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| | | | Waste and Sustainable Consumption Work Group | | | |
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| | | | This is a virtual meeting. Those wishing to attend should navigate to https://tinyurl.com/2t4k9wnb on their PC, phone, or other device. | | | |
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| | 1. | | Call to Order
Minutes note: Working Group Members (6)
Bruce Wiggins and Erick Shambarger, Co-Chairs
Rob Zimmerman, Kurt Baehmann, Samantha Longshore, James Jedibudiah
Attendance:
Bruce Wiggins and Erick Shambarger, Co-Chairs
Rob Zimmerman, Samantha Longshore, James Jedibudiah
Guests: Meg Kilkenny (Food Wise) and Dana McCormick
Wiggins called the meeting to order at 3:33pm. Jedibudiah took notes. Wiggins reported that the Task Force has approved Jedibudiah as an official Work Group member.
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| | 2. | | Roll Call
Minutes note: With 5 members present, a quorum was present. Wiggins welcomed the two guests. We introduced ourselves. | | | |
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| | 3. | | Approval of Previous Minutes
Minutes note: Minutes of 10/18/2021 meeting were today placed in shared drive. Work Group members were asked to review them for the Nov. 15 meeting.
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| | 4. | | Presentation of Glean Milwaukee – Guest Meg Kilkenny
Minutes note: Guest Presentation by Meg Kilkenny, Healthy Communities Coordinator for FoodWise at Extension Milwaukee County. Following introductions, Kilkenny described the Food Wise program, the Glean MKE Coalition, and resources for collaboration.
FoodWise is a program of Extension Milwaukee County. It is working on cutting food waste and feeding people as part of its mission. Kilkenny also staffs the Farmers Market Coalition.
The Glean MKE Coalition was born out of the Farmers Market Coalition, which noticed that vendors at Fondy Farmers Market were throwing food out at the end of the market. Compost Crusader now picks up at the end of the market. Ronald McDonald House gleans (collects food) from the Wauwatosa Farmers Market and has for many years. The Coalition knows that food waste occurs at many locations and different levels of our food system. With limited capacity, it decided to focus on gleaning (collecting food) at community gardens and farmers markets. Gardens include Groundwork’s gardens, Victory Garden Initiative and Hunger Task Force’s farm. The Coalition works closely with Tikkun Ha-Ir and its Chop Shop, which gleans and delivers meals, and Marquette U neighborhood kitchen which delivers food to students. Others are Teens Grow Greens and Kompost Kids. The Coalition is mindful of knowing the capacity of food pantries (ability to store, etc.)
It sees a need and hopes to expand to Extension gardens, supermarkets, restaurants & institutions, and work with SDC; but does not now have the capacity. Community nutrition, food waste recovery and workforce development (jobs and job training) are also aspirations. Limitations are staffing, cold storage, financing, and logistics. Current needs are (a) a map of pickup and dropoff spots + compost locations (b) data collection from pantries on people served, produce distributed, meals served, etc. and (c) a study analyzing data such as energy, gas, and water saved through recapturing food. The Coalition aims to collaborate and complement other efforts in the city. The Coalition is now paused (last met in July), among the reasons: the pandemic, fatigue, and turnover in coalition groups’ staff.
During Q&A, Erick asked how ECO/City can help, Meg reiterated her previous statements about current needs (map, study and addressing the limitations listed.) Erick asked if Hunger Task Force and Second Harvest have supermarkets “covered” in Milwaukee for collecting food. Meg answered that there are gaps and a lot of food waste is still happening. Rob asked how we could build the system better, Meg responded: coordination, working with neighborhood organizations, mapping, an app to help connect people, and cold storage capacity. Jedibudiah asked if there are policy needs or limitations. Kilkenny thought federal Good Samaritan laws protect donors of food. Longshore pointed out that NRDc produced a report on policy and legislative needs in Midwest states including Wisconsin. Zimmerman asked about design of a food system and Kilkenny responded that neighborhood-based systems are needed to distribute good food fresh food. An app to connect people could be very useful – some are available now and used in Milwaukee but use needs to be expanded.
The group thanked Meg for her time and informative presentation.
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| | 5. | | Work for the Remainder of 2021
Minutes note: We reviewed with Longshore’s help DNR’s 2021 Waste Characterization Study.
Wiggins reported he talked with ICLEI staff re help with recommendations on food waste. ICLEI does not have a learning cohort on food waste.
Action Items/Next Steps:
It was suggested that the group reach out to some food pantries to get their input
Wiggins reported the Milwaukee Health Department is hiring a Food Specialist. He will check on hiring status.
Zimmerman and Wiggins will draft the report for consideration at our upcoming meetings.
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| | 6. | | Adjournment
Minutes note: Wiggins adjourned the meeting at 5:07pm
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