OCFSN Veggie Rx Committee Agenda

Janruary 3, 2018

Attendees:

+Caryn Wheeler

+Cassidy Radloff

+Eecole Copen

+Jen Anonia

+Juliete Palenshus

+Kaely Summers

+Katie Furia

+Karen

+Lauren Lubowicki

+Marielle Slater HDFFA

+Nicolia (OCFSN)

+Sarah Sullivan

+Angie Treadwell

+Yesenia Gallardo

Agenda:

  • Participant Introductions/updates (MOVE TO THE END OF THE MEETING)
  • Equity question:
  • We recognize that systemic injustices exist- such as racism, classism, and sexism-and that these create and perpetuate conditions that sustain poverty and hunger. As we seek to create a more equitable food system, OCFSN members will help lead the way.The equity subcommittee of the OCFSN is gathering and drafting equity tools including an equity statement. We would like to solicit input from each of the working groups to help create a statement that is authentic, motivating and aspirational for the network. With this in mind, please work with the members of your working group by answering the following question in one paragraph or less:
  • How can and is the work of Veggie Rx advancing equity in our food system, especially for historically underserved or oppressed communities?
  • Specially designed for low-income patients to navigate their healthcare.
  • Poverty is the bigger issue
  • Need for more economic development – supporting small farmers
  • Wants Veggie Rx to support small farmers as well. Small farmers are facing the same challenges as patients.
  • Expanding focus beyond patients to greater food system.
  • Low-income, food insecure patients
  • Some programs connect Veggie Rx recipients to other programs that address poverty (gleaning project) to make the experience more participatory
  • Referral program (i.e. community gardening, gleaning, food security page)
  • Also help get healthcare partners up to speed on available resources
  • Problems of isolation in rural area
  • Empower patients
  • Referrals to outside organizations – 211
  • Equity is woven into all the work we do
  • Location/transportation – Prioritize convenience and cost to reduce access barriers
  • Include more languages spoken at service point and in outreach
  • Diverting funds from big industry to preventative care and small/local programs
  • Creating self-sufficiency mindset
  • Community Food Systems Indicators for Oregon – Lauren Gwin
  • As I think you know, we recently turned OCFSN’s set of Community Food Systems Indicators into a curated collection in OSU Extension’s Rural Communities Explorer; this was announced to the Network in the October newsletter (below).
  • In December or January, I plan to survey the Network to find out (1) if members are using the Indicators, (2) if they have questions or difficulty doing so, and (3) what additional support is needed, esp. regarding analysis/reports.
  • Before I do that, would you be willing to check in with your working groups to see if they know the collection is available? Could be as easy as forwarding this message to them, or bringing it up on your next call, if (and only if) you have time.
  • Sarah Sullivan – YES used it quite a bit, grant applications, affirm/validate surveys, # of people on SNAP, average age for farmers
  • Great to informing city council
  • 2012 or 2014 data – seems too outdated
  • Inaccurate data - # of farmers markets, grocery stores, etc.
  • Verification by locals would be valuable
  • Impressed by breadth of data. Not aware that info is missing.
  • Folks haven’t been using it a lot – one one group member said that she’s been using it
  • Link to CFS Indicators: The OCFSN Community Food System Indicators are an official curated collection in Oregon State University Extension’s Rural Communities Explorer (RCE). Get started by reading this very short introduction (with a list of the Indicators):
    RCE also made a 10-minute “how to” video tour of the CFS Indicators:
  • Veggie Rx Summit (MARCH 19)-

Concentrated time together happening on Monday, March 19th. Other partners/stakeholders that aren’t part of OCFSN will be invited.

Planning team meeting next week – reach out to Kaely or Lauren if you want to help plan.

Planners are seeking sponsorship. If it doesn’t come through, attendance would be $70/person, excluding travel and lodging. Will people be able to cover that themselves?

Potentially the day could start later so people can drive Monday morning and not lodge Sunday night

Possible topics: technology (evaluation, tracking, goal setting), streamlining technology, consistency in evaluation and measurement, shared handouts/resources, HCWH is starting to create a veggie rx toolkit on how to connect with community benefits and hospitals (meant for community benefits professionals). Lynn Knox is creating a one-pager “questions to ask,” statewide program delivery/branding, 101 orientation for newcomers, overview of variety of programs, program infrastructure (details, workshop solutions, peer coaching), funding related topic (funding sources, funding sustainability, accessing CCO funding, grant opportunities), 101 session on varied project components (location, community organizations, technology used, etc), what do funders want to see in the evaluation

Other suggestions? Get them to Kaely or Lauren.

  • Cost if we don't find sponsors or complete funding:
  • If 50 people attended it would be est. $70 (not including lodging or travel)
  • Caryn – CCOs will be interested in funding and being involved
  • Forms for event sponsorships on websites
  • Marielle – FUNDING topic
  • 101 session – very specific to the community that they were created, lots of layers. Many different components, how do people come together to decide how their program is going to work.
  • 3 examples of programs and how they designed and what was their process?
  • What do funders want to see in evaluation???
  • Measure 101
  • Measure 101 is a fee on hospitals and insurance companies that funds Medicaid
  • Measure 101 provides direct funding for Medicaid in Oregon and leverages essential federal healthcare dollars.
  • Caryn Wheeler – upstream public health
  • Karen - Pacific Source, Central Oregon Health Council, information on evaluation that could be reported out to the Oregon Health Authority
  • Special election on 1/23. A tax on hospitals and insurance companies that leverages funding for Medicare/Medicaid/OHP.
  • Measure 101 passed through local house/senate, and is now on the ballot due. This mirrors something already in place. CCOs, hospitals, health care systems, medical groups all support this measure. If lost, a large chunk of funding will be lost. Funding is matched by state and federal programs. If it doesn’t pass, ¼ of Oregonians are projected to be without health care coverage.
  • Group Directory

Please review directory and confirm information accuracy. Include others if they/you want it.

  • Updates? Questions?
  • COIC asked for data that would be useful for OHA. What does this mean? Biometric data? What metrics could be useful in this case?
  • A common issue. Karyn W. sends CCOs the OHP numbers of clients. OHA needs documentation that increasing access/knowledge of fresh fruits and vegetables is beneficial for the purposes of building a policy argument (for farm bill, or otherwise).
  • Maine study – company paid $2000/month for fresh food gladly because with every drop in A1C they saved $8000. Caryn Wheeler will send the link:
  • Here is the link to the article I was talking about on today’s article.
  • More details directly from Geisinger
  • Remember you’re always welcome to send any studies, questions, problems to the Veggie Rx google group. It can serve as a trouble-shooting community.
  • If anyone else is interested in chairing, feel free to reach out to Kaely.
  • Announcements:
  • Marion-Polk Food Share is looking for a full-time Garden and Education Program Coordinator! This position works to increase community self-sufficiency through providing access to community gardens, garden resources and community education opportunities. The Program Coordinator is responsible for the daily operations of the Food Share’s community Gardens Program and supports over 60 community gardens through network development, organization, training, resource procurement and distribution, volunteer coordination and garden consulting. In addition, they serve as the lead coordinator for the Food Share’s Community Education Programs such as Seed to Supper and Cooking Matters.
  • If you, or someone you know, is interested and qualified for this position, please visit our careers page at a complete job description and application instructions.
  • Actions:
  • Send RSVP for March 19 summit
  • Send updated directory information
  • Reach out to Kaely/Lauren if you want to be involved in planning the summit.
  • Next call – MONDAY, March 5, 2018 from 3:30-4:30pm