Title
Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest 2019
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Junior League of Phoenix for the 2019 Phoenix Food Day event. The Junior League of Phoenix desires to work jointly with the City of Phoenix to enhance the event with a "Healthfest" component, including facilitating volunteer participation, serving on the event planning committee, and providing $11,900 to be used for various event expenses. Further request to authorize execution of amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding as necessary within the Council-approved expenditure authority as provided below, and for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
In 2013, the City of Phoenix Green Team held the first Phoenix Food Day tailored for City employees only. The event was focused on healthy eating, growing food, nutrition and was a resounding success. In subsequent years, the event was open to the public, held in downtown Phoenix near City Council Chambers and attendance and awareness grew. After adoption of the Healthy Local Food System goals in PlanPHX and the 2050 Environmental Sustainability Goals, the event was evaluated for its impact. Green Team members and event stakeholders determined that for maximum impact the event should be focused on communities experiencing food insecurity and lack of access to healthy food. The current objective is to establish partnerships in food desert areas, host the event for two to three years within the area, and empower partners to continue the event. In 2016, Phoenix Food Day moved from the original downtown location to the 16th and Jefferson area (a food desert/food insecure area), and two years later was moved to the Maryvale area through a partnership with the Cartwright School District and Valley of the Sun United Way. The Cartwright School District and its families experience hunger and food insecurity with an average of 85% of its students provided with free or reduced-cost lunch. Isaac and Alhambra School Districts will be invited to participate in the event also.
The Office of Environmental Programs, as Local Food System Goal Leader, has taken responsibility for coordination of Phoenix Food Day to be held this year on Oct. 26, 2019. The annual budget is dependent on sponsor/partner contributions and varies from year to year. Event activities are offered within the constraints of the available annual budget. The event is free and open to the public.
Junior League of Phoenix (JLP) has previously hosted "Healthfest" events offering health screenings, vaccinations, and vision and dental services, free of charge for children and adults. Follow-up care and resources were also made available to attendees. JLP is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Upon learning about Phoenix Food Day and its alignment with its mission, JLP offered to partner with the City of Phoenix to add this valuable health component to existing Food Day activities through a financial contribution, with members allocating their time to serve on the event planning committee, and with members providing volunteer support for the event.
Phoenix Food Day offers several interactive exhibits for children and families to learn about nutrition, fitness, physical and mental heath, tips to take home to assist in making healthy choices, as well as information about resources in their community that help to promote a healthier lifestyle. There are cooking and gardening demonstrations that teach about healthy, affordable, and seasonal food. The Healthy Kids Zone includes obstacle courses and exercise classes to promote physical activity.
At this year's event, the Milwaukee Brewers will be hosting a mini baseball clinic for kids. Fry's/Kroger is providing apples for all attendees for the famous Apple Crunch. Vitalyst Health Foundation is contributing sponsor dollars and several partners, including Cartwright School District, Valley of the Sun United Way, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Grand Canyon University, Maricopa County Food System Coalition, Green on Purpose and staff from Public Works, Neighborhood Services, Parks and Recreation, Office of Sustainability and Fire Departments serve on the event planning committee.
Contract Term
The term of the Memorandum of Understanding is for a period of one year from execution.
Financial Impact
The Junior League of Phoenix is contributing $11,900 solely for Food Day expenses as agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding. It is expected that the total amount received will be spent.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Transportation, Infrastructure, and Innovation Subcommittee unanimously recommended approval of the item on Sept. 4, 2019.
Public Outreach
Public Outreach for the event includes notification through PHX at Your Service Newsletter; Neighborhood Services Newsletter, social media, website, flyers at community and recreation centers, and libraries. Partners provide outreach through their networks, including notifications to students and parents in the school districts. Funds are also allocated for paid advertising.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Environmental Programs.