CFSC of the Whole Meeting Minutes

CFSC of the whole Meeting Minutes

Present: Lewis Kuhlman, Nic Nichols, Nicole Larson, Quinn Devlin, KarlenaBrailey, MartinaMellang, Susan Onsman, Sue Noble, Jason Larsen, Erica Black, Vicki Miller, Lindsay Menard, Kim Cable, Shannon Havlik

Update on coalition developments

• Coalition infrastructure: Appendix A
• Survey Results: available upon request

The food system’s dynamic workingparts

• Shannon Havlikshared about her journey throughout life and how it has been impacted by the food system and rural agriculture. She also shared some of the struggles that the Wisconsin Local Food Network (WLFN) has had and how they are still working to overcome them.
• We need a community food system because it focuses on meeting the cultural, physical, social, economic and environmental needs of all members of the community. It encourages the development of just, sustainable relationships between the people who grow the food, process the food and eat the food.
• Food systems are unique in every community but the if we want to live in an area that supports a prosperous food system, we need to find common ground and work towards that end. Finding our way to our own unique food system is essential if we want to make a true impact on what and where our foods are grown as well as who grows them. We as community members can have the power to affect every little piece, all we have to do is come together and make that decision.
• Lewis Kuhlman shared what a food system should do as how we, in our community can get there. A community food system is one in which one in which sustainable food production, processing, distribution and consumption are integrated to enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place.
• Community food systems require existing community organizations and everything from land, equipment, trucks, storage, and retail spaces to regulations, policies and education.
• CFSC should meet the food needs of low-income communities through job training, business skill development, urban greening, farmland preservation and community revitalization. Focus on building up the community’s food resources to meet its own needs. Develop self-reliance/empowerment by enhancing individuals’ abilities to provide for their own food needs. Protect local agriculture by building better links between farmers and consumers. Take a food systems approach that incorporates collaborations between multiple agencies, groups and households and the linking together of all aspects of the food system.

We now have a Mission, Vision, and tag line!!!!

Coulee Food System Coalition

engage. empower. connect.

• We envisiona collaborative and bountiful community food system that nourishes the health and well-being of all
• Our missionis to build a diverse and sustainable food system

Food for All Mini Grants

• We are reinvesting the Frank Foundation Grant money back into our coalition. We already have good things going on; let’s connect them to each other. Enhancing relationships between the sectors of the food system that do not traditionally work together is how we will build long term partnerships that will for more sustainable outcomes for our food system. Our hope is that when these projects are initiated, meaningful relationships will have been made that will last into the future and provideinfrastructure facets to our unique food system in La Crosse County. There will be two rounds of grants awarded: round one will be awarded and outcomes/results will be analyzed for the purpose of identifying and directing funds to needed areas in round two.
• Timeline:

-Now-August- assessment of existing data, new data that is needed will be done to identify gaps and over laps in services. Types of data: chronic disease in low income individuals having to do with poor nutrition; food security data; low income population assessment data; burden and compass now needs assessment data, ect..

-Late July-release application & existing assessment data/plan information that will help write mini grants & plan projects. We want a couple of weeks to contact more individuals that may be interested in applying for a project during the first round.

-Early October-Mini grant deadline (funds need to be used within 18mos, extensions available)

-Late October-awards announced

-Information regarding the grant process will be on the within the next tow weeks. for questions contact Quinn or

Coulee Food System Coalitionengage. empower. connect

Establishing Infrastructure & Benchmarks