South Windsor FOOD Alliance, Proposed Master Plan 2012-2013 · South Windsor FOOD* Alliance, Proposed Master Plan 2012-2013 ... Providing Cheap/Industrial Food results in the high

South Windsor FOOD Alliance--Master Plan (Draft—Revised 5/07, 2013)

1

South Windsor FOOD* Alliance, Proposed Master Plan 2012-2013 *Families Organized for Optimal Development

A Sub-Committee of the South Windsor Park & Recreation Commission This Master Plan was developed with participation by members of the SW Park & Recreation Commission, SW Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Commission, SW Historical Society and Residents of South Windsor Presented to: Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Commission 9/25/12

(Endorsed 9/25/12)

Presented to: Open Space Task Force 10/01/12

(Endorsed 10/01/12) Presented to: Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission 10/03/12

(Endorsed 10/03/12)

Presented to: Park & Recreation Commission 10/10/12

(Endorsed 10/10/12) Presented to: Planning and Zoning Commission 1/08/13 (voted-to support the plan 1/08/13)

Presented to: South Windsor Town Council: May 6, 2013

“The South Windsor Healthy Food System Project” WHEREAS, the town of South Windsor should recognize the need for the development of a Healthy Food System for its residents; and the Town Council acknowledges the connection between eating locally grown foods


2

as important to healthy eating, improved nutrition, and improved health; and WHEREAS, the South Windsor Park & Recreation Commission created a task force to address these concerns; and WHEREAS, the South Windsor Park & Recreation Commission reached out to members of the South Windsor Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Commission and the South Windsor Historical Society as participants in this report; and WHEREAS, this project involves town/state organizations, town residents, representatives of the South Windsor School System, and staff members of the South Windsor Human Services Department; and WHEREAS, the goals of the SW FOOD Alliance are outlined as long range goals and will include South Windsor schools, restaurants-Farm-to-Table, local food producers, local farmers, the SW Food Bank, and charitable organizations all working to accomplish many of these goals in a 1-5 year time frame; and WHEREAS, the Master Plan of the South Windsor FOOD Alliance is included in the SW Park & Recreation Commission’s Master Plan and supported by the SW Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Commission, the SW Open Space Task Force, the SW Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission, and the SW Planning & Zoning Commission, which in turn will become a subset of the Town’s Master Plan for Conservation and Development; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council accepts and adopts the final draft of the South Windsor FOOD Alliance Master Plan, to create a Healthy Food System, dated: ____________________; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council recognizes the need to move forward with the implementation phase of the plan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………………….4


3

1. Vision, Mission and Purpose……………………………………………………………………….5

1.1 Vision………………………………………………………………………………………………………5

1.2 Mission……………………………………………………………………………………………………5

1.3 Purpose…………………………………………………………………………………………………..5

2. Definition of South Windsor FOOD* Alliance……………………………………..5 *Families Organized for Optimal Development

3. History and Background…………………………………………………………………………….6-7

4. Goals and Timetable…..……………………………………………………………………………….7

5. The Important Aspects of eating Locally Grown Food……………………….7-8

5.1 Nutrition Benefits

5.2 Health Benefits (disease prevention)

5.3 Economic Benefits

5.4 Farm Benefits (farmers and farmland)

5.5 Environmental Benefits

5.6 Social Benefits

6. Present Projects of SW FOOD Alliance…………………………………………….…9-10

6.1 Winter Farm and Artisan Market

6.2 Local Foods at SW Schools

6.3 Community Gardens

6.4 Area Restaurants purchasing local produce

6.5 Federal SNAP/EBT

6.6 SW Food Bank and Foodshare

7. Long Range Projects of SW FOOD Alliance…………………………………..……10-11

7.1 Development of a Food Hub/Food Co-Op store in SW

7.2 Increase undeveloped town-owned land leased to farmers

7.3 ‘Green Roof’ project for all town buildings

7.4 Tax Credits offered to SW farm families

7.5 Orchard Farming at TE – Students in Agriculture

7.6 Edible Schoolyard Project at TE

7.7 Involvement of the Environmental Science Club at SWHS

7.8 Develop a South Windsor Agricultural Center (Priest Farm)

8. Building Partnerships…………………………………………………………………………………12

8.1 Town Agencies/Departments


4

8.2 Town Organizations

8.3 Town Business Groups

8.4 Regional and State Agencies/Programs

9. Membership of the SW FOOD Alliance and Meetings………………………12

9.1 List of Members and Advisory Members

9.2 Meeting Dates

10. References-Resources……………………………………………………………………………13

11. Notes…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The South Windsor FOOD Alliance Master Plan is the result of work by a group of interested residents, SW commission members, local farmers, master gardeners, town staff, business representatives, and SW School System representatives who all contributed to the development of this plan. The South Windsor FOOD Alliance is a ‘task force/sub-committee’ created by the South Windsor Park and Recreation Commission in partnership with the South Windsor Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Commission.

