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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNutrition Advisory Council - Minutes - 9/20/2021K:\Agendas and Minutes\A&D Nutrition Advisory Council\Minutes\2021\2021-09-20 Nutrition Advisory Committee Mtg Minutes-final.doc 1 BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES NUTRITION ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMITTEE Courthouse via Phone Conference September 20, 2021 Immediately following ADAC Meeting Committee Members Present: Richard Kemmer (Chairman), David Zepcyzk, Anna Hanson Committee Member Excused: Committee Member Absent: Karen Anderson, Lynette Benzschawel (Vice Chairman), Sam Ray (the brick) Staff Present: Elizabeth Skulan, Carrie Linder, Michele Reiswig Call to Order and Introductions Kemmer called the meeting to order at 4:13 p.m. No introductions were made. Discussion and Possible Action-Review of April 12th & July 19th, 2021 Meeting Minutes Motion by Hanson, second by Zepcyzk to approve the April 12 and July 19 , 2021, meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed. Nutrition Program updates A. Congregate meal site updates Linder explains that meal site opened in Barnes. Safety measures include plastic barriers on the table, masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes and bleach. Silverware, napkins, and condiment packets are individual packaged and given with meals. Masks highly recommended for participants when not eating. Masks required for staff. Meals individually packaged and delivered by home delivered meal driver. The hope is to get back to preparing and serving more fresh food on site, however this will not happen until approval and recommendation comes from the health department to do so. We will continue to monitor this. Current trend for participation is lower than previous years, attributed to people wanting to stay safe at home. It has been decided that no other sites will open at this time due to uptick in COVID cases across our county. We will however continue to plan for additional sites so that when we are approved to start up meal sites, we are ready to go. B. Home Delivered Meal updates Significant increase in the number of people we are serving due to COVID and individuals wanting to stay safe at home. This has resulted in a longer routes, meaning a diminished food quality as our drivers are spending 7 – 8 hours on the road delivering meals. The state recommends serving food within a two-hour time period, 4 hours at the longest. Our current routes double this. A proposal was put forth to the board for additional funding for staff and vehicles that would help us to split these routes, and it has been approved. Linder has been researching vehicle options and is considering smaller vehicle (such as Ford Escape) options instead of the larger van’s we’ve ordered in the past. Looking at options for partnerships with Iron River organizations who have agreed to assist in the delivery of meals to individuals in and around the Iron River area. K:\Agendas and Minutes\A&D Nutrition Advisory Council\Minutes\2021\2021-09-20 Nutrition Advisory Committee Mtg Minutes-final.doc 2 C. Review RFP process Nutrition program contracts can be extended up to 4 years, but then need to put the program out for bid so we need to be transparent and clear as to what we’re looking for in the context of vendors to serve the communities and routes that we need. She is working to put together framework for an RFP but it is challenging with so many factors and moving parts in play. It seems that what it comes down to is what vendors to we have that is interested and willing to provide meal service? Linder’s plan is to have the RFP proposal drafts ready for review and approval at the next committee meeting so it may then be forwarded on to the board for approval. Other (Informational Items) Comment from Zepcyzk: From the prospective of someone who runs a restaurant, he advises that they are being restricted on some of their food orders and food prices are continuing to increase. The vendors that they are buying from are being shorted in a lot of food, including potatoes and chicken. He is expecting that prices will continue to rise. We must keep this in mind. Perhaps consider meeting with local farms and discuss opportunitites of purchasing food directly from them. Maybe they could plant crops to accommodate our nutrition programs. Hanson is agreeing that they are seeing food shortages in their ordering of food as well. They have received donations of fish and vegetables from local businesses for their meals. Future Meeting • December 6, 2021 Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by 09/20/2021