BC 2010 04 19 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 19, 2010 (Regular Meeting) Page 1901 preservation of farmland and rural areas. An incubator farm was opened to train new farmers to help meet the demand for fresh, local food and to keep land in agricultural production. Energy and water conservation measures have been employed in county facilities and procurement policies minimize the use of disposable items and require the use of products with recycled content when possible. Also, environmentally (and human) friendly cleaning and grounds maintenance products are used at county facilities. A number of measures have also been implemented aimed at improving air quality, including vehicle idling policies and the establishment of a large fleet of hybrid vehicles. A Local Food Economy The production and consumption of fresh, healthy food is at the heart of a sustainable community and the BOC wishes to encourage the local production, processing, distribution and consumption of food in Cabarrus County for a number of reasons. 1. There is a significant incidence of diet-related disease and poor health (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity) in Cabarrus County. The consumption of fresh, nutritious food can prevent and mitigate those diet- related conditions, thereby improving quality of life and reducing health care costs. 2. Cabarrus County has experienced a great deal of sprawling development which has displaced farms and open space and consumed significant natural and fiscal resources. Policies that promote sustainable agriculture, the preservation of existing farms and the creation of new farms to meet local food needs will keep land in production, preserve our local rural and agricultural heritage, consume minimal public resources and provide an important counterbalance to development. 3. Cabarrus County's traditional manufacturing base has diminished significantly with the closing of Pillowtex and Philip Morris. The Great Recession brought historically high unemployment rates. Building a robust, sustainable local food economy serves as a foundation for a resilient local economy that is resistant to downward global trends. 4. The air quality in Cabarrus County and the Charlotte region does not meet EPA standards. Global carbon emissions are contributing to climate change and peak oil is approaching. One method of addressing these issues is though distributed production, especially of .energy and food. 5. The number of incidents of unsafe and contaminated food being distributed across the nation (and the world) has increased over the last several years. Local production, processing and consumption will improve food safety and security for county residents. Food Policy Council The BOC establishes the Cabarrus County Food Policy Council (FPC) to identify and strengthen the connections between food, health, natural resource protection, economic development and the agricultural community. Charge. The FPC is charged with performing research, educating the community, developing strategies and making policy recommendations that will encourage the development of a robust, sustainable local food economy and a healthier population. The county government will provide the FPC with staff assistance, meeting space and other resources needed to perform its charge, subject to budget appropriations made by the BOC and county manager. A new position will be established to staff the FPC. Funding for this position will be derived from the reserve account established for the county's sustainability efforts and will not use annual operating revenues. The initial term of this position will be two years. It will be re-evaluated before the end of the two-year term and may be extended. Membership FPC members are appointed by the BOC from a pool of applicants. A committee appointed by and including the BOC chairman and the county manager will make