Action Team Meeting April 2012
Richmond Food Security Society – Action Team minutes
April 19, 2012
In Attendance: Colin Dring, Arzeena Hamir, Erika Simms, Alex Nixon, Anne Swann, Lois Carson-Boyce, Debbie Brow, Gretchen Frazer, Minoo Javadi, Marilyn Churchill, Janice Crowe, Deneanne Quamme, De Whalen, Rod Belleza- School Trustee
Round Table introductions
1. Additions to Agenda: 9. Food Programs at schools, 10. Mary’s memorial
March 15th minutes approved
Updates to previous minutes: Water makes money movie- about 30 people attended the film and discussion. Information regarding Richmond becoming a blue community. For further information go to: keepwaterpublic.ca
2. Earth Day Update: 1st event will take place on April 21st at the Brighouse Library. From 10am-2pm. The RFSS, Sharing Farm, Amnesty, Oxfam, Karin’s Eco contest and the City of Richmond will be attending.
Action: Erika to send out details for the event
2nd event will take place on April 22nd partnering with the City for the community garden clean up at King George Park. The clean up will take place from 10am – 12pm. From 12pm – 2pm there will be a ceremony and speeches.
3. Asian Heritage Month: May is Asian Heritage month. Ian will be teaching two cooking classes incorporating local ingredients. These classes will be taught at Garratt Wellness Centre on May 10th/11th at 6pm
We are planning for a forum to raise awareness around food issues with a panel of speakers including a doctor (GP), a farmer and an elderly Richmond resident.
Open discussion and ideas for content were discussed. Lois will contact Cheryl, possible cooking contest between Chinese restaurants, suggestion to contact Michael Yu at Fairchild radio.
Date will need to be set, this event will be open to the public and will be advertised through Facebook, Twitter and an email blast. Another source of advertising could be through the Chowtimes, a community blog, community tv is another source suggested y Lois.
Action: De Whalen will send contact information for Michael Fairchild to Colin. Date and venue to be set – Cultural Centre was the suggested location for the event.
4. Local Food Guide- No update
5. Eco- Contest update: Karin sent her regrets
6. Seed Library Expansion: Erika reported that she recently received an email from
The Richmond Public Library in California. They have a large seed library and are working hard to expand it, they have staff that are dedicated the seed library. We are hoping to set up a meeting with the our local library staff to look into the idea of having a proper home for the seed library so the community can access it at all times.
The website is http://www.richmondgrowsseeds.org/
Action: Erika to contact Lee Anne at the library to discuss the possibility. Erika will also send out the Youtube video- ‘How to use the Richmond Seed Library’
7. GE Resolution: City Staff have revisited the GE resolution to have Richmond become a GE free zone. It has been two years since this issue was brought before Council. Although the Agricultural Advisory Committee felt that it would be better to address the ‘labelling of GMO’s’ than to have a bylaw for GE free community. Arzeena has started a petition that will go forward to the City Council with a statement of wishes from the community. With this resolution we hope that local farmers will write to council to support this resolution.
http://www.richmond.ca/cityhall/council/agendas/council/2010/062810_minutes.htm
| Arzeena Hamir, Richmond Food Security Society, joined by April Reeves, GE Free BC member, distributed a revised resolution (Schedule 5). Ms. Reeves provided background information and noted that her group is seeking a Council resolution for Richmond to be free of genetically engineered plants, trees and crops. |
| In response to queries from Council, Ms. Reeves advised that most genetically engineered crops are commodities such as corn, soy, canola and cotton. However, she noted that it is anticipated that vegetables will soon be genetically engineered and the proposed resolution would protect Richmond’s farmers. |
| Ms. Hamir spoke of other genetically engineered foods and provided information on food patents in the United States. |
| As a result of the presentation, the following referral motion was introduced: |
| It was moved and seconded |
| That the proposed resolution from Genetically Engineered Free BC be referred to staff and to the Richmond Agricultural Advisory Committee and other appropriate parties for comment, and to report back through Committee. |
| The question on referral motion R10/11-17 was not called as staff were directed to also advise Council on the City’s regulatory authority in relation to this issue. |
| The question on referral motion R10/11-17 was then called and it was CARRIED. |
Action: Arzeena to send a background for the resolution to Gretchen
8. Community Garden Party: The Young Parents community are planning a group gathering on June 9th at the Garratt Wellness Centre. There will be an invitation sent out to the Community and the RFSS. Susan Leeham will be working on an educational component. Kareen Hudson will send the invite to Erika
Action: Erika will send out the invitation to the RFSS Action Team
9. Food programs in schools: Arzeena reported: Since the Farm to School Conference in Richmond the Farm to School Program has applied for extra funding from the Vancity Enviro Fund Grant. The deadline of this grant has been moved to May 21st. The program is looking for funding for new schools to expand into. Currently, Richmond is not listed as a community to expand into. We would like to see a farm to school program in place in Richmond and thought that a natural starting point might be to go through the General Currie School’s breakfast program.
Rod Belleza attended the meeting to discuss his motion that was made at the School Trustee’s meeting on April 2nd
The motion of the Mr. Belleza was to have the School District prepare a report for the Board with recommendations on help resolve these issues. He requested our help to find the children who are living in poverty although he clearly stated it is up to the district staff to make the decision on how they will approach to help obtain this information. Our stakeholders would like to step up to help to identify strategies to help with poverty in the schools.
Action: Colin will arrange meeting
http://www.sd38.bc.ca/board/board_minutes/Minutes%20of%20Apr%2002%202012%20Public%20Meeting.pdf
10. Mary’s Memorial: will be on Saturday April 21st at the Chinese Bunkhouse from 11am – 3pm. There will be a service from 11am – 12pm followed by a potluck lunch. The family is requesting flowers, bloom and petals. Donations in Mary’s name will be accepted by the Sharing Farm, Minoru Residence and the Richmond Food Bank.
Meeting Adjourned at 5pm
Next meeting May 17, 2012
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