Partners: CR-FAIR
and RTE FASC
Community Stories
Food Matter Newsletter
Resources
Past Issues of
Making Food Matter
Issue #1, December 2006
Issue #2, April 2007
Other Food Related Newsletters
Issue 4, March 2008
This Issue:
- Welcome
- Planning for food security in the CRD
- Food Matters! Annual Regional Forum on Food Security
- Coming soon: Capital Region Food and Health Action Plan
- Food CHI – A Food Strategy for the Sooke Region
- The Case for Urban Agriculture
- New Foodservice Co-op Formed
- BC Seeds Database 2008
- Food Access and Health
- Farmlands and Farm Viability
- Food and Climate Change
- Community Announcements and Submissions
- Events
Welcome
Welcome! This fourth issue of Making Food Matter e-newsletter has shown the strong interest in and need for a vehicle to share information and to connect. Thank you for all of the submissions!.
The purpose of this newsletter is to inform and connect people in BC's Capital Region who are working on, or have an interest in local food security issues.
This newsletter is focused on reporting to you the work that is taking place by a wide range of individuals, community food, health, and environmental groups and organizations, as well as local businesses and decision makers to engage in policy, planning and action around food. It is also here to let you know what is coming down the pipe and how you can get involved.
Please forward the newsletter through your networks, encourage others to subscribe, and send information you would like to share to info@communitycouncil.ca.
Planning for food security in the CRD
CR-FAIR and
CRD Roundtable on the Environment -
Food and Agriculture Subcommittee
invite you to:
Food Matters! Annual Regional Forum on Food Security
Please join us to learn, network and celebrate the progress made by local people, organizations, government and farm and food producers in the realm of food security over the past year.If we could bump the spending of each CRD resident on local food and farm products by 25%, we would be a model community for food security in North America. But do we have the agricultural capacity? Will rising land prices, lack of on-farm labour and increasing regulation stand in the way of the 100 Mile Island Diet? What is our road forward?
Restaurateur David Mincey and farmer Lyle Young of Island Farmhouse Poultry will provide food for thought on the supply and demand of local foods.
Click here to read the full details of the forum.
Coming soon: Capital Region Food and Health Action Plan
A joint publication of the CRD Roundtable on the Environment and CR-FAIR, this booklet summarizes the steps government, industry, institutions, communities and citizens can take to increase the economic viability and environmental sustainability of the regional food system, while contributing to population health, food security and community resilience. Available mid-March online at www.communitycouncil.ca/activities.phpFood CHI (Community Health Initiative) – A Food Strategy for the Sooke Region
Submitted by Kate Kittredge
What is Food CHI? Food CHI is a volunteer group of concerned individuals, food producers and consumers representing the Sooke Region from East Sooke to Port Renfrew. The aim of the group is to ensure access to good, local and fair food for all residents of our region. Read more... (pdf)
The Case for Urban Agriculture
Submitted by Monty Crisp
Contrary to popular belief that large commercial farms dominate food production, urban agriculture is increasing worldwide. In 1995, 45% of the world’s population lived in cities. By 2020, 60% of the world’s population will live in cities. In the next 25 years, cities will account for nearly all population growth. More and more urban or peri-urban dwellers are attempting to grow at least some of their own food. This is the essence of urban agriculture. Read more... (pdf)
New Foodservice Co-op Formed
The Vancouver Island Heritage Foodservice Co-op was launched at the founding members’ meeting on February 17, 2008. The purpose of the multi-stakeholder co-op is to mobilize partners to rebuild local food systems in the Island Coastal region. The co-op’s business plan includes providing distribution, warehousing, and co-packing services aimed at the ‘foodservice’ market channel: institutions, restaurants, etc. Read more… (pdf)BC Seeds Database 2008
Submitted by Lee Fuge
As the 2008 growing season quickly approaches, we would like to remind you about a great resource for finding BC-grown organic seeds:
www.bcseeds.org. This website is home to the BC Seeds Database, an extensive list of BC-grown organic seeds with links directly to seed growers’ websites. The database currently lists 9 of BC’s organic seed growers.
Read more... (pdf)
Food Access and Health
Feasting for Change: Reconnecting to Food, Land and Culture
Submitted by Fiona Devereaux, Community Nutritionist for Aboriginal Health. Photo of Feast Vegetables by Kate Kittredge
The Feasting for Change project brings Aboriginal Peoples in South Vancouver Island together around traditional food feasts to discuss food security and food sovereignty in their communities. The goal is to identify community-specific issues around food and inspire action to address these issues. Read more… (pdf)
Sharing Food and Knowledge
A Forum Connecting Food, Research, and People at UVic and in the Capital Region. Opening presentations by Dr. Alec Ostry, Canada Research Chair in the Social Determinants of Community Health and Linda Geggie, of CR-FAIR and LifeCycles. Wednesday March 26th, 3:30 – 5:30 at UVic Haro Room, Cadboro Commons Building. Read more... (pdf)Scotland To Develop Coherent Food Policy
This article originally appeared in Food Link Nanaimo - DIGEST # 7, February 10th, 2008
FLN Editor's note: Scotland is setting out on a novel task - to develop a coherent food policy. It has just released a discussion paper to begin a national conversation on how to go about this ambitious pursuit. The paper highlights its vision for a food policy that looks at all aspects of the food chain. It seeks to promote health and access to healthy food options for all segments of the population, encouraging people to be interested in food and ask questions about where it comes from while also contributing to a strong and environmentally sustainable food industry. The discussion paper invites public commentary through a variety of fora which will help determine the content of the policy.
