Farm-to-School Meeting - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 7pm

Present:

Chris Bedford, Gordy Alderink, Sally Alderink, Spencer Norman, Kim Wood, Doug Wood, Paul Kurdziel, Lisa Middlecamp-Lowder, Lisa Chalker, Kellie Gale-Butto, Tony Gale-Butto, Brian Clincy.

Agenda & Events

1. We viewed a new 4 minute video produced by Chris Bedford on the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools lunch program. This video is available for viewing on VIMEO at http://vimeo.com/12714576 The video is also available from the Farm-to-School Campaign on DVD for $10, proceeds will go to support the campaign's work.

2. We discussed our school snack and soda initiative. We decided the following.

PROPOSED POLICY

Muskegon County School vending machines shall only offer the following drinks and snacks.

Water

Reduced or nonfat milk (including soy or cow's milk). NO Flavored milks.

One hundred (100%) percent fruit and vegetable juices in single serving containers.

Fruit based drinks containing one hundred (100%) percent fruit juice with no caloric or non-caloric sweeteners added.

All drinks containing non-caloric sweeteners (diet drinks) are prohibited.

All drinks containing caffeine are prohibited.

Snacks sold in Muskegon County school vending machines shall meeting the following criteria.

Not more than thirty-five (35%) percent of total weight shall be from sugar and caloric sweeteners with the exception of fruits and vegetables that have not been processed with added sweeteners or fats.

Not more than thirty-five (35%) percent of total weight shall be from fat with the exception of seeds and nuts; snack mixes and other foods of which nuts are part must meet the thirty-five (35%) requirement.

Not more than ten (10%) percent of calories shall be from saturated fat.

Shall not contain transfats that are added during processing.

At least one (1) item meets the snack criteria in each vending machine shall meet the FDA definition of "low sodium" (less than 140 mg per serving).

The group present agreed this should be our demand.

Paul Kurdziel of Bunker Middle School volunteered to make his school the demonstration school for the new policy. He will work to get his district to agree to this demonstration. Bunker Middle School has 585 students.

3. Community Food Fair - Sunday, August 8, 2010 from 3-5pm at Christ Temple Church in Muskegon Heights.

There will be a planning meeting for this event held at Christ Temple on Wednesday, June 30th at 11am. All people interested in participating in this event are well. Contact Spencer Norman at 231-747-7664 for more information.

4. Love Community Garden controversy

Kim Wood reported that a couple living across the street from the Love Community Garden at 8th and Monroe Avenue in the Nelson neighborhood garden has threatened community gardeners with racial slurs and loud voices in an effort to disrupt the gardening. The campaign is going to investigate the details of this situation and report back to the group.

Such attacks are absolutely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. More late.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 7th at 7pm at Orchard View Community Education.