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Homegrown Minneapolis is a citywide initiative
expanding our community's ability to grow, process,
distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable,
locally grown foods.
October 2018
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Apply for One of Four
Open Seats on the Food Council
by October 19th |
The
Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council is a City of Minneapolis advisory group and City-community partnership that convenes and
engages diverse stakeholders to identify and propose innovative
solutions to improve the local food system. Members engage in monthly
meetings and contribute to working groups and task forces that address
current food system issues. Current groups include Healthy and Inclusive
Food Access, Healthy Food and Waste, Homegrown Small Business Fund and
Grant Pilot, Local Food Links - Purchasing and Procurement, Milan Urban
Food Policy Pact Implementation, and Urban Agriculture.
Applications for four vacant seats will be accepted now through October 19th. New appointed members will serve the remainder of terms that began
January 1st, 2018 and will end December 31st, 2019. Anyone interested in
applying is encouraged, but not required, to attend the next Food Council meeting on Wednesday, October 10th at Spark-Y. Non-members are welcome to attend and participate in all meetings.
Learn more about this opportunity, or find the application online.
City Releases Final Draft of Minneapolis 2040
The City of Minneapolis released the final draft of its 2040 Comprehensive Plan, a holistic document that will guide the city’s development over the next 20 years. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Oct. 29 and the City Council will also hold a public hearing the week of Nov. 12. The City Council is expected to vote on the Comprehensive Plan in December before submitting the plan to the Metropolitan Council. Public comments can be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council online at minneapolis2040.com. The interactive website provides opportunities to view either a marked-up or clean version of the plan segmented by topics.
Community Garden Policy Approved by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Committee
Members of the MPRB Urban Agriculture Implementation Team have been working with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff and commissioners to finalize a Community Garden Policy allowing for community gardens in Minneapolis parks. The policy was approved by an MPRB committee vote on October 3rd. The policy will likely be considered by the full MPRB Board of Commissioners for approval on October 17th. Anyone interested in speaking at the meeting should sign up by calling the MPRB offices at 612-230-6400 or in person prior to the meeting.
More information about the Community Garden Policy and Urban Agriculture Activity Plan
New Citywide Initiative to Clean Up Litter
Residents of Minneapolis are invited to participate in Litter Be Gone, a community-wide litter cleanup event taking place October 4th through October 13th, 2018. Volunteers will pick up litter on their blocks, boulevards, sidewalks, streets, alleys and community green spaces to make the streets clean before the leaves fall and snow begins to fly. Participants in team events will receive special offers and discounts from neighborhood businesses. Individuals may also request supplies to clean up on their own. Litter Be Gone events are being organized by neighborhood associations in all 11 Minneapolis neighborhood communities, with support from the Alliance for Sustainability, the City of Minneapolis, and other partners as part of the Clean City initiative. Sign up to participate and follow @LitterBeGone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share your clean up efforts using #cleanMpls18
New Food Innovation Team Assists Food Businesses
A new team of food safety experts has been created to help speed up the licensing process for Minnesota food businesses. The goal of the Food Innovation Team (FIT), a subcommittee of Minnesota’s Food Safety and Defense Task Force, is to help state regulators accommodate new and innovative food business models, while maintaining high food safety standards. The FIT will hold six meetings per year, which will be open to the public, and report its activities to the Food Safety and Defense Task Force.
More Details
October Food Council Meeting
Wednesday, October 10th | 5:00 - 7:30 pm
5:00 - 5:30 pm Pre-meeting discussion with Spark-Y
5:30 - 7:30 pm Food Council meeting at Spark-Y
Casket Arts Building, Room 101, 681 17th Ave NE, Minneapolis
Meeting Agenda
Food | Ag | Ideas Week
Monday, October 8th - Friday, October 12th
Multiple locations in the Twin Cities
Food I Ag I Ideas Week, led by Grow North and its partners, will highlight and bring together diverse perspectives and communities to create a more visible and interconnected community for food and agriculture entrepreneurship and innovation. Panels, speakers, startup showcases and experiences will address industry-leading topics across sustainable agriculture, food innovation and tech, and food and society.
More Information and Registration for all Food I Ag I Ideas Week events.
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule Trainings
Multiple locations and dates.
More Information
Low or No-Cost Compost for Community Gardens Still Available
There is still low or no-cost compost available to qualifying community gardens through the City of Minneapolis’ Community Garden Compost program, even though the original deadline to apply for fall compost has passed. The amount of compost and the number of compost deliveries are limited, and not guaranteed. Compost and compost deliveries are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Community gardens that have never received compost, have poor soil quality, or are start-up gardens will get priority. Fall compost deliveries end November 1st. If your garden is interested in receiving compost this fall, please complete the compost request form. (Deadline extended.)
Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA)
Food Hub Director
Frogtown Farm
Farm Manager
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