Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into a grant agreement with the Ohio Farmers Market Network to support FarmsSHARE (Farms Serving Health and Racial Equity).
FarmsSHARE supports neighborhood farmers markets and farm stands, community gardens and neighbors in food deserts by providing fresh, locally grown food through multiple distribution methods such as free distribution, traditional farmers markets and pay-what-you-can.
Created during the global pandemic, FarmsSHARE provided fresh, healthy food to people who were struggling to feed themselves and their families a healthy diet in the middle of an economic crisis. At the same time, Ohio farmers and urban growers found their farmers markets, restaurant and institutional relationships strained, even shuttered. Those who relied solely on direct-to-consumer outlets were significantly impacted by decreased or cancelled orders, just as the Ohio growing season was ramping up.
Today, while the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on supply chains, challenge our neighbors and farmers financially and emotionally, and global warming challenges our agricultural sector, FarmsSHARE will continue to connect Columbus area local food focused community organizations who feed their communities (host locations) and Columbus urban growers and Ohio farmers who grow the food. Recruitment will continue to focus on identifying organizations led by black, indigenous and people of color to serve as host locations, and black, indigenous and growers and farmers of color to provide the produce. The program will continue to purchase fresh produce from Ohio farmers and urban growers during the peak growing season to distribute weekly in our communities.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any disruption in service for at-risk residents.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into grant agreement with the Ohi...
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