Cass Clay Food Commission - November 13, 2024
Members Present:
Heather Nesemeier, Moorhead City Council, Chair Jim Kapitan, Cass County Commission
Amy Zundel, West Fargo City Commission Dave Steichen, Dilworth City Council Anna Johnson, At-Large Member
Carin Engler, At-Large Member Jeff York, At-Large Member
Members Absent:
Paul Krabbenhoft, Clay County Commission Paul Hankel, Horace City Council (proxy) John Strand, Fargo City Commission
Joan Kopperud, At-Large Member Jeffrey Miller, At-Large Member
Others Present:
Cheryl Stetz, Fargo Cass Public Health Rory Beil, Clay County Public Health Noelle Harden, U of M Extension Janice Tweet, Great Plains Food Bank
Erika Franck, Clay County Planning and Zoning Eric Hegg, Global Refuge
Anna Sather, Farm in the Dell
Adam Altenburg, Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments
1a. Approve Order and Contents of the Overall Agenda
A motion to approve the order and contents of the overall agenda was made by Ms. Zundel and seconded by Ms. Engler. The motion was voted on and unanimously approved.
1b. Review and Action on Minutes from September 11, 2024
A motion to approve the minutes for September 2024 was made by Mr. Kapitan and seconded by Mr. York. The motion was voted on and unanimously approved.
2. Commission Introductions
Chair Nesemeier led the Commission and steering committee members in a brief round of introductions.
3. Zoning for Urban Agriculture Draft Blueprint
Anna Johnson presented a draft blueprint on urban agriculture, with information related to zoning codes and their impact on the food system. She noted that, since zoning controls land use, many elements of the food system are impacted by zoning codes in one way or another. She noted ways communities can increase consumers’ abilities to grow, process, and distribute their food locally including clearly defined agricultural terms, clarifying zones permitting urban agriculture, allowing on-site sales, allowing small-animal husbandry, and allowing non- commercial production and accessory structures. She also noted the importance of community input processes that promote equity and access.
4. Farm in the Dell
Anna Sather, Executive Director of Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley, presented information on the Farm in the Dell organization. She explained that the organization, located on a 25-acre plot north of Moorhead, serves people with developmental disabilities and works closely with local families and agencies to connect individuals with purposeful work. She stated that Garden Engineers, those who work at Farm in the Dell, are given fair wages in a non- competitive setting and tasks include planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and packing CSA boxes. She also stated that Farm in the Dell hosts Table to Farm dinners, where community members come together to enjoy food and fellowship.
5. Cass Clay Food Partners Strategic Plan
Janice Tweet presented the final Cass Clay Food Partners Strategic Plan. She explained that, since May 2024, members of the Cass Clay Food Commission, the steering committee, and the new Food Action Network have been working on a new strategic plan. She stated that the plan aims to identify priorities and goals for the CCFP, how best to accomplish them, responsible parties, progress monitoring, and a timeline to measure success. She noted three overarching strategic priorities identified in the plan including: connections and governance, communication and education, and policies and practices. She also noted that the strategic plan includes a revised mission, vision, and new values to better reflect the current and future work of the CCFP.
A motion to approve the Cass Clay Food Partners Strategic Plan was made by Mr. Kapitan and seconded by Ms. Zundel. The motion was voted on and unanimously approved.
6. Steering Committee Updates
Chair Nesemeier asked if the steering committee had any updates. Ms. Tweet responded that she had no additional updates at this time
7. Kudos and Community Recognition
Mr. Beil recognized the work of the Cass Clay Hunger Coalition (CCHC), which represents over 30 agencies working collaboratively to support equitable access to food and end hunger in the region. He noted that the network works closely with a diverse network of hunger fighters working within schools, nutrition programs, businesses, healthcare partners, charitable feeding programs, community-led organizations, and other non-profits. He explained that the coalition also works to promote existing food resources and identify gaps in services, and its School Meal Repack Program reduces food waste by working with schools to repackage and distribute surplus meals to students and families in the community. He informed the Commission that
nearly 100 people participated in CCHC’s 7th Annual Hunger and Health Summit on October 17, an event which featured sessions from industry leaders on the social determinants of health, harm reduction, hunger on college campuses, and nutrition and public health.
Mr. Beil also recognized Folkways and the 10th anniversary season of the Red River Market. He noted that Folkways, a community-building and placemaking nonprofit, established the Red River Market in the spring of 2015 and that since its inception 10 years ago, the market has grown from 800 to 8,000 weekly attendees from early July to the end of October. He further noted that the Red River Market strives to support local farms and new and emerging food businesses, increase access to fresh, locally grown produce, and create a sense of place where all are welcome.
8. Public Comment Opportunity
Chair Nesemeier informed the Commission that time would be allotted for public comments. She noted that members of the community may also submit comments via a comment link when Commission packets are emailed out.
No additional public comments were made.
9. Commission and Steering Committee Roundtable: Community Updates and Meeting Reflections
Chair Nesemeier asked for the Commission and the steering committee to share any additional updates or meeting reflections.
10. Future Meetings and Commission Action Steps
Chair Nesemeier stated that the next Commission meeting would be held on January 8, 2025. She noted that the steering committee meetings in November and December would be moved up one week from their usual time, with the next one on November 18 rather than November
25. She also noted that the next Food Action Network monthly newsletter would be emailed on December 6 and that people could visit the Cass Clay Food Partners Facebook page to sign up to receive those.
Chair Nesemeier adjourned the meeting at 11:53 AM.