Jenny Goforth did a fantastic job of emceeing the meeting and guiding the group through the day. Diane Smith gave a wonderful presentation. If interested go here: https://prezi.com/gn2qhlcubw05/copy-of-copy-of-stakeholder-meeting/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy.
Susan Butler of the SVCC culinary arts program helped students plan and prepare a beautiful lunch sourcing as much local, seasonal food as possible. Thank you to Erik Olsen of Well Fed Farm, of the SFFSP steering committee, for providing the local, organic chicken.
The farmers of the group, Sal Morales, Erik Olsen and Cole Bitzenburg helped the group start flats of squash for the Skagit Valley Community College's new community food garden.
Keynote speaker, Kathleen McLaughlin McCabe, Executive Director of Good Cheer Food Bank and Thrift Stores on Whidbey Island shared her story of creating a food bank that operates more like a grocery store. Food bank clients are granted a certain number of points per month to use at the food bank that has food displayed on shelves like a grocery store. Each item is assigned a point value. The food bank is funded by an on site thrift store. They also have an abundant community garden that provides for the food bank as well.
Erica Lamson of WIC presented the information gathered at the six listening sessions held around the county, which focused on what is working for low income consumers to access local, healthy food. I will try and track down a summary of this information and share it.
At the end of the day, the 34 participants responding to this information and their own areas of focus grouped and brain stormed. They discussed what stakeholders they considered essential to further evaluation and planning. They also brainstormed additional information needed to further go forth on the Skagit Food For Skagit People project, which should one day make WSU and Community Action of Skagit County applicable for a community planning grant that will help to create greater food security for all Skagitonians.
If interested in being invited to the next Skagit Food For Skagit People Stakeholder meeting, June 23rd from 10 am to 3 pm, contact:
Cole Bitzenburg
Field to Family Coordinator
Skagit Food Distribution Center (Sedro-Woolley)
Community Action of Skagit County
coleb@communityactionskagit.org
360.416.7585 ext. 1189
208.731.4142
Thank you to all who attended. Chuckanut Transition folks and their input where an important part of the conversation and future possibilities around increasing food security in Skagit County.
Sincerely,
Sarai Stevens
Chuckanut Transition Initiating Committee
To read more about the particulars discussed refer to the Skagit Food For Skagit People May 2015 e-bulletin.