CAFE Coalition
August 3, 2022
2:00 pm
Meeting Notes:
OneRouge + Capital Area Food Equity Coaltion Overview:
Clarity of Aspirational Statement + Goals
Watch this video to understand the overall structure of OneRouge, and it’s coalitions.
Foster an inclusive community culture in our city that leads to equitable opportunities for all
Defining CAFE within OneRouge
Mission statement for CAFE
Decrease the number of individuals in the Capital Region experiencing food insecurity
CAFE Goals
End hunger with sustainable and equitable access to 3 healthy meals a day, every day.
Teach to grow by providing opportunities for local, sustainable food production; promote economic development of food production and sales at all levels.
Promote greater utilization and access to existing feeding programs; SNAP; insure people who are eligible are registered to purchase necessary healthy food.
Promote collaboration across organizations and working groups within CAFE and OneRouge to move the needle on lasting and meaningful systems change.
Clarity of OneRouge/Structure
Working Groups vs. Task Forces
Working Groups: Recurring short-term and long-term planning and action
Task Force: Immediate events and one-time action (ex: disaster response)
Download the PPT shown during the meeting here.
Established CAFE Working Groups Breakouts:
1.1 Equity/Access
1.2 Family & Child Hunger
1.3 Senior Hunger
2 Farmers
3 Advocacy
*PLEASE NOTE: For this coalition meeting, we combined 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. Going forward these Working Groups will be in separate breakout rooms.
Question to Answer/Activity:
Identifying Workgroups’ goals from CAFE’s listed goals - and long-term/short-term action for those goals.
List out ideas and activities related to the matched goal: Teach to grow by providing opportunities for local, sustainable food production; promote economic development of food production and sales at all levels.
Equity/Access, Family & Child Hunger, Senior Hunger Breakout
Jan Ross (Wilson Foundation, CAFE Co-Chair)
Helena Williams (Walls Project)
Casey Phillips (Walls Project)
Mike Manning (BR Food Bank)
Katrina Coots (BREC)
BREADA
Challenges:
Define “nutritious” vs. what is desired
Variety of partners to increase access
Addressing “pride” withholding individuals from seeking support
Opportunities:
Funding and collaborations
Community-based:
Food Bank: Expanded in some areas and in the nutritious food provided
BREADA: Drive-thru popular, SNAP-match up to $15, offering Senior coupons for Farmers Market (all have marketing support potential - to share with partners and coalition members)
Three O’Clock Project: Food to kids not near schools, waiver with no drop-off; work closely with supporting schools systems and charters to have conversations on pain points
LSU: 2020 and 2021 saw an huge uptick on pound of food shared. 2022 almost 240,000 lbs ( double from previous year); volunteers are needed to help (opportunity for CAFE volunteer recruitment)
SU: To make a report on what is possible/available at SU
BRCC: Pantry available (Mike Manning from Food Bank has contacts)
BREC: 57 facilities that can become pantries depending on rules
Food Bank has updated to be able to share foods to partners that serve “Just in Time” hybrid pantry
Feeding Louisiana: On search for new ED
CDC has the ability to bring a Public Health Person to work at any food distribution location
Farmers Breakout
Kelli Rogers (GGH Baton Roots, AHA, Top Box, YMCA, BRAEDA, Scottlandville)
Mitchell Provensal (Baton Roots)
SK Groll (Baton Roots)
Pepper Roussel (OneRouge)
Opportunities;
Expanding the reach of these programs:
YMCA
***BREADA ← connected to small farmers
Hustle and Grow partnerships - actually get young people interested in having a small ag operation. COVID has impacted. Each semester feels like rebuilding the program. What does it look like to have people produce commercially?
LSU and SU ag - Master gardeners committee for school community gardens. SU and LSU have home-growing courses
Margee Green - is a great resource
Challenges:
Identify farmers and reach out to people with interest in the space - gap exists to connect with existing growers
LSU had a grant for beginner farm training meant to incubate small-scale agriculture
Community garden network/ BR Garden Alliance
Backyard garden to small farm evolution
What are the meaningful resources?
Next steps:
***Need to invite BRAEDA and the Ag Centers
FightingVille Fresh - Lafayette (Town Folks)
Outreach to growers who are not participating in the farmers’ market/Need a growers alliance
Learn what the needs are while we build and grow
Denote Long-term/Short-term objectives
Advocacy
Caitlyn Scales (Three O’Clock Project, CAFE Co-Chair)
Mary Bergeron (Walls Project)
Danny Mintz (LA Budget Project)
American Heart Association - Advocacy Impact Pilot
BREADA, Three O’Clock Project, Health Care Centers + CPEX awarded
In or Out benefits
Oschner: Program with access to Free Food
LA Budget Project: $1M SNAP - Greaux the Good
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