Food for thought: a call for action
By Heather Goldsworthy Colllingwood Enterprise Bulletin
Months of planning and anticipation had led to this moment.
More than 100 community members from across Simcoe County, from food producers and distributors, farmers, and municipal leaders to representatives from social services, health units, food banks, non-profits, and environmental and sustainability organizations came together for Food for Thought 2: A Call to Action with one goal — working together towards a sustainable local food system.
“Speaking to such a large group of interested community members reminded me that the local food volunteer work that we do is important and meaningful to the region,” noted Eva Meriorg, chair of the Georgian Bay Food Alliance (GBFA) and a Food for Thought 2 committee member. “All the planning and preparation has been worthwhile.”
Meriorg and fellow committee members facilitated, introducing guest speakers and leading participants through breakout sessions.
John Miller of Miller’s Dairy, and Jalon Farms, a fifth-generation farmer, spoke first and provided insight into the challenges local food producers face as the producer-to-consumer relationship has changed, corporations have taken over and import policies implemented resulting in a financially driven food system.
Nick Saul, president of Community Food Centres Canada, spoke of the role food plays in building communities, and shared the challenges and rewards his team encountered while developing The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto.
Throughout the day attendees participated in breakout sessions, first assessing the existing local food system by determining assets, identifying challenges and looking for opportunities for improvement, then creating a compelling vision of what a sustainable local food system would look like.
The day culminated with participants identifying and allocating nine specific actions moving forward.
“Knowing the audience was full of enthusiastic like-minded folks from various sectors in our region reinforced the notion that the work of the GBFA, along with its community partners, will certainly move the local food and food security agenda forward in a positive direction,” said Meriorg.
IDENTIFIED ACTIONS
• Developing a Community Resource Website
Explore opportunities for using the Food Partners Alliance website as a regional hub that features each community’s food and agriculture projects, programs, organizations, producers etc. and provides valuable resources.
• Establishing a Community Food Centre
Develop a Community Food Center in Simcoe County drawing on Community Food Centres Canada tools.
• Establishing a Community Kitchen in Wasaga Beach
Bring a community kitchen model to Wasaga Beach in partnership with the Georgian Good Food Box.
• Education
Develop community resources and educational opportunities focusing on nutrition, food literacy, skill development, and sustainable agriculture.
• Strengthening Food Distribution & Access
Develop an alternative food distribution system increasing food access to those who cannot access markets (physically or financially) without a cost to the producer.
• Supporting Local Food In Restaurants
Determining barriers that prevent procurement of more local food in restaurants and identifying opportunities for improving distribution.
• Creating a Second Harvest or Gleaning Program
Unused fruit and vegetables to be harvested and processed to sell or use in community food relief programs.
• Preserving & Protecting Prime Food Producing Land
Protect and preserve food producing land and water resources via good planning decisions. Explore potential partnership with regional and provincial advocacy groups, associations, and government agencies.
• Building a Simcoe County Food Policy Council
To identify restricting or enabling policy and advocate for policy change.
A CALL TO ACTION
If you would like more information about the outcomes of the Food for Thought 2 workshop or would like to get involved with one of the initiatives, contact the Georgian Bay Food Alliance (GBFA).
The GBFA acts as a central communicator connecting individuals, professionals, organizations and initiatives promoting healthy, sustainable local food.
Georgian Bay Food Alliance
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