City of Columbia, Missouri

Meeting Minutes - Final

Food Council

Department of Public

Health and Human

Services

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

4:00 PM

Regular

Training Room 1

1005 W. Worley St.

Columbia, MO 65203

I. CALL TO ORDER

A. Saunders called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.

6 -

Present:

Anna Meyer, Katie Molitor, Adam Saunders, Shannon Stokes, Kyra Barnard and

Corrina Smith

3 - Gabriela Weir Vera, Tish Johnson and Donald Jackson

Excused:

II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A. Meyer moved to approve the agenda. Molitor seconded and the motion

passed unanimously.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Molitor moved to approve the minutes for August 21st, 2024. Stokes seconded

and the motion passed unanimously

Attachments:

Draft Meeting Minutes 8.21.24

IV. REPORTS

A. Food Assessment/MFH

1. Schley provided a comprehensive update on the community food system

assessment, detailing upcoming initiatives such as tabling at the Hootenanny

event, the launch of an ambassador program, and the finalization of a consumer

survey. The discussion included feedback on additional surveys and the outreach

strategy, with a focus on avoiding overlap between different surveys targeting

consumers, retailers, and producers. The council members were encouraged to

contribute their expertise to enhance the outreach efforts, particularly in relation

to the ambassador cohort's influence on the strategy.

2. The conversation shifted to the survey strategy, emphasizing the inclusion of

diverse populations and producers in Boone County and surrounding areas.

Concerns were raised about adequately representing smaller communities, with

suggestions for focus groups to gain a deeper understanding of local needs. The

group aimed to identify weaknesses in the food system and potential policy

changes through the assessment. Insights from a call with food hub

representatives highlighted challenges in food distribution across the state,

underscoring the need for targeted interventions.

B. Other Agency Reports

1. Molitor reminded the Council about the upcoming CCUA Hootenanny,

scheduled for September 21, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Define Scope of Council

1. The meeting also covered the council's responsibilities, including advising the

city council on equitable food systems and promoting food policies.

Transparency and conflict of interest disclosures were discussed, along with the

potential for the council to establish its own branding identity. The group

explored achievable recommendations for the City Council, focusing on urban

agriculture and land use, while also considering the impact of existing policies

on low-income gardeners. The meeting concluded with discussions on policy

recommendations

B. Set Vision for Council

• Discussion focused on branding and the development of a clear vision and

mission statement.

• Review of successful food councils in other regions and their positive impact on

their communities.

• Consideration of coordinating future food council meetings.

• Molitor provided insights on discussions related to forming an informal group in

collaboration with the Community Services Department, as well as a policy audit.

Barnard mentioned the possibility of inviting visitors to future meetings and

conducting an audit of business licenses.

• It was decided to pause the finalization of the mission and vision statement to

incorporate cultural elements

VI. OLD BUSINESS

None

VII. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF

None

VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE

October 16, 2024 @ 4 p.m.

IX. ADJOURNMENT

A. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.