Item Description:
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Est Food Recovery Grant Program; neg grant agmts to provide funding to organizations that collect, process, and/or redistribute surplus food to Hennepin County residents, NTE $300,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that a Food Recovery Grant Program be established to provide funding for organizations that collect, process, and/or redistribute surplus food to Hennepin County residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate and award grant agreements for a combined total not to exceed $300,000; and that following a review and approval by the County Attorney's Office, the County Administrator be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
In Hennepin County, enough edible food is discarded each year to fill Target Field 1.5 times. Most surplus food from restaurants, food retailers such as grocery stores, and households ends up in the trash. The impact of discarded food on our climate and environment is significant, food never eaten requires resources to grow, harvest, transport, and prepare - even when it ends up being discarded. At the same time, food security needs have increased exponentially over the last four years.
The county is committed to reducing health disparities by partnering with food recovery organizations to promote access to healthy, culturally relevant food and increase food security for residents. The Food Security Planning Team, a cross-departmental effort, is collaborating to address food security through various lenses, including health, economic security, and environment. One way to increase access to healthy foods is through the collection and redistribution of surplus food. Food recovery is also crucial in reaching the County's Zero Waste and Climate Action Plan goals.
Food recovery efforts have long been funded through the county's Business Waste Preve...
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