December 9, 2013
FOOD CHARTER
Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Prepared by: Dillon Consul ng Limited
CONTENTS
Introduc on ............................................................................................................................................ 1
Key Informants for this Research ............................................................................................................. 1
What is a Food Charter? .......................................................................................................................... 3
Examples of Food Charters in Other Communi es ............................................................................... 4
What Goes in a Food Charter? ............................................................................................................. 6
Why a Food Charter? ........................................................................................................................... 6
The Food Charter Development Process .................................................................................................. 8
Who Is Involved in Food Charter Development?................................................................................... 9
Challenges ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Beyond Food Charters ........................................................................................................................... 10
Resources .............................................................................................................................................. 11
Appendix A:
Key Informant Interview Notes (Available upon request)
Appendix B:
Food Charter Examples
Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
INTRODUCTION
This internal discussion paper serves as an introduc on to Food Charters for the North Bay Parry Sound
District Health Unit (NBPSDHU), answering the following basic ques ons:
-
What is a Food Charter?
How are Food Charters developed?
What are the benefits of Food Charters? What sorts of outcomes can they lead to?
What has been the experience of other municipali es and jurisdic ons that have embarked on the
Food Charter crea on process?
These ques ons have been addressed in similar reports authored by other agencies and organiza ons
that have already embarked upon the process of crea ng Food Charters. Much of the informa on
herein is drawn from these previous studies. This paper provides the NBPSDHU with references to
these resources for further informa on. This paper also provides a long-list of Food Charters that have
been developed or are currently under development, and includes an appendix with examples of Food
Charters from jurisdic ons around Ontario and across Canada. Addi onal informa on for this paper
was gathered from a series of key informant telephone interviews with experts in Ontario food systems
planning as well as municipal staff and community organizers who have been the drivers of Food
Charter crea on in their own regions. These conversa ons were conducted in November and
December 2013 and also serve as an introduc on to some of these food systems experts who have
offered to provide con nued support to NBPSDHU should the organiza on move forward with the
crea on of a Food Charter.
KEY INFORMANTS FOR THIS RESEARCH
The table below presents the key informants that were consulted for this research. Each key informant
has indicated their willingness to answer any addi onal ques ons NBPSDHU may have about Food
Charters now or during the charter development process. Interviews were held in late November and
early December, 2013. Detailed notes from these conversa ons are included in the appendix.
Lauren Baker, PhD
Coordinator of the
Toronto Food Policy
Council
416-338-8154
lbaker2@toronto.ca
Lauren Baker is the Food Policy Coordinator at
the City of Toronto's Food Policy Council, and
works with Toronto Public Health's Food Strategy
Team. Previously, she was the founding director
of Sustain Ontario. She con nues to be involved
with Sustain Ontario as a Steering Commi ee
member. Her past work includes developing the
Toronto Evergreen Brick Works food strategy,
and founding FoodShare’s Urban Agriculture
program. Lauren is the Vice-Chair of Food Secure
Canada, and is on the Board of Directors of
Everdale Environmental Learning Centre. She has
also been involved in the development of food
charters for Kawartha Lakes and Simcoe County.
Lauren has indicated that she may be able to
deliver a presenta on or facilitate a workshop for
NBPSDHU within the mandate of her current
posi on.
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Michele Legere
Coordinator,
Food Ma ers
Windsor Essex County
519-258-3033 ext. 1148
foodma erswindsoressex
@gmail.com
Candice Einstoss
905-895-4512 ext. 4333
candice.einstoss@york.ca
Registered Die an Public Health Nutri onist,
York Region Community
and Health Services
Department
Rod MacRae, PhD
Faculty of Environmental
Studies, York University
416-736-2100 ext. 22116
rmacrae@yorku.ca
Wayne Roberts, PhD
Food policy speaker,
writer and consultant
416-694-7605
wrobertsfood@gmail.com
Website:
www.wayneroberts.ca
Carolyn Young
Program Manager, Sustain
Ontario
&
Kat Rendek
Municipal Regional Food
Policy Intern, Sustain
Ontario
647-839-4030
carolyn@sustainontario.ca
municipalpolicy@sustain
ontario.ca
Michele is the coordinator of Food Ma ers
Windsor Essex County, which is funded by the
Ontario Trillium Founda on and is helping drive
the crea on of a food charter for the Windsor
Essex region.
Candice is a nutri onist with York Region Public
Health, which is a core member of the York
Region Food Council Working Group.
The
working group has been partnering with
communi es across the region since September
2011 to dra the York Region Food Charter.
Rod is a food policy analyst focusing on programs
and policies to support the transi on to healthpromo ng and sustainable food and agriculture
systems. He worked on the Declara on on Food
and Nutri on, the precursor to the Toronto Food
Charter. He teaches at York University and
Ryerson University and his research focuses on
crea ng a na onal food agriculture policy for
Canada.
Wayne
Roberts
speaks
and
consults
interna onally on subjects related to food and
ci es, food policy councils, food and seniors, and
the benefits of local and sustainable food
systems. Wayne was manager of the Toronto
Food Policy Council for 10 years, overseeing the
crea on and adop on of the Toronto Food
Charter.
Among many other roles, Wayne
currently serves on the advisory commi ee for
Sustain Ontario and is a board member for
FoodShare Toronto. He is a respected speaker
and writer on food policy issues. He has signaled
interest in delivering a workshop on food charters
to NBPSDHU on a consultant basis.
Carolyn is a Program Manager at Sustain Ontario,
a province-wide, cross-sectoral alliance that
promotes healthy food and farming.
Website:
sustainontario.com
In addi on to the key informants above, the following individuals were contacted for an interview:
-
Kate Vsetula, Founding Coordinator of the Guelph Wellington Food Round Table and Team Lead at
Guelph Community Health Centre
Cheryl Smith, City of London
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Although a me could not be found to conduct interviews with these individuals before the submission
of this report, they can s ll be reached if there is a request for addi onal follow-up.
WHAT IS A FOOD CHARTER?
A Food Charter is a value, vision, or principle statement
and/or a series of goals developed by a city, town or region
that has a broad base of support and describes what a
community wants their food system to look like. It is a
“reference document” for municipal decision makers. A
Food Charter raises awareness and educa on about food
issues and forms a basis for ac on. A regional Food Charter
can provide a pla orm for connec ng exis ng projects across
local municipali es.
Food charters help communi es define
what their food system should look like.
They are declara ons of communi es’
intent, and express key values and
priori es for crea ng just and
sustainable food supplies. Food policies
typically focus on mee ng charter goals
with land-use planning, urban
agriculture, emergency food distribu on,
food retail access, community health,
waste management and economic
development.
Wri ng a Food Charter is a collabora ve effort involving
many stakeholders. The vision statements of separate
charters o en share similar ideas including advoca ng for
A Seat at The Table: A Resource Guide for
Local Governments to Promote Food Secure
nutri ous and affordable food for all residents, recognizing
Communi es (p. 23).
the need for food security, acknowledging that food and food
produc on is a key part of a community’s economic
development, and o en simply a unified and cohesive celebra on of food, cultures, and community.1
These charters are being cra ed in ci es, towns and regions across Canada and many are being
adopted or endorsed by municipal governments. Food Charters are mostly a Canadian phenomenon,
but there are charter ini a ves emerging in the United States and elsewhere (see examples in the next
sec on and in the appendix).
Food Charters do not usually contain prescrip ve policy
statements and are not binding in any fashion. Indeed, Wayne
Roberts, a recognized food policy expert and a key informant
for this paper, stressed that Food Charters should be “purely
aspira onal.”
They should not be considered policy
instruments and should be “non-jus ciable.” Rather, Food
Charters are intended to offer decision-makers, community
groups or individuals an overall guide for shaping food-related
policy and projects. If endorsed, a Food Charter becomes a
public document and can formalize a municipality’s vision for
their food system, ac ng as a guide for policy makers.
Regional Food Charters
A regional food charter can highlight
collec ve goals of the municipali es
within a region, which can lead to
regional collabora on in iden fying
strategies to address the issues
regarding local food produc on.
Best Prac ces in Local Food: A Guide for
Municipali es (p. 39).
1
Andrew Coppolino, “A ‘Food Charter’ for Waterloo Region”.
h p://www.rarerepublic.com/features/a-food-charter-for-waterloo-region-2.html
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North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
EXAMPLES OF FOOD CHARTERS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES
The table below presents a list of Food Charters that have been developed or are in progress in
communi es across Canada and around the world. A number of these charters are included in the
appendix for reference.
Toronto Food Charter (2000)
www.jus ood.ca/foodforall/documents/Toronto.pdf
Saskatoon Food Charter (2002)
www.saskatooncommunityclinic.ca/pdf/Saskatoon_Food_Charter
.pdf
City of Greater Sudbury Food
Charter (2004)
www.foodshedproject.ca/pdf/food%20connec ons%20food%20c
harter.pdf
Vancouver Food Charter (2007)
vancouver.ca/files/cov/Van_Food_Charter.pdf
Thunder Bay Food Charter (2008)
www.ecosuperior.org/upload/documents/food_charter_sm.pdf
Durham Region Food Charter
(2009)
www.cdcd.org/cms_lib/Durham%20Region%20Food%20Charter
%2005%2028%2009%20final.pdf
The Cowichan (Vancouver Island)
Food Charter (2009)
www.cowichangreencommunity.org/sites/default/files/projects/
CowichanFoodCharter.pdf
London’s Food Charter (2010)
foodnetontario.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/LondonsFood-Charter-Booklet-Style.pdf
Halton Food Charter (2010)
www.haltonfoodcouncil.ca/docs/Halton_Food_Charterfinal_Lynn_%20Roblin_2013-05-15.pdf
Kaslo (BC) Food Charter (2011)
nklcss.org/foodcharter.pdf
Guelph-Wellington Food Charter
(2011)
www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca/files/www/guelph_wellingto
n_food_charter.pdf
Kawartha Lakes Food Charter
(2011)
www.advantagekawarthalakes.ca/en/aboutUs/resources/Kawart
haLakesFoodCharterBrochure.pdf
Sarnia-Lambton Food Charter
(2011)
www.sarnialambtonfoodcharter.com/resources/Food-Charter2011.pdf
Simcoe County Food and
Agriculture Charter (2012)
fpa.simcoe.ca/Shared%20Documents/PDF_Charter_Printable.pdf
Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox
& Addington Food Charter (2012)
kflahealthycommuni espartnership.com/KFLAFoodCharterBWNov8-2012.pdf
Hamilton Food Charter (2012)
hamiltonfoodcharter.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/food-forall.pdf
Elgin St. Thomas Food Charter
(2012)
www.savourelgin.ca/SavourElgin/Page/Files/374_Elgin%20Food%
20Charter.pdf
Bristol (UK) Good Food Charter
(2012)
bristolgoodfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/The-Bristolgood-food-charter.pdf
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Region of Waterloo Food Charter
(2013)
www.wrfoodsystem.ca/files/www/Waterloo_Region_Food_Chart
er_final_Apr8.pdf
Revelstoke (BC) Food Resilience
Charter (North Columbia
Environmental Society) (in
progress)
northcolumbia.org/th_gallery/food-resilience-charter/
York Region Food Charter (in
progress)
www.yorkregionfoodcharter.com
Muskoka Food and Agriculture
Charter (in progress)
www.savourmuskoka.com/food-charter
Northumberland County Food
Charter (in progress)
www.northumberlandfoodcharter.ca
Leeds, Grenville, Lanark Food
Charter (in progress)
www.foodcorelgl.ca/facts.html
Minnesota (USA) Food Charter (in
progress)
mnfoodcharter.com
City of Nanaimo (BC) Food Charter
(in progress)
www.nanaimo.ca/EN/main/departments/CommunityPlanning/food-strategy.html
Squamish (BC) Food Charter
(Squamish Climate Ac on
Network) (in progress)
squamishcan.net/projects/celebra on-sta on/squamish-foodcharter/
North Shore (Vancouver) Food
Charter (in progress)
www.tablema ers.ca/1/post/2012/11/north-shore-food-charterdra -process.html
Oxford County Food Charter (in
progress)
www.foodsecureoxford.ca/FoodCharter.aspx
Windsor Essex Food Charter (in
progress)
No web link
Shuswap (BC) Good Food Charter
(date unknown)
shuswapfood.ca/pdf/food_charter.pdf
Medicine Hat (Alberta) Food
Charter (date unknown)
www.foodconnec ons.ca/charter
Jefferson County (USA) Food
Charter (Birmingham-Jefferson
Food Policy Council) (date
unknown)
www.bhamfpc.org/our-food-charter
West Virginia (USA) Road Map for
the Food Economy (statewide
Food Charter) (date unknown)
www.wvhub.org/sites/default/files/Road%20Map%20for%20the
%20Food%20Economy.pdf
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
WHAT GOES IN A FOOD CHARTER?
Reviewing a number of the Food Charters listed in the table above, similar components emerge. The
text of these charters o en contain a background or ra onale (how or why the Food Charter was
created and the organiza on driving this crea on), vision statements (overall direc on for the food
system), key principles, and goals. Some Food Charters also include a declara on statement or pledge,
which organiza ons or individuals can sign to indicate support.
There are many themes or principles that Food Charters can address, although these can vary from
Charter to Charter. What themes are represented in a community’s Food Charter will depend largely
on community and stakeholder input during the Charter development process. This process is a
collabora ve one and should result in an aspira onal document represen ng a community’s vision for
their food system. Generally, a Food Charter should not be framed too narrowly, as it should
communicate this wider vision. However, the Charter can s ll ar culate priori es. Some of the areas
that may be addressed include:
-
Environmental sustainability and environmental management
Food produc on and agriculture
Health and nutri on
Food security
Land use planning
Local food systems
Food access and distribu on
Emergency food distribu on/preparedness
Food safety
Community economic development
Sustainable economic development
Consump on
Waste management
Advocacy and educa on
Culture
Social jus ce, social equity
Celebra on of food
Food skills development
Educa on and awareness
Urban agriculture
WHY A FOOD CHARTER?
Communi es across Ontario face numerous challenges related to their food systems. The Waterloo
Region Food Systems Roundtable summarizes some of these challenges that are common to many
jurisdic ons:
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Our current Waterloo Region food system has its challenges. Not all ci zens have access to adequate
nutri ous food, many people are unaware of where their food comes from or how to grow it or how to
prepare it, not all of the informa on about food is complete or accurate, and regional obesity rates are
higher than the provincial average.
Challenges are also present in food produc on. Local farming is not always profitable and foods must be
processed outside of the region as adequate processing facili es do not exist locally. This calls into
ques on the long-term viability of our agricultural sector as more and more young people are moving
away from the family farm. Environmental challenges also exist in our current food system. Greenhouse
gas produc on and energy usage are higher than necessary as much of the food we consume travels
from thousands of miles away even though it can be produced locally. In addi on, local farmland can
some mes be a source of water contamina on from agricultural run-off, although by employing various
techniques it can also be a means of protec ng the watershed and wildlife habitat.
Waterloo Region Food Systems Round Table Food Charter Backgrounder.
Although many local governments and community organiza ons are working to address challenges
such as these in the current food system, their efforts are o en disconnected. As the Waterloo
Backgrounder states, a Food Charter can “serve to connect exis ng efforts, guide emerging efforts and
create a star ng point for dialogue between groups.”
Food Charters are primarily meant to serve as the basis for programming and food-related policy
development. Other poten al uses for Food Charters include:
-
Inform future guidance in municipal strategic planning
Create accountability within the government that endorses the document
Offer a “tool in the toolkit” to be u lized by ci zens and community organiza ons to encourage
discussion about food systems or provide a context for community ac on
Encourage civic engagement that supports a secure and sustainable food system
Promote understanding of food security
Increase awareness of food systems
Offer a “reference point” for the community’s vision of their food system
The primary role of a Food Charter is to act as a guide to foster the development of municipal food
related planning, policy, and program development that can encourage a healthy food system.
An Assessment of Canadian Food Charters (p. 6).
In addi on to a number of poten al uses, Food Charters, and the Charter development process itself,
can offer a range of community benefits. For instance, some key informants characterized Food
Charter development as a good first step in convening stakeholders and sparking community
conversa on about food systems issues. The process can serve as a posi ve educa onal experience for
a community learning about food systems. It can help to bring diverse stakeholders around the table,
from rural and urban environments. This leads to produc ve informa on sharing and the chance to
recognize commonali es through the common lens of food. Food Charters also encourage “systems
thinking”, providing the community with a vision for the food system in its en rety.
Once developed, Food Charters can provide a basis for advocacy on improving access to healthy food
and empowering community organizers on the ground. They ac vate civic engagement and facilitate
collabora on around food issues, ul mately catalyzing ac on by informing projects that can benefit
local economies and the environment or suppor ng fundraising efforts. Although the limita ons of
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Food Charters must be recognized, they can ul mately serve as a catalyst for subsequent policy and
program development. Food Charters can lead to improvements in the economy of a region by
encouraging greater reliance on local food. Ac on on the principles of a Food Charter might also
improve health or environmental outcomes.
A food charter plays an important role in guiding the local food strategy, as it creates a unified vision for
the various government departments, increases the presence of food policy across the municipality,
facilitates collabora on between departments as well as community members, and helps solidify
municipal commitments to local food system development.
Best Prac ces in Local Food: A Guide for Municipali es (p. 17).
By way of example, Northumberland County and Sustain Ontario produced a video that highlights
community members’ thoughts on celebra ng food, environmental integrity, the importance of
farmers and food literacy, and the posi ve economic impact of local food. It provides a good overview
of the reasons behind the crea on of the county’s Food Charter, which is intended to help guide future
decisions about local food. The video features a number of perspec ves from across the food system
along with the county’s Food Charter Working Group, which developed the Food Charter.
Screenshot from the Growing Good Food Ideas: Northumberland’s Developing Food Charter. See: vimeo.com/62119778
THE FOOD CHARTER DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
The process for developing a Food Charter, from ini a on to launch, is not standard. However, there
are a number of common characteris cs in most charter development processes. For instance, Food
Charters are most o en developed a er extensive community consulta on in order to be er reflect
the values, principles and opinions of a place regarding their food system. The most common steps in
the process of developing a Food Charter are iden fied below:2
2
Adapted from An Assessment of Canadian Food Charters (p. 22).
h p://kflahealthycommuni espartnership.com/An_Assessment_of_Canadian_Food_Charters.pdf
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
1.
Ini ate
2.
Plan
3.
4.
Visioning
Dra
5.
Revise
6.
Endorsement
7.
Launch
Ini ate interest in the community for a Food Charter through educa on and raising
awareness.
Begin planning the development of a Food Charter. Seek input on content from the
municipality, stakeholders, and the community. A public consulta on process should be
developed to gather data from all segments of the popula on and representa on across
the food system.
Hold a Visioning Day to determine the purpose and principles of the Food Charter.
Develop a first dra of the Food Charter using input from all sources in order to portray
the community’s vision for their food system.
Request feedback on the first dra of the Food Charter from the municipality,
stakeholders, and community. Con nue this process un l a document is developed that
all par es approve.
