Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Srija Srinivasan, Acting Director, Public Health, Policy and Planning
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with The Health, Environment, Agriculture, and Learning Project, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with the Health, Environment, Agriculture, and Learning Project, Inc. for the support and management of the San Mateo County School Farm, extending the term through June 30, 2024, and increasing the amount by $360,000 to an amount not to exceed $920,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2010, Public Health, Policy and Planning (PHPP) has partnered with the Health, Environment, Agriculture and Learning (HEAL) Project, Inc. to manage the San Mateo County School Farm (School Farm) in Half Moon Bay. The HEAL Project, Inc. is uniquely qualified to manage the day-to-day operations of an agricultural education facility that serves students from County schools. Students from low-income schools are prioritized for no-cost field trips to the School Farm.
On November 15, 2018, your Board approved an agreement with the HEAL Project, Inc. to continue implementation support of curriculum and infrastructure development for the School Farm.
DISCUSSION:
San Mateo County Health is committed to creating a sustainable food system that ensures all residents have access to healthy food choices. The HEAL Project, Inc. has the technical expertise to manage the School Farm and to facilitate on-farm lessons that are aligned with California Content Standards. Students who visit the School Farm will become better acquainted with the local food system and, therefore, be more likely to make healthy food choices.
In their management of the County’s school farm, the HEAL Project, Inc. provides County students with unique experiences that increase their knowledge of the food system and likely increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. The amount of the contract will be increased to accommodate more students and more low-income students. From 2018 to 2021, 3,652 students visited the School Farm, including 2,005 students eligible for the Free and Reduced-Price School Meals program. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the HEAL Project, Inc. was unable to serve students on campus. Their educational staff have updated lessons and developed both synchronous and asynchronous distance learning tools while field trips were paused.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
The Contract Compliance Committee has approved a waiver request to amend the agreement for an additional three years.
It is anticipated that at least 1,750 students from across the County will visit the School Farm each year and 50% of those participating will be eligible for the Free and Reduced-Price School Meals program.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2021-22 Estimated |
FY 2022-23 Projected |
|
Number of students visiting the School Farm each year |
1,750 students |
1,750 students |
|
Percentage of student visitors eligible for the Free or Reduced-Price School Meals program |
50% 875 Students |
50% 875 Students |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the revised agreement is July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024. This amendment increases the contract amount by $360,000 to an amount not to exceed $920,000 for the three-year term. Of the amended amount, $120,000 is included in the PHPP FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget; similar arrangements will be made for future years. The amended amount is 100% funded by Net County Cost.