title
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 CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $75,000 OVER THREE YEARS, FOR THE FOOD SYSTEM POLICY DIVISION TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A SERIES OF PLANS AND ACTIVITIES THAT WILL CREATE AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE, SPECIFICALLY FOR SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCTION AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW HAVEN, SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS WILL EQUITABLY BENEFIT FROM THE POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SOCIOECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF URBAN AGRICULTURE.
body
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 Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is offering funding through its Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to assist eligible entities for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops; and
WHEREAS: specialty crops are defined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture (including maple syrup and honey), and nursery crops (including floriculture); and
WHEREAS: the Food System Policy Division meets the priorities of this competitive grant program through its current work in developing New Haven’s first Urban Agriculture Master Plan, which is funded by a separate grant award from the USDA; 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 CT Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, in an amount not to exceed $75,000 over three years, 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.