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Council Members Moline and Morris
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Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $20,000 from the unappropriated balance of the general fund for the Farmers’ Market Association of Toledo to supplement the financial shortfall of the 2021 SNAP Match Program; authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Farmers’ Market Association of Toledo; and declaring an emergency.
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SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services created the Produce Perks Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Match program through the Office of Family Assistance to bolster the participation in providing healthy-local alternatives for residents of Ohio. Through the Produce Perks program, SNAP/Ohio Directions Card recipients can get a dollar for dollar match up to $25, per farmers’ market visit, to buy fresh, locally-grown produce to supplement their diet.
Produce Perks is a project of Produce Perks Midwest, a nonprofit based in Cincinnati and is Ohio’s SNAP Match Program of which the Farmers’ Market Association of Toledo is participating member. With the Farmers’ Market Association of Toledo, this program can get healthier food to local families, while supporting local farmers and small business. Most local matching funding comes from private foundations in Northwest Ohio. However, due to an increase of 200% participation in this program since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program in Toledo experienced a shortfall in its 3-year funding projection. Shoppers and sales at the Toledo Farmers’ Market have increased significantly in 2020 and usage only continues to rise in 2021. This supplemental funding is critical to support SNAP recipient, local farmers and our Toledo Farmer’s Market.
This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of funds to support the Farmers’ Market Association of Toledo and Toledo Produce Perks SNAP Match Program for the remainder of the 2021 season.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the appropriation of $20,000 is authorized from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund to Account Code 1001-60500-7000370STDSTD for the Farmers’ Market Association of Toledo.
SECTION 2. That an expenditure of $20,000 is authorized from Account Code 1001-60500-XXXXXXX, for the Farmers’ Market Association of Toledo.
SECTION 3. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into agreements for the purpose identified in Section 1 and 2, and upon such other terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of Law.
SECTION 4. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against the above-mentioned Account Codes in an amount not to exceed $20,000 in payment of the above authorized obligations upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 5. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the passage of this Ordinance were passed in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council and any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all legal requirements including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
SECTION 6. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation for the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that this ordinance must be immediately effective in order to timely provide match monies for the Toledo Farmers’ Market Produce Perks Program.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 11, nays 0.
Passed: June 22, 2021, as an emergency measure: yeas 11, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: June 22, 2021
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor