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1775 -� o Community Farming Committee Meeting Minutes July 23, 2013 A meeting of the Community Farming Committee (CFC) was held on July 23, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. in the Parker Room in the Town Office Building. Members in attendance were: Chairman Michael Bliss, Michelle Ciccolo, Alan Wrigley and Tom Olivier. Also attending: Assistant Town Manager for Finance Rob Addelson and Community Development Director Karen Mullins (members of the RFP evaluation committee), Purchasing Director Lindsay Dahlberg and Town Manager Carl Valente. Charles Lamb, who is being considered by the Board of Selectmen for appointment to the Committee, was also in attendance. Due to the unforeseen delay by the representatives from Fat Moon Farm, the meeting began at 8:40 a.m. 8:40 a.m. Executive Session: Ms. Ciccolo moved that the Committee go into Execution Session for Exemption 7, to comply with a General Law requirement: MGL chapter (26)(d) and (h): Deliberative Process, Protect Integrity of Bidding Process. Mr. Wrigley seconded the motion. The Committee members agreed that it would be appropriate for Mr. Lamb to attend the executive session. On a roll call vote the motion was unanimously approved. Interview with Fat Moon Farm: Noel and Elizabeth Almeida, co- owners of Fat Moon Farm (IMF) joined the meeting. Follow -up questions regarding the IMF proposal are attached to these Minutes. Due to the delay in the start of the meeting, the CFC focused on certain of the questions. Responses made by Fat Moon Farm included: 1. Question 2 (part 1) response: IMF will hire a production manager for both the Lexington and Westford locations. They will also hire a farm manager for the Lexington site and seasonal help. They would also expect to have `work to food share' volunteers providing some of the labor, as they do in Westford. 2. Question 4 (part 1) response: FMF's experience is that residents understand the CSA concept. IMF has increased the number of CSA subscribers in Westford from 20 in the first year to 60 this year. The IMF marketing strategy is to provide a very good farm experience and let word -of- mouth market their products. They would also offer `farm bucks' at a small discount to Lexington residents and provide residents with a preference in enrolling in farm classes. The IMF Business Plan would not place a limit on farm bucks because they believe that by collaborating with other area farmers IMF will be able to provide a variety of farm products throughout the year. 3. Question 7 (part 1) response: The Almeida's have self financed their financial losses in 2011 and 2012. Part of the reason for the loss in 2012 was their investment in farm equipment and bees. In 2013 they have tripled staff and revenue, purchased two tractors, 10/15/2013