Westside Food Security Collaborative Meeting

Minutes
October 19 2010, at Steeves Manor

In attendance: Gord McGee (minutes), Sally Speers, Ross Moster,

Charlotte Roth, Zsuzi Fodor, Marnie Newell

Report on Fruit and Veggie Deal:

Sally and Gord met last Friday and on the phone a week before to
discuss expansion of FAV Deal:

• We are looking for a grant that will pay for coordination and
materials to expand the FAVD to deliver directly to those with
mobility challenges, isolated seniors etc. The project would
involve coordinating with our service agency partners in the
WFSA to identify individuals in need of delivery.

• We would also like to expand the number of sign-ups so that the

box is reaching out to more of our in-need populations.

• Expansion will help to end up with less surplus from food bought
in bulk, it will involve a paid coordinator and leadership positions,

• We discussed the issue of sourcing food from our urban region as

well as BC

• a 'two-tiered' pricing system (box price geared to income)

• issue of cold-storage related to expansion

• We considered the idea of teaming up with other organizations

that run food-boxes in the city, but see this as a potential
opportunity a year or two down the road.

• If cost of box is barrier, we can offer volunteering in lieu of

paying for food, and potential subsidization from grant funding
and down the road, potentially from revenue generated through
the box itself.

• Wanting to keep the small accessible feel of the FAVD, enhance

its social capital.

• Potential to look at youth doing delivery by car, or by bike for the

project

• liability issues with delivery, need liability insurance

 • kits market has ‘market cargo’ bike delivery program, could we
replicate that, challenge of having the time

• Look at ‘good food market’ in Toronto, and good food box’.

• Challenge of finding those in need and ensuring that they aren’t

deterred by ‘low-income’ stigma

Winter initiative

We had a brief look through the notes of the winter initiative meeting
last year and agreed that it was best to discuss the issue after
reviewing the notes and having members in attendance who were at
the meeting last year.

Ross: Neighbour savour VV event on Main Street had 300 folks came
out, giant community potluck with 60 kids; offering Fall harvest
workshops: chickens, bees etc

Series of cultivating food, cultivating community (Food Security),

Series called Food for all; Food Policy Council Meeting: presentation
from CoV on regional food strategy, draft of ‘Food Secure Vancouver
Study’-comprehensive study with metrics and indicators, Barbara
Jachin

Gord: Meeting facilitated by COV for groups offering pocket markets

and small farmers markets, looking for feedback on how the permitting
process is working and how the city can support this initiative; reasons
for the city offering different cost and permit issues to different
operators was discussed, Kitsilano Growers Market Survey completed,
results of survey and review of that project are to be compiled and
presented to the WFSC, Grant LOI written for Vancity EnviroFund on
development of local growers market, and F and V Deal expansion.
Kits Autumn Fair happening this weekend with a farmer and baker,
Saturday Oct 23rd 10-3.

Charlotte: UBC students want to make their own food.

Marnie: Gord to look into Sprouts at UBC, Food Co-op at UBC, as

potential partner for Fruit and Veggie Deal. SPEC is working with
partner schools, helping them run and take care of their organic
gardens on school sites, Marnie teaches by modeling classes, SPEC is
offering a canning workshop on Saturday, Community service learning
program at UBC is coordinating with SPEC in research needs: food
sovereignty, issues on the agriculture land reserve, ‘think and eat
green’ looking at quantifiable measures for looking at benefits of
school garden on the environment …CO2
Zsuzi: Going ahead with thesis on Neighbourhood food networks,
doing a CSL model work with the food networks, offering her research
time to the WFSC. Gord to speak to Zsuzi regarding her research
availability on isolated seniors.

Sally: went out to UBC on October 1st to advertise the ‘F&V Deal’, did
get a couple of people signed up, and therefore starting again to
deliver to UBC. Now have 18 boxes this month. Box is $17 or $12.
October 21st, 2010 is next packing day, third Thursday of every month.
Health Fair here on the 23rd of November. Sally will confirm the hours
for the packing

Action items:

• Gord to speak to Zsuzi regarding her research availability on

isolated seniors.

• Gord to look into Sprouts at UBC, Food Co-op at UBC, as potential

partner for Fruit and Veggie Deal

• Sally will to confirm the hours for packing up the boxes per month