Welcome new members

FPAC members voted to approve the nominations of Glenn Bergman and Stephanie Dorenbosch at the December general meeting. Check out their impressive bios and make sure to give them a warm welcome!

RSVP now: Urban Agriculture Open House

The new year is the perfect time to take stock of past accomplishments and set the agenda going forward. To that end, please join FPAC’s Urban Agriculture Subcommittee for an open house on Monday, February 8. Learn more and RSVP.

Deadline Extended: Good Food Catering Survey

Is your business going above and beyond to provide healthy, local, sustainable, and fair food? If so, FPAC wants to hear from you! Please take 10-15 minutes to complete our Good Food Catering Survey to share how you are including health and sustainability in your menus, or fairness and equity in your business.

The survey’s deadline has been extended to January 15. Please share widely!

Anti-Hunger

FPAC member Kathy Fisher, Policy Manager at the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, graciously agreed to speak to the subcommittee about potential ways FPAC can support County Assistance Offices. Kathy provided a thoughtful overview of the challenges and opportunities of improving access to SNAP (food stamps) and left the subcommittee with a lot of food for thought.

Chair: Steveanna Wynn

Good Food Procurement

Good Food Procurement has been pleased to receive dozens of responses to its Good Food Catering Survey. Know any good food providers that would be interested in sharing what they do and reaching City department buyers? Make sure they fill out the survey before January 15.

The subcommittee is also conducting a procurement policy scan, working on testimony for a City Council hearing on green procurement policies, and planning for a good food buyer engagement event for the spring. Meetings take place on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 3-4:30pm.

Chair: Amanda Wagner

Urban Agriculture

Philadelphia Parks & Rec recently hired a Garden Outreach Coordinator to support the subcommittee’s work. The Coordinator will be hosting soil safety workshops and demonstrations for gardeners throughout the city in the springtime, so keep an eye out for updates.

RSVPs are now open for the upcoming Urban Ag Open House, which will help the subcommittee set the agenda for 2016.

Chairs: Nicole Hostettler and Ash Richards

Zero Waste

The Zero Waste Subcommittee is in the process of setting the agenda for 2016. At its last meeting, the subcommittee started exploring possible partnerships with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to reduce food waste at City-supported meal sites.

The subcommittee has set the third Tuesday of every other month at 4pm as its regular meeting time. Contact Chair Linda Knapp if you’re interested in participating.

Chair: Linda Knapp

Communications & Outreach

Communications & Outreach hosted a Member Media Training at the December general meeting. Pennsylvania Horticulture Society’s Alan Jaffe presented on best practices for messaging and engaging with the media, followed by social media tips and strategies from Green Philly Blog’s Julie Hancher.

Many thanks to both presenters for sharing their expertise with FPAC, as well as FPAC alum Nic Esposito for coordinating a fantastic workshop.

Chair: Madeline Smith-Gibbs

Governance & Membership

In December members voted to approve a set of changes to FPAC’s bylaws, which are now updated on FPAC’s website. At the February general meeting, the subcommittee will present recommended changes to Article 2: Decision-Making Structure. An advance copy will be circulated at least 5 working days before the meeting for members and the general public to review.

Chair: Alison Hastings