RESEARCH DIVISION
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
SPECIAL COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 18, 2016
City Council Chamber
Ground Floor, City Hall
117 W. Duval Street
Attendance: Council Members: Sam Newby (Chair), Bill Gulliford (Vice Chair), Aaron Bowman, Anna Lopez Brosche, Katrina Brown, Tommy Hazouri, Joyce Morgan; Assistant General Counsel Paige Johnston; Assistant Council Auditor Kyle Billy; Jordan Elsbury, Administration; John J. Jackson, Yvonne Mitchell, Council Research Division; Legislative Assistant Philip Zamarron.
The Chair called the Special Meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. and announced that the topics for the meeting would be an update on the Zika Virus and a presentation on Food Deserts.
Allison Hewitt, Florida Department of Health-Duval, distributed printed update material on the status of the Zika Virus in counties in Northeast Florida and the number of cases in Florida. She announced that the Department of Health-Duval’s new Assistant Director-General Services is Antonio Nichols. Ms. Hewitt also announced that the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is about to get underway. On November 14th, the program will be collecting data from residents in Duval County.
In an answer to one of the questions that she fielded, Ms. Hewitt reiterated the need to drain any standing water. In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, there is considerably more standing water in our communities, front and backyards that should be emptied. Mosquitos need very little water to breed.
Ms. Hewitt also distributed the Duval County Epidemiology Surveillance Report.
In opening the Special Meeting discussion on Food Deserts, the Chair, Council Member Sam Newby, remarked that where there are no grocery stores or supermarkets within a radius of three miles, people turn to convenient stores for nourishment; convenient stores are unlikely to have fresh fruits or vegetables that are required for healthy meals.
George E. Maxey, Executive Director of New Town Success Zone, provided a presentation.
Mr. Maxey said that the nearest supermarket for residents of New Town is two miles away, Winn-Dixie on Main Street. Reliance on convenience store fare is tantamount to eating products that are linked to obesity, heart disease and other disease. Convenience stores do not offer healthy foods for neighborhoods in the Food Deserts.
The Center for Disease Control defines Food Deserts as areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet.
New Town Success Zone’s Urban Farm (FARMacy) is committed to curbing health disparities by increasing food security and access to healthy food. The FARMacy partners with the Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida Department of Education, Habitat for Humanity (Habijax), Celebration Church, Vision Keepers, Empowerment Resources, Inc. and The Strength, Outreach 7 Leadership Connection. FARMacy provides quarterly workshops on agriculture and nutrition for youth and families in the New Town Success Zone. FARMacy is teaching children how to cook and teaching urban farming.
Mr. Maxey said that FARMacy is working with farmers at the Farmers Market to encourage those farmers to bring some of their produce to New Town.
Council Member Tommy Hazouri asked if the New Town Success Zone has reached out to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority for assistance in transporting residents to supermarkets.
Council Member Joyce Morgan noted that the health department was not listed as one of FARMacy’s current partners and wondered why. Mr. Maxey indicated that his organization works closely with the health department and had Gloria McNair present who commented on DOH-Duval’s commitment to address Food Deserts in Duval County. She talked about efforts to get healthy foods and businesses into the community. She cited Winn-Dixie as an example. Ms. McNair explained how the Food Policy Council is endeavoring to teach people how to cook and prepare and cook healthy food. She said that the education aspect was significant, to teach the importance of nutrition.
Charles Griggs, DOH-Duval, remarked on the objectives of the Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan. A component of the plan is in providing opportunities for access to healthy food sources.
Council Member Anna Lopez Brosche commended the Health Department’s Food Desert program.
Council Member Bill Gulliford indicated that he saw potential in a meeting with New Town Success Zone leaders, Ms. McNair, Paul Tutwiler and Winn-Dixie officials to discuss the possibilities of bringing Winn-Dixie into the community. Mr. Gulliford feels that the Wal-Marts and Winn Dixies could begin investing in the community by building small stores; Winn-Dixie is, after all, he remarked, local.
Mr. Maxey announced that there will be a free food distribution on October 18th at a site across from the New Town Urban Garden (on the corner of 3rd and Pearce). United Way and Farm Share have worked closely with the New Town Success Zone in making this food distribution event possible.
Mr. Maxey fielded a number of questions about urban gardening, links to the Clara White Mission’s urban agriculture programs, and other topics.
There being no other business, the Special Meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m.
John J. Jackson, Council Research Division (904) 630-1729
10.21.16
Posted: 4:00 p.m.