Complete a final dra of the Food Charter and seek endorsement from municipali es
through proper procedures.
If successfully endorsed, launch the Food Charter for use in the public. Distribute and
adver se the Food Charter. Con nue educa on in the community as you work towards
developing a Food Council, food system strategy, or any other related ac on plan for
implementa on.
It is cri cal for the municipal council to
Official endorsement can be a challenge, although some
adopt the food charter, in order for the
consider this step essen al for the document’s success.
key values outlined in the food charter to
Endorsement
requires
buy-in
from
municipal
be acknowledged by government
representa ves, which o en involves providing evidence
departments and policies to be aligned
of general support among stakeholders and the
accordingly.
community at large. In order to achieve this, Food Charter
Best Prac ces in Local Food: A Guide for
organizers can hold a public forum for municipal officials,
Municipali es (p. 17).
stakeholders, and community members where the Food
Charter’s development is discussed and there is an
opportunity to provide feedback on the dra . The Food Charter and suppor ng literature can be
distributed to municipal officials to improve awareness. Distribu on can happen through the Food
Charter working group’s website, at public events, adver sements in the local newspapers, social
media campaigns, or the development of brochures adver sing the charter.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN FOOD CHARTER DEVELOPMENT?
A diverse group of community members and stakeholders from across the food system can be involved
in Food Charter development. Indeed, all key informants indicated the necessity in ge ng a diverse
group “around the table” to ensure a broad base of support down the line. Typically, the process is led
by food policy councils or roundtables, community organiza ons, municipal departments, or public
health units. Some individuals and groups that can be involved in the mul -stakeholder process
include:
-
Community members and community groups
Municipal staff and councilors
Health professionals
Producers, agricultural organiza ons
Processors
Distributers
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Food Charter – Discussion Paper
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
-
Emergency food providers
Businesses in the food system
Ins tu onal food
Food security groups
Social jus ce groups
Academics
Other representa ves of specific popula ons of the community, such as youth or First Na ons
CHALLENGES
Major challenges associated with the development of Food Charters iden fied in the research and by
key informants include:
-
Time and resources
Lack of designated resources to support the process of development
Working Group dynamics, needing a good facilitator/leader
Maintaining interest in the project
Collabora ng with members of different sectors of the food system
Lack of producer representa on
Low commitment of the Working Group
Encompassing all perspec ves in the Food Charter
Gaining endorsement of the Food Charter from municipal government
Lack of awareness at the municipal staff and councilor level of the Food Charter or food systems
issues in general
Ge ng community input
Lack of awareness in the general community about the Food Charter or food systems issues
BEYOND FOOD CHARTERS
Food Charters can be accompanied by an in-depth report and an ac on plan to guide the
implementa on of the vision outlined in the Charter. An example of an accompanying ac on plan is
the Your Guelph-Wellington Food Charter Toolkit.3
In O awa, rather than the development of a Food Charter, the Food For All project undertook the
development of the O awa Food Ac on Plan. Food for All was a collabora ve, community-based food
research and ac on project based in O awa that happened between 2009 and 2013. It was led by Just
Food (www.jus ood.ca) and the University of O awa. This process went a step further than Food
Charter development with the crea on of “Ac on Plan Proposals”, a set of values based, ac onoriented proposals that were immediately implementable.
The resul ng Food Ac on Plan proposals document food needs in the community, examine ways of
strengthening the ac vi es that already exist, and propose ac ons that can be taken as a community
to make the food system more just and sustainable. The en re 125-page Food Ac on Plan can be
found here: www.jus ood.ca/o awafoodac onplan.php. It includes community solu ons to food
3
h p://www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca/files/www/Guelph_Wellington_Food_Roundtable/GWFRT_Toolkit_FINAL.pdf
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issues and concerns such as healthy school food environments, planning and zoning to improve access
to healthy food and local food, community gardening, transporta on and access to food, and income
and the cost of healthy ea ng. The Food Ac on Plan is intended to inform city-wide policies in O awa
at the levels of the municipality, school boards, businesses, and organiza ons, though the O awa Food
Policy Council.
RESOURCES
Below are a number of helpful resources that contain guidance on Food Charters, many of which
provided the basis for this report and are cited throughout.
Models and Best Prac ces for Building Sustainable Food Systems in Ontario and Beyond
www.uoguelph.ca/omafra_partnership/k /en/agrifoodrurallink/resources/MBPFullReportFINAL.pdf
Best Prac ces in Local Food: A Guide for Municipali es
www.amo.on.ca/AMO-PDFs/Reports/2013/2013BestPrac cesinLocalFoodAGuideforMunicipali e.aspx
An Assessment of Canadian Food Charters: Highlights and Recommenda ons for the KFL&A Healthy
Ea ng Working Group
kflahealthycommuni espartnership.com/An_Assessment_of_Canadian_Food_Charters.pdf
Community Food Assessment Guide
www.healbc.ca/files/Community_food_assessment_guide_final_(2).pdf
A Seat at The Table: Resource guide for local governments to promote food secure communi es
h p://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/poi/pdf/itpoirp oodsecurity.pdf
Waterloo Region Rood Systems Round Table Food Charter Backgrounder
www.wrfoodsystem.ca/files/www/Waterloo_Region_Food_Charter_Backgrounder.pdf
Models and Best Prac ces for Building Sustainable Food Systems in Ontario and Beyond
nourishingontario.ca/models-and-best-prac ces/
11
Appendix B:
Food Charter Examples
0
Food and Hunger Committee Phase II Report, December 2000
Toronto’s Food Charter
In 1976, Canada signed the United Nations Covenant on Social, Economic
and Cultural Rights, which includes “the fundamental right of everyone to
be free from hunger.” The City of Toronto supports our national commitment
to food security, and the following beliefs:
Every Toronto resident should have access to an adequate supply of
nutritious, affordable and culturally-appropriate food.
Food security contributes to the health and well-being of residents while
reducing their need for medical care.
Food is central to Toronto’s economy, and the commitment to food
security can strengthen the food sector’s growth and development.
Food brings people together in celebrations of community and diversity
and is an important part of the city’s culture.
