North Memphis grower calls out missing Recovery Act funds for food-desert projects

Chief Andre Matthews, representing the Hokkiena Shobo Chickasaw Nation and the Family Farmers Co-op and Market, told the Memphis City Council on July 22 that a Recovery Act allocation intended for North Memphis food-desert initiatives has not reached local growers. Chief Matthews said the growers and farmers are “in a state of emergency” and alleged the $3,000,000 intended to support North Memphis food production and a community food network has been hijacked or withheld. He said representatives of District 7 had not responded to repeated requests for information about the funds and asked the council to clarify how the money will be used and how farmers can obtain support. Why it matters: If federal or city-directed funds intended for local food-security projects have not been disbursed or have been redirected, community food production and emergency food access in North Memphis could be impaired. Speakers - Chief Andre Matthews — Representative, Hokkiena Shobo Chickasaw Nation and Family Farmers Co-op and Market; grower and community farmer. Affiliation: nonprofit/coop/citizen. Authorities - {"type":"other","name":"Recovery Act funds for North Memphis food-desert initiatives (as cited)","referenced_by":["Chief Andre Matthews"]} Actions - {"kind":"other","motion":"Public comment requesting account and release of Recovery Act funds for North Memphis projects","mover":null,"second":null,"tally":{"yes":0,"no":0,"abstain":0},"outcome":"no_action","notes":"Public comment requesting council follow-up; no formal council action recorded during meeting."} Discussion_decision":{"discussion_points":["Allegation that $3,000,000 Recovery Act funds for North Memphis food projects have been withheld","Growers seek clarity and support to provide food in emergencies"],"directions":[],"decisions":[]},"clarifying_details":[{"category":"funding_amount","detail":"Public commenter said $3,000,000 was intended for North Memphis food-desert initiatives and has not been delivered to growers","value":"3000000","units":"USD","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Chief Andre Matthews"}],"proper_names":[{"name":"Hokkiena Shobo Chickasaw Nation","type":"organization"},{"name":"Family Farmers Co-op and Market","type":"organization"}],"community_relevance":{"geographies":["North Memphis"],"funding_sources":["Recovery Act funds (as cited)"],"impact_groups":["local growers","residents of food-desert areas"]},"meeting_context":{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":1,"duration_minutes":42,"items_count":15},"implementation_risk":"high","history":[]},