1. Vision, Mission and Purpose 1.1 Vision


5

The Town of South Windsor will promote a Healthy Food System, by

supporting local farms, farmers’ markets, community gardens, increased use

of town owned land for farming, food waste composting, green roof projects,

restaurants buying local produce, edible schoolyards, a food-hub and food

co-op store.

1.2. Mission

The mission of the South Windsor FOOD Alliance is to create a Healthy

Food System in town that will promote sales of locally grown foods and

create new ventures that support local farming.

1.3 Purpose

The purpose of this project is to increase awareness regarding the health

benefits of residents eating locally grown foods and to make the connection

between where our food comes from and the local farms that have been an

important link in the town’s history. This plan has been submitted and

endorsed by the Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Commission;

Open Space Task Force; Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission; Park & Recreation Commission; Planning and Zoning

Commission. On May 6, 2013 it was presented to the South Windsor

Town Council in order to propose its approval and inclusion in the Town of

South Windsor’s Master Plan for Conservation and Development. The plan

will be updated and reviewed annually to evaluate new ideas as they are

presented to the South Windsor FOOD Alliance.

2. Definition of South Windsor FOOD* Alliance *Families Organized for Optimal Development

The South Windsor FOOD Alliance is a Task Force composed of town

residents and members of three organizations: SW Park & Recreation

Commission; SW Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Commission; and

the SW Historical Society. The Task Force is evaluating methods to support

local farming and local food producers in ways that will create new ventures

and assist both farming and food production in South Windsor. It is a sub-

committee of the Park & Recreation Commission.

3. History and Background


6

At a meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission on January 11, 2012 a plan was

presented to create the ‘healthy food system project’ and support local farmers,

healthy eating, and disease prevention. The reference cited is based on this book:

The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food,

by Ben Hewitt (complete list of references at end of document).

What are the Benefits of a NEW Food System?

There are problems with Industrial Agriculture and Factory Farming.

Pollution: Excess Water and Land Use/Excess Energy Use (Petroleum).

We Need: Economic Security-Health Security-Social Security (Environment)

Providing Cheap/Industrial Food results in the high cost of poor health.

What Would a Healthy Food System Look Like?

This should be an Agri-preneurial effort in working with Food Producers:

1. Support economic viability for small-scale food producers and farmers

2. Promote the CT-NOFA1 ‘Farmers’ Pledge’ (Northeast Organic Farming

Association) or OMRI2-approved methods of farming (Organic Materials

Review Institute), and Integrated Pest Management3 (IPM) guidelines.

3. Provide locally grown/produced food for residents (start-small scale)

4. A Circular System: seeds-vegetables-waste-compost-to fertilize seeds

5. Farm-to-Chef’s Table—local restaurants purchasing local farm produce

6. Schools: Consumer Science, Health Sciences, and Environmental Sciences

7. Schools: provide more locally grown produce for school lunch program

What Could We Do to Promote This Effort?

1. Lease more town-owned land/fields to local farmers

2. Install signs on leased property with farm name, noting town partnerships

3. Support growth of the Winter Farmers’ Market by developing more local

commercial partnerships

4. Create a ‘Center for Agricultural Economy’ (non-profit) in partnership with:

Manchester Community College, University of Connecticut,

University of Hartford, Goodwin College (perhaps at the Priest Farm)

5. Establish a ‘Food Venture Center’ – a shared-use incubator kitchen to

permit small farms to share space and create specialty food products

6. Develop a year round/indoor/outdoor Farmers/Artisans Market Facility

7. Explore potential for a South Windsor Food-Hub and Food CO-OP store

8. Meet with restaurants and encourage them to ‘buy local’ and advertise

farm-to-Chef’s-Table on their menu


7

9. Evaluate a ‘Green Roof’ program in South Windsor (public buildings)

10. Utilize the Orchard at TE as a ‘learning laboratory’ for students

11. Consider Edible Schoolyard gardens at town schools

12. Establish additional Community Gardens in town

4. Projects-Goals and Timetable

Establish a Community Garden on Town Property------------------Timetable: 1yr

Identify farmed-Town Property- with signs-----------------------Timetable: 1yr

Facilitate local farms supplying SW Schools with produce--------Timetable: 2yrs

Support the Summer Farmers’ Market-----------------------------Timetable: Ongoing