Therefore, to promote food security, Toronto City Council will:
a champion the right of all residents to
adequate amounts of safe, nutritious,
culturally-acceptable food without the need
to resort to emergency food providers
a advocate for income, employment, housing,
and transportation policies that support
secure and dignified access to the food
people need
a support events highlighting the city’s
diverse and multicultural food traditions
a promote food safety programs and services
a sponsor nutrition programs and services
that promote healthy growth and help
prevent diet-related diseases
a ensure convenient access to an affordable
range of healthy foods in city facilities
a adopt food purchasing practices that
serve as a model of health, social and
environmental responsibility
a partner with community, cooperative,
business and government organizations
to increase the availability of healthy foods
a encourage community gardens that
increase food self-reliance, improve fitness,
contribute to a cleaner environment, and
enhance community development
a protect local agricultural lands and support
urban agriculture
a encourage the recycling of organic
materials that nurture soil fertility
a foster a civic culture that inspires all
Toronto residents and all city
departments to support food programs
that provide cultural, social, economic
and health benefits
a work with community agencies, residents’
groups, businesses and other levels of
government to achieve these goals.
0
2
Food and Hunger Committee Phase II Report, December 2000
Towards a food-secure city
Canada’s National Action Plan for Food
Security states that “Food security exists when
all people, at all times, have physical and
economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food
1
preferences for an active and healthy life.”
In May 2000, Toronto City Council voted
unanimously to become a food-secure city that
would strive to ensure:
a the availability of a variety of foods at a
reasonable cost
a ready access to quality grocery stores,
food service operations, or alternative
food sources
a sufficient personal income to buy
adequate foods for each household
member each day
a the freedom to choose personally- and
culturally-acceptable foods
a legitimate confidence in the quality of
the foods available
a easy access to understandable, accurate
information about food and nutrition
a the assurance of a viable and sustainable
food production system.
Ten reasons why
Toronto supports food security
Food is a need all people share. So is the
need for food security. Food security is not
someone else’s problem. Nor is it a problem
that can be safely ignored by anyone or any
government. If our city depends on imports for
basic staples, we have a food security problem.
If foods aren’t labelled accurately so people
know exactly what’s in them, we have a food
security problem. If foods aren’t properly
1
0
inspected, we have a food security problem. If
topsoil erodes and water tables are polluted,
future food security is threatened. If healthy
foods aren’t affordable, we’re all just one layoff,
one divorce, one major accident or illness away
from food insecurity.
Food security, however, is not just a set of
problems. It creates opportunities.There are at
least ten good reasons why investments in food
security are among the smartest ethical investments a city can make, and why Toronto is starting
to make those investments now.
1. Food security means no-one
in the city goes to bed hungry.
Toronto tries to be a city where
everyone belongs, feels part of a larger
community and has an opportunity to
contribute. It does not want to be a city
torn between haves and have-nots.The
decision to make Toronto a food-secure city
acknowledges that each of us is affected by
the well-being of others. International
studies show that people from all income
groups are healthier when people from
2
low-income groups are also healthy.
Some people see this commitment as a
matter of conscience and respect for
human rights. Some see it as enlightened
self-interest and respect for the conditions
that create a safe and liveable city. Either
way, food security is essential to an open,
peaceable and civil city Torontonians can
take pride in.
2. Food security makes
the city more affordable.
Toronto is one of the few world cities in
which people from all walks of life can still
afford to set up home and raise families. But
Canada’s Action Plan for Food Security:A Response to the World Food Summit, 1998.
For example, the poorest people in Sweden are healthier, on average, than the richest people in England. See Dennis Raphael,
“Public Health Responses to Health Inequalities,” Canadian Journal of Public Health, November-December 1998, page 89; R.G.
Wilkinson, Unhealthy Societies: The Afflictions of Inequality (New York: Routledge, 1996); D.Vagero et al.,“Health Inequalities in
Britain and Sweden,” The Lancet, 1989, no. 2, pages 35-36; D. Loon et al.,“Social Class Differences in Infant Mortality in Sweden:A
Comparison with England and Wales,” British Medical Journal, 1992, vol., 305, pages 687-91.
2
0
Food and Hunger Committee Phase II Report, December 2000
it’s an expensive place to live. During the
1990s, despite the boom in some economic
sectors, the number of Toronto families living
in poverty increased, both absolutely and
relatively. Food banks, created as a short-term
stopgap during the 1980s, became permanent
fixtures in the city.
Measures that enable people to buy and
prepare healthy but inexpensive food, or to
grow some of their own food, help make the
city more affordable to everyone.
3. Food security means
every child gets a head start.
Kids need a nourishing breakfast and a
good lunch to get the most from their
school day. Research proves that child
nutrition and learning are closely linked,
and that childhood nutritional shortcomings can last a lifetime.That’s why school
nutrition programs are well established
across Europe and the United States.
Canada is the only western industrialized
country that does not have a national child
nutrition program. But Toronto gives 65,000
children a head start on their day and their
life with school breakfast, snack and lunch
programs supported by the city, province,
volunteers and local businesses.
4. Food security
saves on medical care.
A healthy diet is the most cost-effective
form of health care available. Heart disease,
strokes, diabetes and cancer, all of which are
related to diet, cost Toronto $491 million a
year in medical bills and lost productivity.
Many worry that a public and universal
health care system cannot sustain the burden
of expensive treatments of preventable diseases.To protect Canada’s health care system,
especially as the population ages and chronic
diseases peak, nutrition needs to be treated
as a first line of defence.
3
3
5. Food security
means more local jobs.
Unlike people in many world cities,
Torontonians rely almost entirely on food
trucked from thousands of kilometres
away.That means Toronto’s food dollars
travel thousands of kilometres to create
jobs elsewhere.
It doesn’t have to be that way, especially
in a region that has the best farmland in
Canada. As recently as 1960, most of
Toronto’s food came from within 350
kilometres of the city limits. If even 1.5 % of
Toronto’s surface area were made available
to market gardeners and greenhouse
operators, we could create a $16 million a
year industry growing 10% of our city’s fresh
vegetables. A combination of vacant, underused land and flat empty roofs makes that
goal achievable.
6. Food security
is environmentally friendly.
The more we rely on the Greater Toronto
Area for food, the more we will enjoy fresh
air and clean water.
Since plants store carbon dioxide and
release oxygen, gardens improve air quality.
Local growers also reduce the need to bring
in food by truck.Trucks burn 10 times more
energy in transit than is in the food itself.
Growing 10% of our vegetables in the city
would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by
37.9 kilotonnes a year, help meet Toronto’s
commitments to reduce global warming,
and avoid more than $5 million in environ3
mental costs.
Plants also absorb rain, and keep rainwater
out of the sewage system, where it’s difficult
and costly to treat. Rooftop gardens collect
rainfall, and lower a building’s heating and
cooling needs. Putting gardens on top of
20% of the city-owned buildings in Toronto
Calculations provided by Rod MacRae, Ph.D., food policy advisor, at the request of the Toronto Food and Hunger Action Committee.
