What exactly is “Food Self-Sufficiency,” and what does it look and taste like?
The answer to these questions and more will be the focus of Waimea Community Association’s September 6, 2012 Town Meeting at 5:15 p.m. in Waimea School Cafeteria.
As always, everyone is welcome to WCA Town Meetings and there is no charge, but all attendees are urged to bring a donation for the local food pantry-either non-perishable foods or a cash donation, which is tax deductible.
The September 6 Food Self-Sufficiency discussion will begin with an overview of a new County of Hawai’i Food Self-Sufficiency Baseline Study by land use planner Jeff Melrose. The study summarizes the results of a new Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping effort that has digitized current agricultural activity on Hawai’i Island. This data provides a 2012 snapshot of farming on this island, which can serve as a baseline to monitor future trends in agriculture land use. This mapping effort also illustrates the variability of agricultural activities island-wide by describing where farming occurs and why.
Also included as part of the study is a thoughtful list of “100 Ways To Increase Food Self-Sufficiency.” To reinforce the fact that Food-Sufficiency is everyone’s kuleana, the list identifies small actions that can lead to big outcomes. It also identifies some fundamental rethinking that will be needed by individual consumers, retailers, food buyers, schools, institutions, hotels and others, including public policy makers.
Click this link to go to a webpage where you can download a web or print version of the report or to download maps from the report:
http://geodata.sdal.hilo.hawaii.edu/GEODATA/COH_Ag_Project.html
Also on the agenda will be a brief update by community volunteer Mel Macy on the 24-acre Waimea District Park, for which a Memorandum of Understanding was recently signed between Parker Ranch and the County of Hawai’i.
Finally, North Hawai’i Community Hospital CEO Ken Wood will provide an update which will include Kaheleaulani, the hospital’s new Native Hawaiian Health Program.
For information, call WCA President Sherman Warner (885-1725) or go to www.WaimeaTown.org.
Submitted by Patti Cook