Facilitate undeveloped parkland leases to local farmers----------Timetable: Ongoing

Explore a plan for school food-waste composting------------------Timetable: 2yrs

Explore a plan for local produce in schools-------------------------Timetable: 1-2yrs

Create a ‘Center for Agricultural Economy’ (non-profit)

in partnership with: Manchester Community College- Goodwin College-

University of Connecticut- University of Hartford---------------Timetable: 5yrs

Establish a ‘Food Venture Center’ –shared-incubator kitchen:

small farmers share space/create specialty food products------Timetable: 4yrs

Develop a Winter Farmers/Artisans Market ---------------------Timetable: Ongoing

Develop a South Windsor Food Hub/CO-OP store----------------Timetable: 3-5yrs

Encourage restaurants to ‘buy local’ and advertise

farm-to-Chef’s-Table on their menu-------------------------------Timetable: 1yr

Evaluate a ‘Green Roof’ program (town buildings)-----------------Timetable: 3yrs

Evaluate the Orchard at TE as a ‘learning laboratory’------------Timetable: 4yrs

Consider Edible Schoolyard-gardens at schools-------------------Timetable: 2-3yrs

5. The Important Aspects of Eating Locally Grown Food 5.1 Nutrition Benefits

Higher nutrient/nutrient dense foods; reduced chemical additives; reduced

sodium consumption; reduced chemical flavorings; reduced sugar consumption.

Small farms are more likely to grow a wide variety of crops. Variation protects

biodiversity that is important for ensuring long-term food security. Local farmers

can grow tastier, more palatable varieties of crops compared to crops bred to be

shipped thousands of miles over a lengthy period of time. Shipped foods sacrifice

quality in taste so that they can have a fantastic shelf-life. Our local crops are

ready-to-eat and savory.

5.2 Health Benefits (disease prevention)


8

The #1 health-threat to ALL Americans is Heart Disease. Eating locally

grown/locally produced foods can: lower total cholesterol levels; reduce

obesity rates; reduce blood levels of triglycerides; increase healthy fats in

the diet (omega 3); increase vitamin and mineral intake; increase nutrient

density; reduce the consumption of junk food with ‘empty calories’.

5.3 Economic Benefits

Increased support of local restaurants that buy from local farmers; bring

new restaurants and local food producers into town; promote ‘on-the-farm’

enterprises: corn maze, sunflower maze, hayrides; increase awareness of

emerging farm trends; bring more people into South Windsor to increase

‘town visits’ and support the town economy.

5.4 Farm Benefits (farmers and farmland)

Increase sales options: supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers’ markets.

The ability to ‘test’ new food products; maintain a reliable, stable base of

farmland preservation and support in town.

5.5 Environmental Benefits

Food sold and purchased locally reduces shipping costs, gasoline costs, air pollution

and carbon emissions. Buying local foods eliminates the carbon footprint left

behind when food is transported great distances. Increased land leased to

farmers adds more ‘green’ space in town; increased involvement of community

groups; and create outdoor summer jobs for students.

5.6 Social Benefits

Increase interaction among the diversity of cultures and ages in town.

Bring people together to learn about many cultures and food.

Assist in building a diversity of crops grown to support ethnic foods.

6. Present Projects of SW FOOD Alliance


9

6.1 Winter Farmers & Artisans Market

This would provide access to SW residents for locally grown produce beyond

the summer months. Our goal is to open the market in October and run

through the month of April. While the selection would be limited, there are

crops such as: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, onions,

kale, shallots, leeks, kohlrabi, collards, parsnips, spinach, swiss chard, and

turnips that could be planted in the fall and harvested before the first

freeze. Beyond that we could rely on locally prepared foods in jars/cans to

be sold: tomatoes, goat cheese, beets, beans, and salsa. At the same time we

would open this market to local artisans and food producers to sell locally

produced goods: woodworking; jewelry; books; artwork; baked goods; holiday

flowers; beef; beefalo; eggs; chicken; turkey; soaps-hand lotion; candles.

6.2 Local Produce at SW Schools project

Create Connections with local farmers to provide more produce to the school

food service dept. In collaboration with the SW School System, we could

assist the staff in creating a healthy food system using locally grown foods.