4
Food and Hunger Committee Phase II Report, December 2000
would add 16 hectares of green space to the
city, providing food, oxygen and better
stormwater control.
7. Food security
reduces traffic pollution.
Unlike many U.S. cities,Toronto boasts
quality food stores within easy reach of most
people.That’s an amenity worth protecting.
The trend in food retail is to larger stores
surrounded by huge parking lots, usually
away from populated areas.As a result, people
without cars are at a disadvantage, while
shoppers with cars add to traffic jams and
pollution. In a food-secure Toronto, people
will live within walking distance of a food
store and have the opportunity to exercise
when they do their shopping errands.
8. Food security is good business.
Food processing, the city’s largest
industry sector, employs 40,000 workers.
More than 120,000 people have food-related
jobs, in restaurants, shops or marketing. Job
security in these businesses depends on
4
customers with food security.
Toronto could create even more jobs by
supplying more of its own food needs. It has
a diverse and cosmopolitan populace that
isn’t always served by mass market products.
Some people require halal or kosher meats.
Vegetarians, vegans and people with food
sensitivities and allergies all have special
needs.These people support small, community-based processors who specialize in
filling their special needs.These small
companies create food security for their
employees and customers.
9. Food security
means waste not, want not.
A typical family of four generates a tonne
of food and packaging waste a year. Most of
it is carted away to landfill sites, at about $60
0
a tonne.What we waste could be turned
into any number of resources, including
methane for clean fuel, livestock feed, or
compost to enrich gardens. A city that is
food-secure knows the difference between
waste and the feedstock for another business or project.
Toronto has many resources waiting to
be used.There is idle land that could be
made into gardens, and greenhouses that
lie empty for part of the year.Those gardens
could use recycled water and rain for irrigation.The greenhouses can use waste
heat coming from power plants and boilers.
Food security is about not throwing
opportunities away.
10. Food security is neighbourly.
People from all cultures build communities around food. Seder ceremonies,
Eid-al-Fitr festivities, Caribana picnics,
family dinners at Thanksgiving, wedding
feasts, anniversary banquets... most people
celebrate special events by breaking bread
with companions — the word companion
comes from the Latin for “with” and
“bread.” Community gardens also bring
people together in a project that beautifies
and enlivens a neighbourhood.
Some elderly or disabled residents rarely
enjoy eating with friends and neighbours,
but find it difficult to get around, and so
often eat alone. In a food-secure Toronto,
they will enjoy more opportunities to join
others for a meal.
Toronto is the name its original
inhabitants used for “meeting place.” Food
honours that tradition, and helps keep
Toronto a place where people of many
cultures and values enrich the city with
their distinctive variations on our common
human needs.
4
Kyle Benham,“An Economic Development Strategy for the Toronto Food Sector,” City of Toronto, May 1998.
Sudbury Food Connections Network
FOOD CHARTER
Our Vision: Zero Hunger;
Healthy Food Sources;
Local Food Resources;
and A Sustainable Environment
Given that access to safe, affordable, nutritious food is a basic human right of individuals and
communities, and connects us to our families, our cultures, and our traditions;
And that community food security is a comprehensive approach that includes all members
of the food system, from producers to consumers, and promotes regional food self-reliance;
And that having a food secure community is the foundation of population health, social
justice, community-based economic development and a sustainable environment;
Therefore, the Sudbury Food Connections Network, including The City of Greater Sudbury,
The Social Planning Council of Sudbury, and the Sudbury & District Health Unit, will work
towards the development and implementation of a community food security mandate that
supports research, policies and programs that will endorse:
1) Population Health and Wellness
Individual and household food security as a determinant of health;
Adequate income, employment, housing, and transportation policies that ensure food accessibility
and availability to all citizens; and
Nutritional education and healthy food choices in schools, businesses and public places.
2) Community Development
An annual community food security report card;
Food self-reliance through community-based food programs, such as community gardens, fresh
food box programs and collective kitchens;
Multi-cultural food festivals and cultural events;
A community emergency food preparedness plan; and
The involvement of the community in developing food security solutions.
3) Investment in the Local Food System
A regionally-based and community-driven food system;
The viability of agricultural and rural communities;
The development of regional value-added agricultural production, food processing
and distribution systems; and
The promotion of regional food products at farmer’s markets, farm-gate sales,
and local food outlets.
4) The Development of a Sustainable Food System
Public and institutional education on the interdependence between the food system and a sustainable environment;
Scientifically proven best management agricultural practices and regional crop varieties;
The reduction of persistent toxic chemicals that can accumulate within the food chain;
The development and implementation of renewable technologies in the expansion of the regional food system;
Sustainable waste management practices; and
Support for initiatives that educate on the loss of bio-diversity, resource depletion, and climate change, and that
raise the awareness of global environmental issues.
Adopted by the City of Greater Sudbury the Sudbury & District Board of Health in 2004
Thunder Bay Food Charter
Given that the Government of Canada has formally endorsed the right of every individual to have food security, which
means that everyone has access to enough safe and nutritious food to stay healthy and have energy for daily life;
And that governments at all levels have recognized the need for food systems planning, and the need to establish
principles to govern decisions regarding food production, distribution, access, consumption and waste management;
And that Community Food Security is a comprehensive approach that integrates all components of the food system,
from producers to consumers, which emphasizes the health of both the environment and local economies and promotes
regional food self-reliance;
And that a sustainable local food system promotes social justice, population health, and reflects and sustains local culture
and environment;
Therefore, the City of Thunder Bay endorses the following principles as the foundation of a comprehensive food security
framework for research, planning and policy and program development:
Build Community Economic Development
Celebrate Culture and Collaboration
• Prioritize production, preparation, storage, distribution and consumption of local food as an integral part of the Thunder Bay economy.
• Acknowledge that food represents our diverse cultures
and sharing traditions is a key strategy for community
connection and collaboration.
• Develop collaborative urban and rural food security
initiatives to sustain local agriculture and rural
communities.
• Protect and encourage access to wild foods obtained
by fishing, hunting and gathering as they are an
important part of northern culture.
• Support a regionally-based food system to enhance food security and self-reliance.
• Support efforts to raise awareness and promote
respect for traditional and cultural food history and diversity.
Ensure Social Justice
• Recognize that food is a basic right, not a commodity.