Visit www.foodforethought.net to link to the discussion paper.
Farmlands and Farm Viability
What does the future of farming look like in the CRD?
A recent publication by the BC Institute for Cooperative Studies on Saanich Organics documents a working model for small-scale cooperative and sustainable agriculture. Robin Tunnicliffe writes about the farming business she runs with Rachel Fisher and Heather Stretch on the Saanich Peninsula. The three women have made their small organic farms financially sustainable by working together and marketing their produce cooperatively. The booklet documents the inner workings of their business and explains how other farming operations can direct-market their produce under a collective name brand. It also explores the challenges facing small-scale agriculture and how these women remain resilient and committed to their farming careers and to feeding their community.
Each booklet costs $4 and is available by calling the BC Institute of Cooperative Studies at 472-4539.
Understanding Farm Taxes
In December, Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue, ordered a review of farm property tax assessment policy. The policy review is aimed to protect small farms, and in particular small suburban-area farms. The ministry’s initiative was welcomed by farmers as an opportunity to give needed help to local food producers and to lend an environmental perspective to outdated assessment criteria. The ministry’s review was triggered by a public outcry after a BC Assessment Authority (BCAA) re-assessment of 204 Saanich properties classified as farms, during 2007.
Read more... (pdf)
B.C. Agriculture Plan Goes Local for Global Benefit
The new B.C. Agriculture Plan, released February 15 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, outlines a visionary view for the future of the agriculture industry, focused on promoting B.C. food products, making the agriculture industry a leader in reducing climate change impacts, and reconnecting British Columbians with locally grown food.
Read the press release here (pdf) or
Visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands website to read details and to download the new B.C. Agriculture Plan.
Update on the new Vancouver Island-Gulf Islands Region Meat Processing Regulations
The Meat Industry Enhancement Strategy team of the BC Food Processors Association is continuing to work with meat processing plant operators interested in becoming licensed. The Meat Transition Assistance Program, the capital cost assistance fund for plant operators interested in upgrading or building new plants, is now underway.
Click here to read a full update (pdf)
Food and Climate Change
Food Plays Role in Climate Change
Food miles are the distance food travels from the farm to your plate. The concept is used to underline how far many foods are transported through global trade and the costs of this transport in economic, social, and environmental terms. When foods are transported long distances, they tend to lose taste and nutrient value because of the time and conditions in transit. Click here to read the full article in Kamloops This Week.
Greenpeace Canada: Question Mark Asks if You Know What's in Your Food
This article originally appeared in Food Link Nanaimo - DIGEST # 7, February 10th, 2008
On August 8, 2007, Greenpeace activists made a 61-meter long question mark in a field containing genetically engineered (GE) corn near Abbotsford, British Columbia to highlight the absence of any GE food labeling in Canada. Read more... (pdf)
Community Announcements and Submissions
Island Chef's Collaborative to Host Local Food Festival
Submitted by David Mincey, Island Chef’s Collaborative
The Island Chef’s Collaborative is proud to host our first Local Food Festival- “Defending Our Backyard”. Join us on Sunday May 25th for a celebration of the fantastic foods and beverages produced on our little piece of paradise. Find out what you can do to increase the amount of local foods in your family's diet. Learn from experts on topics ranging from seed saving, composting and organic gardening to the ethical harvest of seafood and the processing of meats and poultry. Information booths, guest speakers, live music, a luncheon prepared by ICC chefs, and samples from local wineries, cideries and breweries will combine to make this a truly memorable and informative afternoon.
12 to 4 pm at Fort Rodd Hill. Tickets: $45 per person, available at ICC member restaurants and VQA wineshops.
Visit www.iccbc.ca for more information.
Agriculture Conservation Holidays
Submitted by The Land Conservancy
Are you interested in spending a few days on a local sustainable farm rubbing shoulders with the people that grow your food? Spend some days in the sunshine laughing, learning about farming and…..working a bit too? The Land Conservancy has been running its Conservation Holiday program for 8 years and we are now having holidays focused on learning about food and farming. Read more... (pdf)
Haliburton Community Organic Farm Seedling Nursery and Farm Stand to Open in April
Submitted by Tina Baynes, Haliburton Community Organic Farm
Our Farm Stand and Plant Nursery open on Saturday, April 19th, 11am-6pm. We offer certified organic produce and a full compliment of vegetables and fruits will be available throughout the growing season, all of which is grown on the farm. Encouraged by sales last year, this year the farm stand is opening two months earlier. New this year is the Haliburton Seedling nursery, selling vegetable and flower seedlings. Read more… (pdf)
Sowing Seeds: UBC Farm Organic Agriculture Apprenticeship
The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm is excited to offer Sowing Seeds: a new, hands-on, season-long apprenticeship-style course in Organic Agriculture hosted at the UBC Farm, starting mid March 2008. Read more… (pdf)
Events Listing
Click here to see a calendar of food related events going on in the region.
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The work of CR-FAIR is supported by CRD Roundtable on the Environment Food & Agriculture Subcommittee, LifeCycles, Community Council, CR-FAIR Steering Committee members and: |
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Financial support for this project provided by Vancouver Island Health Authority's "Community Food Action Initiative" through ActNow BC - the government of BC's investment in promoting healthy choices through a partnership-based, community-focused approach to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce tobacco use. |
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