6.3 Community Gardens

While there is one community garden in town, it is always at gardening

capacity. We are proposing a second location in town to open more

gardening parcels for residents. In preparation for this project, and in

collaboration with South Windsor High School, we have worked with three

students who have already collected soil samples at one site. The samples

have been analyzed by the State of CT lab (Windsor), to help us prepare the

soil for the community garden.

6.4 Local Restaurants/Farm-to-Chef’s-Table: purchasing local produce.

As this project expands, we intend to meet with and encourage local

restaurants to purchase more local produce for their menu. This can include

listing local farm names on restaurant menus to inform guests of the local

sources of food.


10

6.5 SNAP4 (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Make this program

available as part of the Farmers’ Market. As of Nov. 2012 South Windsor

has 480 households participating in SNAP. This includes 797* individuals,

with an average household benefit of $211* /month. A cumulative benefit of $101,395* per month. The goal is to increase access to healthy food and

put healthy food within reach. (*CT-Dept of Social Services Report)

6.6 SW Food Bank: Develop a working relationship with the food bank in

order to increase food availability for residents through food collection

drives and collecting financial donations.

7. Long-Range Projects of SW FOOD Alliance 7.1 Development of a Food Hub/Co-Op store in South Windsor

Create a ‘membership’ food Cooperative store. A fee is charged for

residents to join as members (i.e. $100/yr). This creates the start up funds

needed to begin ordering food and supplies. When a member decides to leave

the store they have a refund of $25 for any unused quarter of the season.

Create a ‘governing board’ to operate and generate policies for the store.

Our plan would include finding a suitable location, hiring a general manager

for the store, hiring staff, and contacting food producers and farmers to

establish ordering procedures. In addition, the general manager would also

develop a marketing/advertising plan for the operation. (Priest Farm site)

7.2 Increase undeveloped town-owned land leased to farmers

We would support appropriate town agencies, boards, and commissions to

begin an evaluation process to determine if there is additional town owned

property that could be leased to local farmers. Further, to explore the

possible lease offerings to cover a three-year time period at reduced pricing

to encourage additional farming in town. The proceeds from each lease could

go to the SW Park & Recreation Commission and the SW Agricultural Land

Preservation Advisory Commission in order to support projects of the South

Windsor FOOD Alliance.


11

7.3 ‘Green Roof’ project for town buildings

We could evaluate the possibility of developing a ‘Green Roof’ project for town

owned buildings. The plantings can include vegetables, grass, or shade plants.

Advantages: The plantings can help reduce heat and air conditioning costs and

extend the life of HVAC; They retain rainwater at a high percentage and reduce

water runoff and reduce stress on sewer systems; They can play a role in

reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of CO2 released into

the air; (SWHS has worked with GreenGrid Roofs5)

7.4 Explore Tax Credits offered to SW farm families

Presently there are some tax credit programs offered through the State of

Connecticut. We would propose the town explore offering additional tax

credits/tax incentives to encourage farmers to stay in town and to help

attract new farmers to move into South Windsor.

7.5 Orchard Farming at Timothy Edwards Middle School– Students in Agriculture

The present orchard at TE could be ‘re-conditioned’ into a working

orchard with some assistance from a local farmer. We could have students

at TE help maintain the orchard and eventually harvest the fruit with

shares going to both the farm and the school cafeteria.

7.6 Edible Schoolyard Project at Timothy Edwards Middle School

Some land could be designated as a schoolyard garden. This would enable

students to grow vegetables for the cafeteria and increase awareness of

locally grown foods.

7.7 South Windsor High School-Environmental Science Club and Science Dept

Build a partnership with the faculty and students in order to include

projects of the SW FOOD Alliance into the curriculum for science students.

7.8 Develop a site/location for the ‘Center for Agricultural Economy’. This

might include future development of the Priest Farm as the South Windsor

Agricultural Center that could include barns used for: classrooms, SW Farm

Museum, SW Tobacco Museum and a Farmers’ Market.