• Design or amend income, education, employment, housing and transportation policies to facilitate access to nutritious, affordable and safe food in a healthy and dignified way.
Foster Population Health
• Recognize in public policy that a healthy diet
contributes to the physical, mental, spiritual and
emotional well-being of all residents.
• Provide access to information and skills development
regarding nutrition in order to improve individual food
security.
• Incorporate basic elements of food security into
strategies to reduce and treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
• Incorporate food security, the provision and the
distribution of food, into local emergency planning.
Mayor Lynn Peterson
City of Thunder Bay
In accordance with City Council Resolution
Preserve Environmental Integrity
• Encourage regional and local food self-reliance in
order to reduce the use of fossil fuels and build
sustainable communities.
• Encourage food production methods that sustain or
enhance natural environments and biological
diversity, and that make effective and sustainable use of local resources.
• Preserve and maintain local waters and agricultural lands and designate land and support for urban and community-based agriculture.
• Preserve and sustain Boreal forests and watersheds
in order to maintain local traditions of hunting, fishing and gathering.
• Introduce environmentally sound methods of food
waste management such as composting and
reclamation programs.
• Recognize that access to a safe and sustainable
water supply is an integral part of the food system.
Durham Region
May 28, 2009, revision 1, approved
Food Charter
“Planning Food Into Our Future”
The Durham Region Food Charter reflects the community’s vision for a food secure
Durham Region focused toward building a just and sustainable local food system as a
foundation for population health.
Based on community participation a sustainable local food system will improve the
economic viability of Durham Region’s food industry, work in harmony with natural
heritage systems as well as the built environment, and promote overall health.
“Food Security: means a situation in which all community residents are able to obtain a
safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system
that maximizes community self-reliance and social justice, and the ability of the
agricultural community to support this system.”
(Growing Durham Regional Official Plan Amendment No. 128 (2009))
A food secure Durham Region is financially sound, environmentally responsible and
socially just, contributing to the future well being of our region and its residents.
Essential Foundations To Build Upon
A just and sustainable local food system will be resilient when supported by comprehensive
and integrated mechanisms. These will incorporate physical elements with sound economic,
environmental, social, and political policies to ensure a secure food supply.
• Establish a citizen based advisory committee which
would oversee the principles of the Food Charter with
quantifiable benchmarks and set goals.
• Promote the development of a local food system
that supports local agricultural production.
• Encourage establishment of institutional, industrial
and commercial local food procurement policies.
• Influence sustainable resource management through
water conservation, protection of natural heritage
systems, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
responsible waste management and protect
agricultural land for production by minimizing
encroachment through responsive land-use planning.
• Identify potential impacts to farmers and food
production attributing from climate change and
include in mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• Develop Durham’s local food economy as a key
economic driver for the Region.
• Establish an educated consumer base that understands
and supports the local agricultural sector.
• Measure Regional Food Security annually to assess
effectiveness of multi-sector initiatives.
• Calculate the food needs for anticipated population
growth and establish a baseline to work towards
self-reliance in food security.
• Incorporate food security principles into key strategic
regional and local policy documents as an integral
part of creating sustainable and complete communities.
Sustaining Local Agriculture
Cultivation of a sustainable local agriculture will enhance Durham Region’s urban and rural
economic development, create employment, secure a regional food supply, encourage a culture
of environmental stewardship and conserve resources.
Build Capacity through Local Food Production
•
•
•
•
•
•
Protect agricultural lands for production.
Promote the agricultural industry as a viable career option.
Extend local education and training opportunities.
Develop local food processing capacity.
Encourage the diversification of the local agricultural sector.
Support networks that provide information about local food choices and availability.
Environmental Stewardship
• Acknowledge and promote sustainable urban and rural agricultural practices.
• Recognize the sustainable food system cycle from production to responsible waste resource management.
• Value the rural community’s role in providing environmental services to the general public.
• “Protect the long-term ecological function, connectivity and biodiversity of natural heritage systems”
(Provincial Policy Statement, 2005).
• Ensure the supply and the quality of water for local agriculture.
Facilitate Access to Locally Produced Food
• Produce foods locally to support regional self-reliance and food security.
• Ensure the availability of local foods within neighbourhoods.
(Examples: Community supported agriculture, Farm Gate, Farmer’s Markets, Retail and Wholesaling. Urban food
production in parks, residential and school yards, “green” building design including rooftop gardens, community
and market gardens...)
Community Partnership
A just and sustainable food system will be supported by a regional community where residents
are connected participants working in partnership with each other and with all levels of
government. It acknowledges the importance of its interconnection with other food systems.
• Nurture and improve communication between the community, food producers, and key stakeholders in developing
regional food system solutions.
• Engage the broader community in research and development of local initiatives that improve regional food security.
• Encourage community participation in the decision making process.
• Foster social cohesion by embracing cultural diversity and food traditions.
Health and Well Being
A just and sustainable food system will be equitable and respect human dignity. It is a system in
which all residents will have access to safe, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate food.
Accessibility and Social Equity
• Advocate for social equity
(Example; Sufficient social assistance and disability benefits, jobs at living wages, adequate transportation and
affordable housing to enable individuals and families to afford Durham’s Nutritious Food Basket)
• Support access to nourishing food to meet the lifelong nutritional needs of all Durham Region residents.
Education
• Develop educational tools to inform residents about the connections between health, nutrition, food choices and
disease prevention in homes, schools, and other institutions.
• Build food skills and food safety knowledge.
• Initiate social marketing to raise awareness and encourage consumers to purchase locally produced and processed
food.
• Support community food programs and planning that reduce the need to access emergency food resources.
• Encourage individual and communal self-reliance.
Culture of Food
• Enhance the dignity and joy of growing, preparing and eating food.
“Planning food into our future ensures healthier people and healthy communities”
London’s Food Charter
The London Food Charter emerged from the community’s shared priorities of eliminating poverty
and increasing healthy eating. This Charter establishes a vision of London as a food secure
community. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic
access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for
an active and healthy life (Declaration of the World Summit on Food Security, 2009).
This Charter will guide and inform all levels of government, businesses, non-profit organizations,
communities, families and individuals by linking sustainable food security policies to community
action.
VISION: London is a food secure community.
PREAMBLE
All Londoners have the right to enjoy optimal health
and to reach their full potential. However, an
increasing number of Londoners lack one of the key
components of health and well-being - food security.
Due to physical, economic, educational, and other
barriers, many are unable to obtain safe and
nutritious food essential for good health. In addition,
there are growing concerns about the sustainability of
our local food system and the impacts of the global
economy. By working towards a food secure
community, we can ensure the well-being of all
Londoners.
