20200422-2C: JSC Charitable Feeding Organization Permit Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation 20200422-2C – Charitable Feeding Organization Permit The following Austin‐Travis County Food Policy Board recommendation as worded was approved by the Joint Sustainability Committee on April 22, 2020. WHEREAS, the number of food insecure people in Travis County (17.3%) is higher than the national average (12.5%), making it critical to provide this population with constant and reliable access to food; and WHEREAS, the current city policy requires charitable feeding programs to acquire and maintain a Food Enterprise permit, though the majority of these programs are run by volunteers, who have limited time and financial resources as well as limited knowledge of the permitting requirements or the skills to successfully complete the process; and WHEREAS, many charitable feeding programs are offered in borrowed spaces located inside of buildings where they have no legal authority to modify the physical space; and WHEREAS, the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board is tasked with advising the Austin City Council and Travis County Commissioners' Court on the need to improve the availability of safe, nutritious, locally, and sustainably-grown food at reasonable prices for all residents, particularly those in need, by coordinating the relevant activities of city government NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board requests the Austin City Council to create a task force comprised of Austin Public Health, the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board, and other relevant stakeholders to amend the Food Enterprise permitting process for charitable feeding organizations in order to reduce the barriers of providing access to healthy foods for our community’s vulnerable and food insecure populations. Record of the vote: Motion to approve by Commissioner White, second by Commissioner Schneider. Motion passes 11 approve, 0 opposed. Date of approval: April 22, 2020 Attest: __________________________________ Zach Baumer, Liaison Zach Baumer