Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes $50,000 for 2019 SEED grants. The Madison Food Policy Council recommended funding for eight organizations, the average grant award is $6,250. Individual grant amounts range from $2,190 to $7,960.
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Approving the allocation of $50,000 in previously authorized funds from Direct Appropriations to fund eight (8) proposals received during the 2019 Madison Food Policy Council “SEED” Grants funding process, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into agreements with the associated agencies, organizations, groups, and individuals to implement the designated projects or programs
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WHEREAS, in the adopted 2019 City of Madison Operating Budget there is $50,000 in Direct Appropriations designated to the Madison Food Policy Council to deliver as grant funds and authorizes a working group of the Food Policy Council to deliver said funds; and,
WHEREAS, as part of the 2019 Madison Food Policy Council “SEED” Grant funding process, 19 proposals, which included $127,743.50 in total funding requests, were received by the Mayor’s Office; and,
WHEREAS, the overwhelming response demonstrates the need for food system-related grants now and in the future; and ,
WHEREAS, the nature of the responses also indicates a great need in collaborative funding efforts with other stakeholders within the city and county; and,
WHEREAS, the applications were subsequently evaluated by the SEED Grants Work Group of the Madison Food Policy Council, in order to recommend no more than the authorized amount of $50,000; and,
WHEREAS, the work group placed priority on applications that were either new projects/programs, which targeted areas of need, were created with community input and buy-in, were not currently funded by the City, and if staffing costs were requested, demonstrated a clear plan for replacement for SEED funding in future years; and,
WHEREAS, the work group held a meeting in which finalists were invited to make presentations and to answer questions about their proposals; and,
WHEREAS, on April 3rd, 2018, the Madison Food Policy Council approved the recommendations of the Funding Working Group; and,
WHEREAS, a total of eight (8) SEED proposals were funded (recommendations of the working group), totaling $50,000 (specific proposals and funding recommendations are shown below); and,
WHEREAS, the availability of $50,000 in Direct Appropriations under the Madison Food Policy Council “SEED” Grants is sufficient to cover the Madison Food Policy Council’s recommended program/project funding allocations for eight (8) proposals, as specified below:
By the Community for the Community: Growing a food movement for Latinos through the Wellness Worker Model (CWWs), Centro Hispano, Inc.
Up to $6,700 to fund Community Wellness Workers stipends and a farmer’s market manager position
Aldermanic District 14
Elver Park Farmer’s Market and the Southwest Transitional Employment Program, Common Wealth Development, Inc.
Up to $2,190 to fund two (2) Southwest Transitional Employment Program participants to assist at and provide community outreach for the Elver Park Farmer’s Market
Aldermanic Districts 1,7, 9, 10, and 20
Youth Employment Training Program (YET), DSS Community Center, Inc.
Up to $7,000 to fund a youth supervisor for the Youth Employment Training Program
Aldermanic District 12
Thea’s Table Weekend Food Program, Food 4 Thought Initiative - Fiscal Agent: Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Community Center, Inc.
Up to $7,960 to fund provision of Weekend Food Bags and Emergency Food Bags to high-need families in the Madison Metropolitan School District
Citywide Reach - All Aldermanic Districts
Free to be Healthy, Freedom, Inc.
Up to $7,400 to fund bilingual food pantry staffers and the purchase of food pantry inventory
Aldermanic District 14
Harvesting Ownership & Outcomes to Develop Stability initiative (HOODS), Mellowhood Foundation, Inc
Up to $7,000 to fund youth employment stipends for garden-based enterprise and Mellowhood Hots product line
Aldermanic District 20
Owl Creek Community Gardens, Vera Court Neighborhood Center, Inc.
Up to $4,000 to fund materials costs for the creation of the Owl Creek Community Gardens
Aldermanic District 16
Enhancing Food Access and Establishing Healthy Eating Habit through Early Childhood Education, Today Not Tomorrow, Inc
Up to $7,750 to fund stipends for parent advocates and a preservation coordinator, and materials and food inventory
Aldermanic District 15
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Madison Common Council approves the recommendations of the Madison Food Policy Council to provide funding for the programs and projects in the amounts detailed above; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute agreements with the above listed agencies, organizations, or companies (or their fiscal agents) for the described activities.