Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a fiscal agency agreement with Go Columbus Agriculture, on behalf of ICANCO Community Development, in support of the South Side Family Farms project, and repeals previously passed ordinance 1967-2026.
After passing ordinance 1967-2026, it was learned that ICANDO Community Development is ineligible to be a grant recipient. Go Columbus Agriculture will serve as a fiscal agent on behalf of ICANDO Community Development to ensure that the work originally authorized in support of South Side Family Farms is performed.
ICANDO Community Development is dedicated to serving disadvantaged, low-income residents of the South Side. Historical disinvestment in this red-lined community has created systemic barriers that many families are unable to overcome, exemplified by a high school student population consisting of ~73% free/reduced lunch participants. Through its growing program, South Side Family Farms, ICANDO has donated at least 2,000 pounds of produce to individuals and local food pantries every year. It now needs to invest in a team of paid staff in order to serve the community in the long term.
For the past five years, ICANDO has provided produce boxes to 240 families and hosted 120-150 community members during educational programs every year. This growing season, it aims to match previous measures of success and offer a new health-centered, culturally relevant community supported agriculture (CSA) box for 40 families on a sliding scale starting at $35/week. ICANDO will additionally offer a summer youth enrichment program where 20 high school juniors and seniors will receive high-level training in agriculture, financial literacy lessons, and individualized career development coaching.
Emergency action is requested in order to expedite the execution of the agreement with Go Columbus Agriculture in order to begin undertaking the assembly and distribution of food boxes for families in need.
Fiscal Impact: Funding in the amount o...
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