DID YOU KNOW?

1. That some farmers markets and fresh food delivery programs can double SNAP assistance money?

2. That Liberty’s Kitchen has a guest Chef once a month?

3. That there is a new local business that uses “UGLY” fruit and vegetables to make baby food?

4. That the nearest commercial manufacturing facility for local producers is in NORCO?

5. One in five households (20%) in Louisiana is at risk of hunger?

OUR CHALLENGE

Get local food products on grocery store shelves and in local restaurants for the benefit of all New Orleanians.

WHAT YOU CAN DO / WHO CAN HELP

1. Eat Locally – there are lots of great local farms and farmers out there who are growing and selling great food / Nola FPAC

2. Grow your own food! Learn how from a few folks locally / RFC / Sprout NOLA / Nola FPAC

3. Waste not, want not. Turn your food waste into nutrient rich soil / Dig Easy / Schmelly’s Dirt Farm / The Composting Network / Compost NOW

4. Join the fight against hunger by supporting food access, advocacy, and education initiatives / Second Harvest Food Bank / Louisiana Budget Project / Nola FPAC

WHAT DO POLITICAL LEADERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR SECTOR?

1. Urban agriculture in NOLA is very complex; especially regarding the mechanics and needs of growing.

2. Stable land access is a huge barrier, we need City supported composting.

3. Local pop-ups and fruit/veggie stands are beneficial to our community. They require regulations that support them.

WHAT ARE YOUR LOCAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS?

1. Track demographics of who applies for and receives business permits through OneStop in order to assess equity of who is permitted to do business and set equity benchmarks, and make this information publicly available.

2. Following the example of Austin, New York City, and the Conference of Mayors 2012 Food Policy Task Force, establish a Food Policy Manager or Food System Manager within the City to coordinate permits for food businesses, reduce confusion, and act as a key contact for local food system projects. Food businesses include urban farms, retail sales, pop-ups, restaurants, food aggregation hubs, festival vendors, food trucks, mobile vendors, second line vendors, commercial kitchens, and any combination of these. The permitting requirements for such businesses are often unclear and a barrier.

3. Remove and relax overbearing regulations on street commerce (such as permit issuance caps, geographic restrictions, and aesthetic requirements) and clarify unclear restrictions. Expand commerce in public spaces and explore ways to support COVID-19 market re-entry through open streets policy and programs that promote physical distancing, safety from vehicle injuries, and positive police interactions.

4. Simplify the permitting process for food pop-ups by introducing food pop-up safety operations or floor plans (in place of a commercial kitchen requirement, mobile vending permit, special event permit, and Louisiana Department of Health Temporary Food Business Establishment Permit) and implement other food pop-up recommendations outlined by the New Orleans Food Policy Advisory Committee.

5. To support the local economy, implement new local procurement policy mandating minimum local purchasing requirements for anchor institutions. The nationally successful Good Food Purchasing Program may serve as a model of local procurement policy.

6. In partnership with a local equity-focused entrepreneur resource organization, establish a webinar or workshop series led by OneStop staff that covers various business licensure topics and includes Q&A.

WHAT ARE YOUR STATE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS?

1. Ensure State taxes on e-commerce are collected by the Department of Revenue to level the playing field for local main street businesses with large online companies like Amazon.

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