Meeting minutes from July 2011

Jul 27, 2011 by erika

Richmond Food Security Society Minutes- July 27, 2011

In Attendance: Ian Lai, Alex Nixon, Jennifer Hill, Lois Carson Boyce, Dee Bowley-Cowan, Larry Tolton, Erika Koenig-Workman. Deneanne Quamme, Janice Lambert, Erika Simms, Arzeena Hamir

Introduction to Erika Simms, hired as the new Admin Assistant
Approval of minutes from June 16, 2011 meeting
Free Bus to Terra Nova- Greenhouse Social Club from Monday July 4^th- August 29^th from 11:30am to 2:30pm. The bus picks up seniors at Minoru, City Centre, West Richmond and Thompson Community Centres.

There have been about 3-4 people each week and about 6 youth. Arzeena had a meeting with Renata- would like to run the bus for a longer period of time possibly started in May. Renata will apply for a grant from New Horizons for seniors to cover the cost of running the bus and to pay for a coordinator at the Sharing Farm to oversee the project

Arzeena is also looking into a different schedule but would like to make sure that it is an intergenerational program that involves youth and seniors.

4. Farm to school – coordinator position filled by Ian Lai. The program connects farmers to school programs; there are six schools in Vancouver that will be running the program. Richmond schools had the opportunity to start with a sum of $20,000 from Vancouver Coastal Health. Since no Richmond schools took on the program the grant will need to be re-applied for

Suggestions from Arzeena to help promote the program in Richmond- change position to the school yard society

Erika Simms will send email to principal at Manoah Steves Elementary School, as well talk to members of the RDPA to help promote the program

Other options considered were looking at before and after school care. Programs at West Richmond, South Arm, YMCA programs at several schools as well.

5. Food Preservation Workshops: Starting next Tuesday August 2^nd

Free drop in canning sessions from 5-7pm at the Garrett Wellness Centre- in August. Minoru Seniors Centre in September. Anyone welcome. There will be a canning workshop in September- TBA

6. Garlic Festival- Details – August 14^th from 10am to 2pm fundraiser for the sharing farm- Garlic for sale $3 each or 1lb for $15.

a. Friday August 5^th -Potluck/work party to help process garlic for sale

b. Back yard fruit tree picking phone line has been set up

7. Incubator farm update: All is working well! The walk behind tractor is working well. Produce should be ready soon at Gilbert road farms

8. Reminder: World Food Day- Film Feastival

Food Security Film Feastival- Food Security, It’s in Your Hands to be hosted by Oxfam, Dirt to be hosted by Western Canada Wilderness Committee and 3^rd film still to be decided

Other Event information: tables available for groups- possible groups are Community meals, Oxfam, Richmond Food Bank

Suggestions to have an interactive map with gardens and local food sources including the school gardens

Additional items: Sharing farm will run a Saturday market to sell excess produce from 10am to 2pm. The profits from this market will be returned to education programs. Announcement to be made on website

Meeting Adjourned 4:45pm