation. In process of obtaining training to do this due to
huge demand.
Needs as pantry, as well as capacity.
Have a farm to school program but is set up more for purchase as opposed to donation. In 8th
grade learn home and careers. Procurement and education. More gardening as opposed to
farm to table.
Healthy Kids, Healthy New York. Training in after school programs. Worked in Wilson.
Thank you for your time and participation!
Newfane Community Meeting
Food and Housing Committee
Town Hall
Monday, March 23, 2015
12:00-1:00pm
Process: Field gleans get 3-4 days notice that they are collecting produce. Volunteers are
rallied, food is cleaned and packed and sorted to go. Pantries are then notified the date, type
of produce, and how much. Pantries indicate interest and capacity. Depending on location of
glean they can pick up/drop off, or be picked up at Lockport site.
Cleaned: food is cleaned, but not ready to prepare.
Have enough volunteers, but sometimes struggle with notice. Ie; Niagara Falls but gleaning is in
Medina. Volunteers come from FB of WNY pool, master gardening group, Niagara falls block
club group, general newsletter list serve and community groups.
Funding: NYS Department of health. 3 applications out right now. Exploring options for full cycle
systems.
Last year had 3 different sites: albrook farm,
North Tonawanda: Bonnie’s pantry.
Just say yes, fruits and veg.
Possible to put together a flyer that advertises use of library cook books and other resources.
Pantry classes are held at the pantries.
Library has programming budget and could book the community center and sponsor event.
Newfane migrant pantry would need Spanish speaking.
www.cceniagaracounty.org Pick Niagara program.
Volunteer restriction: 18 or older due to liability reasons.
SEND OUT REPORT LINK
4. Housing (20 minutes)
5. Mission Statement
The Housing Committee will work to address housing issues as they affect residents of the
Newfane Community, including homeowners, renters, and members of the aging population
and work collaboratively to bring information and awareness to those facing housing concerns
and crises. The Committee will work to do the following:
 Collect information on weatherization, eviction, and rehabilitation resources as it effects
all members of the community
 Establish relationships with community stakeholders that work to meet housing needs
for members of Eastern Niagara County.
a. Review and Feedback
6. Housing Issues
7. Reach Workcamp: Church Volunteers/Coordination
Next Meeting Monday, April 27th , 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Thank you for your time and participation!