Thursday, February 17, 2011

CHOW Advisory Meeting

CHOW COMMITTEE MINUTES February 15, 2011

I - CHOW Farm

Plans are being made for the planting season. Seeds have been order. Pruning of the orchard will occur in March. A 7 foot fence will be put in surrounding the tilled area. A bee hive and several bird houses will be place on the property by a local couple. Pumpkins will be planted this spring as a cash crop. Manley’s Mighty Marts has agreed to sell the pumpkins in their stores.

II - HPNAP Grant

The five year cycle HPNAP (Hunger Prevention & Nutrition Assistance Program) grant for our food recovery program Broome Bounty was submitted on February 10th. HPNAP is a program of the New York State Health Department. The grant was for $125,000 and includes funds for a farm manager. This year, the last of the last cycle, Broome Bounty will receive $76,000 from HPNAP.

III - Relationship with Food Bank of the Southern Tier

Negotiations have begun with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier on improving our relationship with them. We are exploring the possibility of becoming either a Redistribution Organization or a Partner Distribution Organization. A meeting will take place in March with Dr. Joe Sellepack, Ed Blaine, and Pat Regan, President of the Council’s Board of Directors, and representatives from the Food Bank and Feeding America.

IV - UPCOMING EVENTS

A. Lupo’s Car Pit on State Street will give half of the cost of spiedies that are purchased on Monday, February 21 to CHOW.

B. Spring Craft Fair – March 19 – BU West Gym

C. Chili Championship – May 7 at BU

D. Cruisin Palloopza – June 24, 25, 26 at Whitney Point Fair Grounds

IV - TRUCK ISSUES

We are still looking for a 17’ refrigerated truck to replace one of our Bounty trucks that is no longer usable.

V – Additional Items

A safe food handling workshop for soup kitchen volunteers will be held at the Council on either May 19 or 26. Ellen DeFay from the Cornell Cooperative Extension will conduct the work shop.

Next Meeting – March 15

Lupo's Promotion

Okay spiedie lovers. On Monday, Feb. 21, when you buy spiedies, either cooked or uncooked, at Lupo's S & S CharPit on State Street in Binghamton, Lupo's will donate have the cost to CHOW.