HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorkshop- Local Food Chapter Revised LOCAL FOOD
The local food movement is aimed at connecting consumers back to the land, providing fresh
and nutritious food, protecting the environment and supporting the local economy.
Objective: (Promote Ilocall food production, salles and consumption.
Policies
Farmland Preservation.
1. Support the preservation of agricultural lands in the city's extraterritorial growth area from
premature conversion of prime farmland to non-agricultural uses.
2. Work with private land owners and developers to provide conservation easements for long-
term local food production.
3. Explore the use of other agricultural and green space preservation programs, such as
Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), as well as the
use of conservation subdivisions.
4. Additional policies in the City of Oshkosh 2005-2025 Comprehensive Plan also foster
farmland preservation.
Community Gardens.
1. Continue cooperative efforts with the University of Wisconsin-Extension and other agencies
to provide land, education and various services for community gardens within the city.
2. Continue offering temporary garden space at Riverside Cemetery. .
3. Work with residents to identify and convert vacant or non-developable city-owned lots for
neighborhood food plots and gardens.
4. Neighborhood gardens not only beautify and utilize unused or blighted property, but also
encourage interaction and a sense of ownership in neighborhoods.
5. Explore the use of acquired lands the City of Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority is land
banking for future redevelopment, such as on Jefferson Street in the Near East Neighborhood,
for interim neighborhood gardens.
6. Utilizing land-banked sites reduces the city's costs to maintain these properties.
Private and Institutional Gardens.
1. Growing Oshkosh inc. provides a leadership role in demonstrating sustainable urban
gardening with greenhouses, aquaculture, and educational outreach to the city schools.
2. Partner with University of Wisconsin-Extension, Fox Valley Technical College and other local
organizations to prepare a brochure related to setting up an urban food plot within applicable
city/county regulations.
Sustainable Gardening Practices.
1. Suggest that community, neighborhood, institutional and company gardens establish rules
against artificial fertilizers and pesticides to protect people, water and wildlife.
2. Partner with the University of Wisconsin-Extension and other groups to provide information
to promote these rules and best practices through workshops and handouts.
3. Work with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to establish a demonstration community
garden to illustrate sustainable practices and provide tours and educational opportunities for
the community.
4. Promote the urban chickens ordinance in residential and other districts.
5. Promote the urban beekeeping ordinance to offset the nation wide loss of bees.
Greenhouses.
1. Encourage local greenhouses to implement organic and environmentally sensitive methods.
2. Consider working with greenhouses to donate starter plants for community food plots in
mixed to low income neighborhoods.
3. Ensure the zoning ordinance facilitates establishment of greenhouses in residential as well as
other districts.
Municipal Code Revisions.
1. Revise the zoning ordinance to address community gardens as permitted or conditional land
uses in all zoning districts.
2. Consider regulations determining size and placement of compost areas.
Local Food Sales
1. Support establishment of neighborhood markets.
2. Continue to support the Oshkosh Farmers Market in downtown and South Park locations.
3. Continue to support food sales from stands and trucks within current city, county and state
regulations.
4. Support efforts and provide incentives to attract a downtown or university area grocery
store.
5. Work with the groups who are interested in establishing a food co-op at a downtown
location.
Public Events.
1. Promote locally grown/produced goods at public events held in Oshkosh.
2. Offer incentives to local producers such as discounted vendor licenses and permits.
3. Give preferential placement to vendors selling local products.
4. Promote use of biodegradable food service products at all public events.
Food Education.
1. Employ the city's sustainability website and media services to provide opportunities for
citizens to learn about the importance of growing, preserving and buying local and organic
food, local food safety, such as advisories on mercury in Winnebago fish, and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by eating lower on the food chain (vegetarian).
2. Work to expand educational opportunities through the library, schools, University of
Wisconsin-Extension, greenhouses, local media and other available educational outlets.
3. Develop a best-practices brochure for composting.
4. Encourage the use of recyclable bags for food shopping.