farms, markets, and food systemscharlottenc.gov/hns/ce/documents/focusgroupmeeting... · 2016. 12....
TRANSCRIPT
Farms, Markets, and Food Systems
Focus Groups
December 7, 2016
Agenda
Overview
• Farmers Market Study - background, mission & goals
• Why we’re here tonight
• Charlotte area markets
• What we’ve heard
• Your thoughts
• What’s next
2015 City Council referral
• Markets as community assets,
entrepreneurship opportunities,
and food access
• N.C. State Farmers Market on
Yorkmont attendance
Background
Miss ion
Develop a recommendation for a Charlotte market system that supports farmers, entrepreneurship, and food access
while building community and place throughout Charlotte and the region.
Farmers Market Team
Tom Warshauer N&BS, Community Engagement
John Short N&BS, Community Engagement
Lori Lencheski N&BS, Economic Development
Jason Lawrence CATS
Johanna Quinn CDOT
Melia Gordon City Manager’s Office
Chandler Crofts Engineering & Property Management
Elliott Royal Mecklenburg County Health Dept
Alberto Gonzalez Planning
Katrina Young Planning / Zoning
Farmers Market Study Goals
Identify opportunities & develop strategies to improve:
Retail Market System
Wholesale System
Food Access Community and Place
Farmers Market Study Goals
Identify opportunities & develop strategies to improve:
Retail Market System
Wholesale System
Food Access Community and Place
• Markets build community pride and sense of place
• 15-20 social interactions per visit (1-2 @ grocery stores)
• Economic impact
• As much as $7.80 of every $10 remains in community supporting local jobs & businesses
• Region’s residents spend $662 M on fresh produce that could be grown locally
• Little supply-chain infrastructure exists in our region
• Approx. 14% of population lives in poverty
• Lack of access to healthy food impacts quality of life
Stakeholder input is critical. We need your help to:
• Shape how we move forward: – What are the right questions we need to be asking? – What is the right direction we need to be moving in?
• Help us understand where issues and
opportunities exist
• Help us fill in the gaps – what are we not thinking of?
Why We’re Here
• Funded and managed by
N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
• Committed to current location
• Attendance lower than comparable N.C. markets
Char lotte Regional Farmers Market
Attendance Acres Selling Space / Amenities
Charlotte 546,638 22 • 45K sf retail space • 21K sf greenery shed
Asheville 1.4 Million 36 • 100K+ sf retail space • Wholesale area, garden center,
restaurant
Piedmont-Triad 1.8 Million 77 • 45K sf retail space • Garden center, wholesale, restaurant
Raleigh 3.5 Million 75 • 61K sf retail space • Wholesale terminal, outdoor space,
3 restaurants
N.C. State Farmers Markets
Asheville Piedmont-Triad Raleigh
Char lotte Market Network
28 smaller markets in Mecklenburg County
Char lotte Market Network
• Indoor Markets o Atherton Market o 7th Street Market
• Private Markets
o Kings Drive market o Newell Market o Cotswold Market
• Municipal markets
o Davidson o Matthews
• County Market o Rosa Parks
Vendors at the Charlotte State Market
Most are within 50-mile radius
50
100
175
20
10
What We’ve Heard Publ ic Markets
• Nationally, the number of farmers markets is growing – 5x as many in 2016 as in
1994
• Farmers value consistency (days of operation, proven attendance, space) and may have less flexibility with smaller markets
• EBT perceived as a challenge
• Consumers enjoy having the actual farmer present; increases sales for farmer, too
• Developers are responding to growing demand; creating new market opportunities (Highland Mills)
What We’ve Heard Other U.S. Markets
• Open air or enclosed space
• Located in or near downtown areas
• Smaller sites, 1-4 acres or a few downtown blocks
• On-site dining options
• Year-round destination
• Offer more than food (e.g. arts & crafts)
What We’ve Heard Farmers
• 9,721 farms in 14 county region; most are small farms with sales less than $10,000 (2012)
• Direct-to-consumer sales continue to increase; CSA subscriptions are also becoming more popular
• Potential to expand local markets for local farm products
• Sustainability will require younger
generation of farmers; average age in N.C.: 57
What We’ve Heard Food Access
• 14.2% of Mecklenburg County residents live in poverty
• 16% receive Food & Nutrition
Services (FNS)
• 16% of households with children face food security issues in Meck County (9% national avg)
• Chronic diseases linked to poor diets is increasing; low-income families are more susceptible
• Studies show correlation between local, healthy foods and positive health impacts
• Interest in fresh, local food products is on the rise
• Boom in “healthy fast-casual” restaurants (30% growth in sales in 2014 compared to 2.4% fast-food sales)
What We’ve Heard Restaurants/Entrepreneurs/Distributors
• 41% of chefs believe environmental sustainability will be the hottest trend over the next decade, followed by local sourcing (21%) and nutrition (14%)
• Lack of adequate infrastructure to supply restaurants and institutional buyers
Tonight ’s Discuss ion
Four breakout groups:
Farmers Market administrators Restaurants/entrepreneurs/distributors Food access & security
Table moderators will be with each group to facilitate discussion
Breakout Sess ion 1
• What is currently working well?
• What challenges are you experiencing?
Report Out & Discussion −What is currently working well?
−What challenges are you experiencing?
Breakout Sess ion 2
Let’s discuss how to achieve a better market system:
– What questions would it be helpful to have answered?
– What information/research would be helpful to have?
Report Out & Discussion
– What questions would it be helpful to have answered?
– What information/research would be helpful to have?
What ’s Next?
• January 2017: Findings of tonight’s meeting will
be compiled and shared
• Early 2017: release Request for Proposal for
consultant(s) to help move us forward
• Updates at charlottenc.gov/nbs/ce
More Informat ion
More information on the Farmers Market Study: Neighborhood & Business Services Community Engagement John Short: [email protected] Neighborhood & Business Services Economic Development Lori Lencheski: [email protected] Planning Department Alberto Gonzalez: [email protected] Katrina Young: [email protected]
http://charlottenc.gov/nbs/ce