Monday, December 16, 2019
Minutes
The Academic Senate Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate met on Monday, December 16, 2019, 1:30-2:30 P.M, Student Union, Second Floor, Food Pantry Vestibule
Committee Members in Attendance:
Emily Tai
Amy Traver
Dee Brodbar
Ronni Weprin
Christopher Roblodowski
Susan Jacobowitz
Liaisons in Attendance:
Amawati P. Gonesh (Single Stop)
William Faulkner
Business:
The meeting was called to order at 1:35 PM
The committee began the meeting with a discussion on the CUNY Matters food vouchers and how students are refusing cards for use in the dining halls. These students are chosen by algorithm as most vulnerable to food insecurity, but there seems to be a lack of student engagement or interest.
The committee then discussed Naomi Sharpe’s (from Center for Urban Renewal) involvement with the committee’s activities. Available funding may be more competitive in January 2020 if SNAP funding is reduced. She was asked to write for donors to intervene on behalf of the college. SNAP benefits will change starting April 2020. Students must work 20 hours to receive SNAP benefits. There may be an increase in food pantry visits because of lower SNAP applications.
Vice-President Faulkner briefed the committee on the installation of the new kitchen for the college. He also said that a 10$ Tiger Card food voucher has been made available for students, but only 48 students have taken advantage of this offer. For the cafeteria, the Farmer’s Fresh machine will be waiving the replacement fee.
Dr. Brian Kerr suggested for the committee to improve the website appearance and efficiency.
The committee discussed the problem of selectively sharing information so offices aren’t flooded with requests. Questions of how to manage increased numbers of inquiring students and how to have enough funding were raised.
The conversation moved into some reported concerns over food distribution from the pantry: students taking food, but discarding it downstairs in the student union basement; students taking more than the allotted 6-8 items; the building entrance is sometimes locked. It was suggested that the website should state for students to enter through the basement if the building’s front doors are locked.
The food pantry’s relocation was discussed. Perhaps it should be in closer proximity to Single Stop. There were also accessibility concerns for the current location.
Dr. Amy Traver mentioned the fresh food future, to freeze overprepared food in packets for students. The college contract with Metro Foods will expire in the summer of 2020, and a new food delivery plan will need to be set in place in the spring of 2020. The Queens County Farm will partner with the Queens College food drive, and the committee is considering following this practice.
Dr. Brian Kerr and Ronni Weprin met with Jessica Chate from the Jewish Poverty Center who complimented the food pantry’s variety during her visit.
The committee is considering another possible vender for pantry items.
In January of 2020, committee members and other volunteers will reorganize shelves. Single Stop will have access to the pantry while the college is on Winter Break.
The committee will submit available service times for the spring.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Alves
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Alves
Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate, Secretary
