• OFBC update

The meeting began with a project update, noting that a detailed overview had been

provided to Bean prior to the session. Schley indicated that, due to a recent absence,

there were no additional updates from the previous meeting. Community information

gathering has largely been completed, and the next step involves coordinating with

Johnson to assess remaining representation needs and begin analysis of the collected

data. Interviews will continue through January, with recent conversations, such as one

with Martin, requiring multiple attempts but proving successful. Deduce software will be

used for qualitative analysis, with the free version currently sufficient, and additional

software purchase was deferred due to licensing considerations. The team is also

pursuing secondary data from CARES, campus sources, the Farm Census, and other

relevant databases, with participants encouraged to share access to industry-specific

information, particularly regarding restaurants and grocery stores.

Plans for a “soft rollout” of the report were discussed, modeled after previous public

engagement events, including information stations and potential focus groups to capture

underrepresented perspectives. The group emphasized aligning the report with actionable

priorities for the city and county, particularly regarding zoning, farmland protection, and

policy recommendations. Policy and regulatory audits were suggested to identify areas

where City Council or County Commission action could address barriers, such as land

use, property rights, and dining regulations. Participants agreed that focusing on a limited

number of high-impact recommendations-suggested as five-would enhance clarity and

engagement. The report structure will likely be organized by components of the food

system, grouping topics under each section to provide clarity while focusing on priority

areas. Existing frameworks from other groups may be referenced to strengthen the

presentation.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of considering broader issues, including

food waste, water resources, and food insecurity, as well as planning for potential

emergencies that could affect food access. Event planning was emphasized as an

opportunity to present findings and engage stakeholders, with a proposed “booth summit”

to bring relevant organizations together. Small micro-committees may be formed to

explore specific issues between meetings, provided compliance with Sunshine laws is

maintained. The draft report is targeted for completion by March, with flexibility to ensure

quality, and will be publicly available to inform the five-year strategic plan, expected to be

finalized by June 2026. The meeting concluded with agreement that Tish and the project

lead will meet regularly to advance data analysis, consolidate themes, and draft

recommendations. Participants were encouraged to provide input actively, ensuring a

robust, actionable set of priorities for City Council and County Commission consideration,

with continued engagement through events and micro-committees as appropriate.

The conversation shifted to committee structure and compliance with Sunshine Law. It

was clarified that forming subcommittees requires posting meetings, maintaining quorum,

and recording minutes. Participants discussed strategies for collaboration without

violating rules, such as working in pairs on assigned sections rather than forming formal

subcommittees, and sharing drafts through designated staff (Schley or Oliver) to

consolidate feedback. Work sessions were proposed as a method for reviewing

marked-up drafts collectively, allowing discussion and consensus on edits without

creating unposted meetings. The group explored options for document sharing, including

public comment periods or posting draft documents on platforms like BeHeard, ensuring

transparency while enabling collaboration.

Discussion also focused on balancing efficiency with compliance, emphasizing small

groups working on specific sections, brainstorming without exceeding quorum, and

breaking down the work into manageable parts. The importance of framing the report for

different audiences was highlighted-distinguishing between reporting findings and making

recommendations. Participants agreed on a phased approach, with a strong draft of

findings expected by March and the five-year strategic plan to follow by June. This would

allow time for input, deep dives into key themes, and iterative feedback while maintaining

alignment with legal requirements. The session concluded with a plan for the next

meeting to share common survey themes and updates, initiating a more structured

process for developing the report and strategic plan

• Food allergens update

During the discussion, an update was shared regarding Meyer’s recent meeting with

Jordan Bales, the manager of Safety and Environmental Health, and Chrystal Smart, the

supervisor of Environmental Health. They had an in-depth conversation about informally

incorporating allergen discussions into routine restaurant visits without making changes

to the food code, which would have been complex. This approach allows for education on

allergens to begin immediately, even if informally, and Meyer found the discussion very

helpful. Smart and Bales were able to provide additional insights that Meyer hadn’t been

aware of previously. Plans were made to continue this educational effort, with Meyer

integrating the information into her work.

V. NEW BUSINESS

• Current events/relevant food policy updates

Moving on to new business, the group discussed current events and relevant food policy

updates. Saunders shared his presentation from the prenatal and postnatal symposium,

highlighting the growing interest in diet-related meals, nutrition training, and food access,

particularly from Mohawk. He noted that the Medicaid coding used for these services

could also apply to Medicare, private insurance, and direct primary care, which CCUA is

exploring. It was mentioned that CMS had given CPC codes for food-related

reimbursements, but HHS declined to review them, favoring larger companies over smaller

programs. Trina Reagan in St. Louis is running a similar program, and there is optimism

about pursuing this work despite some bureaucracy.

Updates were also provided on the Access to Healthy Food program through the Farmers

Market. The program is accepting applications for the remainder of the year after receiving

additional funding and will continue next year. Eligibility is set at 200% below the federal

poverty level for households with children or individuals 55 and older, typically requiring

participation in SNAP or WIC. Concerns were raised about re-enrollment challenges for

SNAP, as many community members must reapply, and previous support from

Extension has been lost due to staffing cuts. There was discussion about potential

community strategies to assist with re-enrollment and verifying income eligibility for

programs, including the state’s common eligibility program, which would simplify

documentation requirements for participants across multiple services like WIC, Parks and

Recreation, and utilities. Overall, the conversation emphasized both opportunities and

challenges in improving food access and nutrition support in

VI. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF

• The group briefly touched on holiday well-wishes, asking if everyone had a good

Thanksgiving and whether they had enjoyed some food. The next meeting was scheduled

for December 17th, and members were given a “homework” assignment: to think of

potential themes for the five-year plan. Some participants noted that they had already

brainstormed a few ideas and emphasized the importance of capturing these thoughts so

they could be incorporated into the report when it comes time to write. This preparatory

work is meant to help streamline the discussion and ensure that previously considered

ideas are not overlooked.