This chapter establishes the Bridgeport Food Policy Council and includes directives for the City government relating to transportation of food to distribution points, direct food assistance services; land use for food production, processing and distribution; food business development; and other food policy priorities. It also sets forth specific goals for the food policy council, including "1.To reduce hunger as an obstacle to a happy, healthy productive life in the city; 2.To assist in creation of city policies to encourage a wide variety of safe and nutritious food being available for all city residents and visitors; 3.To assist in creation of city policies to encourage that access to food for all, so that access is not limited by economic status, location or other factors beyond a resident's control; 4.To assist in creation of city policies encouraging and fostering the availability of food throughout the city at prices approximating the level for greater Bridgeport." In addition, the chapter sets forth powers and duties of the food policy council, including submitting an annual report to the city council and mayor summarizing the progress made in achieving each of those goals; obtaining, observing and analyzing data and community input relating to city food programs; exploring "new means for the city government to improve food economy and the availability, accessibility and quality of food and to assist the city government in the coordination of its efforts;" and recommending "to the city administration adoption of new programs and improvement to (or elimination of) existing programs as appropriate."
Examples include: "reduce hunger", "city agencies and employees providing food or the financial means of obtaining food shall plan, execute and evaluate such programs and actions in order to achieve maximum efficiency in providing food and to assure that such programs are reaching the residents in need of them, " and "City social service workers shall be especially diligent in referring persons in need of available sources of food best suited for their needs." §§ 2.123.020(c), 2.123.040.
Examples include: "improve the availability of healthy fresh food for all city residents", "happy, healthy productive life," and "a wide variety of safe and nutritious food." §§ 2.123.020, 2.123.040.
See reference to "opportunities to reduce and recapture waste in the food stream." § 2.123.
Examples include: "generate growth and employment in the food sector," "support regional farmers, strengthen regional linkages and increase urban food production" and "[t]he city in its work of developing new businesses and expanding existing businesses shall consider the benefits of those food-related businesses improving access to affordable and nutritional food, along with other city priorities such as creation of employment opportunities and increasing the local tax base." § 2.123.020.
"The purpose of the council shall be to integrate all agencies of the city in a common effort to improve the availability of safe and nutritious food at reasonable prices for all residents, particularly those in need." § 2.123.020.