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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0763.001 2010-2012J YOSHIMOTO COUNCIL MEMBER Council District 3 MEMORANDUM HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai`i Hawai`i County Building 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Phone: (808) 961 -8272 Fax: (808) 961-8912 Email: jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us co.hawaii.hi.us TO: Dominic Yagong, Council Chair and Members of the County Council FROM: J Yoshimoto, Council Member DATE: July 27, 2012 SUBJECT: Presentation Handout for the Hawai`i County Food Self - Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 Attached is a handout submitted by Jeff Melrose for the Hawai`i County Food Self - Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 presentation. Please refer this to the Agriculture, Water and Energy Sustainability Committee meeting scheduled for July 31, 2012. JY /dwe Hawai `1 County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Comm. No 7'' a Ref. To•, l" /A4 wEsc Ref. Date JUL 3 1 2012 Hawaii County Food Self Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 Hawaii County Food Self- Sufficiency Baseline 2012 Hawaii Island FOOD SELF - SUFFICIENCY SCORECARD: 2012 wn N , 1 • • to Figure Baseline Study for Food Self Sufficiency in Hawaii County a 0 Iuu, Full Report http://geodata.sdal.hilo.hawaii.edu/GEODATA/COH_Ag_Project.html 100 Ways to Increase Food Self - Sufficiency The following is a list of ideas and actions that were collected during the process of preparing the Hawai` i County Food Self - sufficiency Baseline study. Collectively, they reinforce the fact that Food Self - Sufficiency is everyone's kuleana. The challenge goes deeper than just adding farmers and growing local production. It requires that, as island residents, we intentionally chose to become more reliant on food that have been grown or caught locally. Food Self - sufficiency requires some fundamental rethinking about how island residents spend their time and money. This is not something that just happens, it takes many hands and much creativity. This is an evolving list, one that everyone should add to Where are the sweet spots? Which ones have a cascading effect on other actions? Which small actions can lead to bigger outcomes? Consumers • Learn to eat the food products Hawaii already produces • Look for, and purchase, locally grown food products in the market place • Ask your retailers and restaurants to carry and clearly mark locally produced foods • Prioritize "local" over "looks ". It is what is inside the fruit that counts 1 Hawaii County Food Self Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 • Adjust buying habits to accommodate local crop seasons • Take personal responsibility for food safety; wash and handle food correctly, regardless of where it comes from • Learn more about the farmers and ranchers who produce the food you eat • Patronize restaurants that highlight the use of local food products and the creative use of Island resources • Shop at Farmers Markets for farm fresh produce and new food ideas • Increase purchasing of organic products to reduce the use of chemicals and imported fertilizers • Look for and support CSA (subscription farming) Institutional Buyers • Adjust procurement methods to accommodate local purchasing • Develop purchasing patterns to accommodate local seasonality • Partner with local producers or groups of producers to help provide a consistent, seasonal supply of local meat and produce • Help to develop the market for local staple foods like sweet potato, taro, `ulu, banana, and coconut • Promote "farm to fork" connections in advertising and on the menu Restaurants • Utilize local produce and meats in food preparation • Continue efforts to promote Farm to Plate cuisine and to highlight the use of local ingredients on menus and in special programs • Work with farmers and ranchers to develop sturdy supply networks for consistent, quality products year round Food Retailers • Continue efforts to deliver and label local meats and produce • Highlight local farmers and ranchers in brand marketing • Provide stable markets for local producers and coach to enhance product safety, quality and consistency • Promote local food in the marketplace • Carry locally produced organic produce • Support innovation and new products using local ingredients • Offer table tastings in store for local products • Place local foods in a central, visible location State Government • Develop a Food Self - sufficiency Baseline for the State of Hawai` i to help focus efforts and measure progress towards improved Food Self - Sufficiency statewide • Continue support of Buy Local campaigns • Develop institutional buying practices for State purchasing that encourage the use of fresh Island produce, meat, fish, and eggs • Ensure that State -owned agricultural lands are as productive as they can be, with an emphasis on food production where it is feasible. 2 Hawaii County Food Self Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 • Increase vigilance at harbors and airports to stem the flow of pests and invasive species that undercut local food production • Support Hawaii -based food safety initiatives and provide investment incentives and loan programs to help farmers fund best management practices • Support programs that mitigate high shipping costs for grains and other inputs that undercut the viability of local poultry, pork, and beef production • Develop new irrigation systems, where feasible, and support irrigation improvements on both State and private systems that will result in increased land available for local food production • Create a fund for strategic investments aimed at local poultry, dairy, meat, vegetable, and fruit production and processing, including food enterprise incubators, diversified agriculture processing facilities, and small farm improvement funding • Support the pursuit of alternative energies that will mitigate the cost of fossil fuels on local agriculture and consumers • Explore technologies to produce non - fossil fuel based fertilizers • Expand agricultural extension programs aimed at building Hawaii's base of small farmers and backyard food producers • Promote the use of local staple foods including sweet potato, taro, `ulu, banana, and coconut County Government • Continue financial support for Buy Local campaigns • Continue to support community -based initiatives that build local food system capacity • Practice Buy Local in County food purchasing • Revisit the County's Real Property Tax policies related to Agricultural land use to insure that public tax incentives for agricultural land use result in actual public benefits and promote Local food production where possible • Expedite building permits for minor farm structures and water tanks • Support affordable housing on or near farms for farmers and farm workers • Support layering of agricultural and non - agricultural uses (like agrotourism) on agricultural lands to improve the economic viability of farms and ranches • Develop individual strategies to enhance new food production with the Core Lands where farm activities are most active • Enable the construction of commercial kitchens that will be available for value -added processing of agricultural products • Maintain an agricultural specialist on staff to interface with the agricultural community and to broker support to address local problems and opportunities • Research County initiatives and laws across the U.S. that have removed barriers and added incentives to redevelop local food systems • Support the pursuit of alternative energies that will mitigate the cost of fossil fuels on local agriculture and consumers • Support efforts by farmers, food brokers, wholesalers, and landowners to locate marshalling yards and food packing and processing facilities to serve regional farming needs • Create an integrated permitting system that will approve a whole farm plan at one time and allow several years to complete Department of Education • Expand institutional buying for local fresh fruits and vegetables for breakfast, lunch, and snack programs 3 Hawaii County Food Self Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 • Continue to expand support for school gardens as a context for learning about local foods and the practice of agriculture • Provide funds to coordinate and expand the role of school gardens and agriculture in the school system • Develop a track from high school to the community college that provides future farmers with business skills • Implement the federal Wellness Policy mandate for local schools to set goals for improving nutrition and increasing physical activity. • Create a pilot project in one school kitchen on Hawai'i Island to pioneer the use of locally - sourced foods for school lunches and snacks University of Hawaii • Conduct research focused on the practical issues of Hawai`i food production • Work closely with farmers to ensure that practical information is available • Develop farmer training curriculum to be delivered near farm communities and in multiple languages • Encourage the use of local foods in culinary training programs and publish recipes that support the use of local food products • Invigorate 4 -H type programming and develop new farm and outreach programs for all ages. • Develop an extension service marketing program to build the skills of agricultural producers in 1 how to commercially market their food products • Support local farms and ranches by incorporating local foods into cafeteria menus and highlighting the local producers whose food is being served • Utilize the teaching capacity of the UH Experimental Farm to educate students commercial growers and community members about innovations in home and commercial food production Farmers • Participate with other farmers and processors in cooperative efforts to assert farm interests, organize bulk purchasing programs and share marketing and distribution efforts • Grow crops that help to replace existing food imports • Explore new crops and traditional targeting import replacement and the expansion of local products in the marketplace, including staple foods, animal feed, fertilizer, and biofuel stock crops • Be creative — explore new methods and markets • Control cost where prudent • Diversify the farm revenue stream, plan for year round income and build diverse markets • Explore direct sales to consumers as a means to increase farm revenues and reduce costs to local consumers • Employ Best Management Practices (BMP's) to insure that produce is safe and free of pathogens • Install alternative energy technologies in farm and processing facilities to reduce dependency on the rising cost of fossil fuels • Help to teach new farmers and farm laborers about the business of farming so they can replace the current aging farmer population • Utilize available assistance programs to improve farm practices • Explore hydroponics • Investigate Farm Conservation Programs 4 Hawaii County Food Self Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 Ranchers • Sustain efforts to increase the availability of grass -fed beef and other meats in the local market place • Support local processors and invest in efforts to expand production for local sales of beef, lamb, mutton, and pork • Install pasture improvements to enhance forage production and management • Improve existing agricultural water sources • Install more water storage capacity • Utilize financial and technical assistance programs to improve ranch operations. Fishermen • Fish Today for Fish Tomorrow. Practice conservation and teach it to your children • Consider fuel cooperative and/or alternative fuel options to reduce costs • Expand on -land fish production through aquaponics and hydroponics • Participate in public resource protection initiatives like tag and release and catch data collection, to help better understand and monitor local ocean resources • Follow existing fishing regulations (DAR regulations: http:// Hawai` i .gov /dlnr /dar /regulations.html) Food Processors and Distributors • Develop sustained relationships with fanners to insure product quality, consistency, and competitive value • Brand local products clearly • Support efforts to process off-grade produce into new products • Work with USDA Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) Schools to provide locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables for local school snacks Large Landowners • Make it a priority to have food produced on some portion of available land with sufficient lease term and rents to enable sustained farm investment • Encourage sustainable farming practices • Enable and assist farmers to install farmers improvements that will improve farm productivity and food safety • Encourage farmers and ranchers to utilize government programs to improve farming practices • Assist in the upkeep of water, roads, and other infrastructure that may be depended on by productive farm lessees • Co- invest in new farm infrastructure to support farm growth • Assist farmers to improve farm security and reduce farm theft Small Landowners • Make it a priority to have some portion of your property planted in fruit trees and household gardens to supplement household consumption • Lease or invite others to produce food on lands that are otherwise idle • Share surplus production with your neighbors, friends, feeding programs and Food Basket • Grow nitrogen - fixing tree and cover crops to nurture the soil 5 Hawaii County Food Self Sufficiency Baseline Study 2012 • Process and preserve surplus foods through pickling, dehydrating, canning, smoking, freezing, or fermenting Parents • Commit time regularly to produce some portion of your family's food consumption through harvesting, gardening, fishing, or hunting, • Practice cooking local foods with your children and their friends • Practice `Buy Local" and teach your children the value the cultural, nutritional, and economic benefits of fresh local food • Prepare a family meal weekly using only locally produced foods • Get to know your local farmers • Encourage school fund raisers to promote local products • Volunteer time in your children's school gardens • Increase the amount of food on hand for emergencies • Advertise local foods with bumper stickers and t- shirts... then Walk the Talk Children • Choose local fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks • Learn to prepare local produce and share recipes with friends and family • Participate in School Garden programs or ask your school to start one • Encourage your family and friends to eat more local, fresh foods • Encourage your family to start a vegetable garden, either in the ground or in pots • Plant fruit trees in your yard 6