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RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, FOR THE FOOD SYSTEM POLICY DIVISION TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO IDENTIFY, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOP A SERIES OF PLANS AND ACTIVITIES THAT WILL CREATE AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE, REDUCING BARRIERS TO ENTRY AND SUSTAINABILITY, AND IN WHICH ALL RESIDENTS WILL EQUITABLY BENEFIT FROM THE POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SOCIOECONOMIC OUTCOMES.
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WHEREAS, across New Haven, 22% of the City’s residents are food insecure, - with not enough food or money to buy food - much higher than the Connecticut rate of 12% and national rate of 13%; and
WHEREAS, in two recent studies in New Haven - DataHaven’s Wellbeing Survey and CARE’s New Haven Health Survey - food insecurity impacts 1 in 3 adults in the City’s lowest income neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, urban agriculture has the potential to increase food access and food security, improve health, generate income, build skills, enhance community development, and develop connections to broader efforts to address structural causes of inequities; and
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven’s Food System Policy Division since its creation has partnered extensively with relevant community organizations regarding urban agriculture and food access initiatives across the City of New Haven.
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s newly established Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production is offering funding through its FY 2020 Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Competitive
Grants Program to assist eligible entities with projects that support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production, specifically providing funding to support the development of projects that will either initiate, build upon, or expand the efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs; and
WHEREAS, the Food System Policy Division meets the priorities of this competitive grants program through its current research on national and international best practices regarding zoning for urban agriculture, and partnerships with relevant community organizations; including the New Haven Food Policy Council, Love Fed New Haven, Coordinated Food Assistance Network, Gather New Haven; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Alders supports the Food System Policy Division’s efforts to create an enabling environment for urban agriculture in which all residents will equitably benefit from the positive environmental, health and socioeconomic outcomes; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven authorizes the Mayor of the City of New Haven to apply for funds offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s FY 2020 Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 over three years, or $250,000 in a single year, and to accept such funds, if offered, and to execute all documents and contracts as necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven authorizes the Mayor of the City of New Haven to extend the award and/or approve no cost amendments of the award.