12

8. Building Partnerships 8.1 Town Agencies/Departments: School System/Board of Education;

Environmental Health Office; Planning Dept; Human Services Dept;

Recreation Dept; Facilities Management; SW Police Dept

8.2 Town/Commissions and Town/State Organizations: Park & Recreation

Commission; SW Agriculture and Land Preservation Advisory Commission; SW

Open Space Task Force; SW Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission;

SW Planning & Zoning Commission; UConn Extension Service; School for Haiti;

SW Community Foundation; CT-Northeast Organic Farming Association (CT-NOFA);

SW-Walk and Wheel Ways; SW-Down To Earth Garden Club;

8.3 Town Business Groups

SW Chamber of Commerce; Geissler’s Supermarket; Yogaborn;

FrameDesigns; First Niagara; Rockville Bank; CVS; Commercial Storefront

Services, Inc; Farmington Bank; Broad Brook Gardens; Other Designs Co;

8.4 Regional and State Agencies/Programs

State of Connecticut Dept of Agriculture; USDA Grant Funding; CT Soil

Testing Laboratory (Windsor); Natural Resources Conservation Service

(USDA); The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; CT Dept of

Social Services;

9. Membership of the SW FOOD Alliance

9.1 List of Members Sandra Jeski (Summer Farmers Market-Market Master)

Wayne McKinney (Summer-Farmers Market Manager/Master Gardener)

Melissa Chilberg (Summer-Farmers Market Manager)

Stephanie Young (Summer-Farmers Market Manager)

Sarah Farrell (Summer-Farmers Market Manager)

Karen Althammer (Summer-Farmers Market Manager)

Renee Ulbinsky (Summer-Farmers Market Manager)

Willie Althammer (Summer-Farmers Market Manager)

Mary Busky (Summer-Farmers Market Manager)

Betty Warren (SWALPAC Rep)

Brenda Sullivan (Farmer-So. Glastonbury)

Jan Warren (Farmers Market-vendor-Art-Broad Brook)

Julia Porter (Two Rivers Magnet HS/Hartford)

Spencer Hill (UConn Law Student)

Jim Futtner (Farmer-South Windsor/SWALPAC Rep)

Honora Futtner (Farmer-South Windsor)

Katie Graham (Park & Rec Commission Rep)


13

Andrew Paterna (Park & Rec Commission Rep)

Maria Mayer (Health Coach)

Mark Hood (Farmer-South Windsor)

Patty Hood (Farmer-South Windsor)

Carolyn Venne (Pres. SW MOMS Club)

Hugh Brower (IT-Advisor)

Dave Starr (Down to Earth-Garden Club)

Bill Marshall (Down to Earth-Garden Club)

Debbi Duarte (Marketing-Promotions)

Ex Officio Members:

Alan Larson, Chairperson Park & Rec Commission

Rob O’Connor, Vice-Chairperson Park & Rec Commission

Ray Favreau, Director of Recreation

Advisory Team Members:

Bettylou Sandy (President, CT-Northeast Organic Farming Association)

MaryAnn Lopez, Director of Food Services, SW-School System

Andrea Cofrancesco, Human Services Dept (SW-Food Bank)

Sherry McGann, SW-Environmental Health Officer

Tom Field, SW Police Dept.

Danel Eitel, Science Faculty, SWHS

Sarah Saunders, Science Faculty, SWHS

Deborah Field, Science Faculty, SWHS

10. REFERENCES-RESOURCES: The Town That Food Saved: How One Community Found Vitality in Local Food,

By Ben Hewitt

Bringing It To The Table, By Wendell Berry

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, By Michael Pollan

The Earth Knows My Name: Food, Culture and Sustainability in the

Gardens of Ethnic Americans, By Patricia Klindienst

Stuffed & Starved:The Hidden Battle for the World Food System, By Raj Patel

You Are What You Eat, By Gillian McKeith

The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick, By Robyn O’Brien

The Omnivore’s Dilemma, By Michael Pollan

Twinkie, Deconstructed, By Steve Ettlinger

The China Study, By T. Colin Campbell

Folks, This Ain’t Normal, By Joel Salatin

Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating, By Mark Bittman

The Good Food Revolution, By Will Allen


14

NOTES:

1CT-NOFA: The Connecticut Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association

is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the practices of

ecologically sound farming and gardening, and to the development of local sustainable

agriculture. (www.ctnofa.org) 2OMRI:The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a national nonprofit

organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic

production and processing. (www.omri.org) 3IMP: Integrated Pest Management Guidelines (www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm) 4SNAP/EBT: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Electronic Benefit Transfer.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service.(www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt) 5GreenGrid Roofs: A modular vegetative green roof system offers distinct advantages;

known for simplicity of design, and flexibility.

http://www.omri.org/

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ebt

Documents

South Windsor FOOD Alliance, Proposed Master Plan 2012-2013 · South Windsor FOOD* Alliance, Proposed Master Plan 2012-2013 ... Providing Cheap/Industrial Food results in the high