BACKGROUND
Through the leadership of London’s Child and Youth
Network, a group of experts, professionals, and advocates
came together in fall 2009 to discuss the issues Londoners
face related to food security. This conversation began the
development of a Food Charter.
The Child and Youth Network (CYN) is comprised of over
130 local organizations working together to improve
outcomes for children, youth and families. With the vision
of “Happy, healthy children and youth today; caring,
creative, responsible adults tomorrow” the CYN’s work is
focused on four priority areas:
-ending poverty
-increasing healthy eating and healthy physical activity
-making literacy a way of life
-creating a family-centred service system
“You struggle with everyday
life…getting your basic needs.
But it’s hard because I don’t
eat very often. I eat like
maybe once a day. I know we
can’t afford to get groceries
every week.” (26 year old
mother, London Ontario)
MISSION
The City of London and its people are committed to creating a food secure community where there
is:
1. A just and sustainable food system that contributes to the economic, ecological, and social
well-being of our city and region which balances local production and fair international
agricultural trade;
2. Sufficient personal income and resources to ensure safe, nutritious foods in adequate
amounts for everyone everyday;
3. Ready access to quality grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other food sources which
provide safe, nutritious and culturally-appropriate foods;
4. Opportunity for residents to become food literate; and,
5. Opportunity for residents to grow and sell food within the City.
“Londoners living in inner-city neighbourhoods of low
socioeconomic status have very poor levels of access to
supermarkets by foot; indeed, there are no supermarkets in
neighbourhoods that locals would associate with ‘downtown
living’” (Larsen and Gilliland, 2008).
VALUES
Health and Well-Being – all Londoners have opportunities
for optimal physical and mental health
Equity – There are sufficient resources to ensure dignified
access to food
Sustainability – There is a reliable, secure and ecologically
responsible food system
Collaboration and Partnership – Sharing responsibility and
working together will improve food security
Awareness – Education is vital to improving knowledge on food
security
Celebration – Communities come together in celebration of culture
and diversity of food
COMMITMENTS & ACTION STEPS
In order to support a healthy community, five key commitments were identified along with
specific action steps for each.
To implement the commitments, the London community will:
Establish an accountability structure responsible for overseeing the principles of the
Food Charter;
Encourage cross-sectoral collaboration and partnerships in developing food system
solutions; and,
Evaluate and assess activities on an ongoing basis.
Government, businesses, non-profit organizations,
communities, families and individuals all have a role to play
in improving food security.
Commitments
Action Steps
Assess existing food-related
policies, programs and services and
develop new ones as required.
Explore opportunities and advocate for the adoption of local food
procurement policies in public and private sectors.
Investigate and report on current food security policies and
practices that affect low-income Londoners.
Support and advocate for local, provincial and national food
strategies, to refine current policies which will ensure that all
government organizations incorporate the importance of safe
and nutritious food into their programs.
Develop strategies to eliminate food Monitor the extent of food deserts in London.
deserts in London.
Develop strategies to eliminate food deserts by engaging
residents and all sectors of the food system.
Educate Londoners on food deserts through an awareness
campaign.
Support the development of additional local farmers’ markets
and community gardens.
Support an ecological and
economically viable food system
which includes local farmers,
producers, businesses, and
consumers and is in balance with
global food systems.
Develop education and awareness
strategies to encourage all
members of the community to
expand and integrate nutritious
food options into daily activities.
Bring people together through food
in celebration of culture and
diversity.
Increase the urban/rural dialogue to inform strategies that
support local sustainable food production.
Develop strategies to ensure that the food system provides safe
and nutritious food.
Build on existing education and branding campaigns to increase
knowledge of nutritious food options.
Promote neighbourhood educational opportunities regarding
growing, meal planning, cooking, and preservation methods that
are targeted to youth, families, seniors, and other specific groups.
Encourage healthy habits in the workplace by promoting
incentive programs.
Encourage Londoners to include and/or increase culturally
diverse foods in all city-wide or neighbourhood events.
Develop tools to educate and celebrate the diversity of food.
Increase “culinary tourism” to promote healthy and diverse foods
in the community.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Culinary tourism
The promotion of a community’s unique food to residents and tourists by encouraging experiences
such as visiting local restaurants, grocery stores, specialty shops or attending events where farmers
showcase their produce.
“The pursuit of unique and memorable culinary experiences of all kinds”
(Source: International Culinary Tourism Association, www.culinarytourism.org).
Food literacy
Knowledge of food production, preparation, nutritional content, and its importance within different
cultures to allow consumers to make informed decisions.
"Food Literacy is the ability to organize one’s everyday nutrition in a self-determined, responsible and
enjoyable way" (Source: www.food-literacy.org).
Food secure community
A community where a diverse and sustainable food production system supplies safe, nutritious and
culturally appropriate food, and where all residents are food literate and have sufficient income and
access to ensure adequate food on a daily basis.
Local
Food grown and/or produced in southwestern Ontario or across the province.
For further information about London’s Food Charter:
Email: cyn@london.ca
Or visit: http://www.london.ca/Child_Youth_Network/
Guelph-Wellington
Food Charter
The United Nations Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights acknowledges the right for all to have access to
adequate food. Furthering this basic tenet, we will work together to build a vibrant, sustainable, food­secure
community. We, the undersigned believe the following principles are key priorities as we create a just and sustainable
food system for all. As signatories to this food charter, we commit to entering into a dialogue on actions based on
these principles.
Because we value Health, we support…
Public policy that recognizes food’s contribution to physical, mental, spiritual, and
emotional well­being.
• Neighbourhoods that encourage walk­able and bike­able access to healthy food.
• Strategies to prevent and manage chronic diseases through access to affordable
healthy food.
•
Because we value Education, we support...
Initiatives that develop food skills.
Programs that train future farmers.
The integration of food literacy and gardening into school curricula.
Public education about the connections between our health, the environment, and our
food choices.
•
•
•
•
Because we value Sustainable Economic Development, we support …
• Prioritizing production, processing, distribution, and consumption of local food.
• Promoting our region as a food, agricultural, and culinary destination.
• Advancing food and agriculture research and innovation for alternative food systems.
Because we value Environment, we support…
The preservation of local farmland that protects watersheds and wildlife habitat.
The growth of food production methods that sustain or enhance the natural
environment in both rural and urban settings.
•
•
Because we value Culture, we support…
• Celebrating and promoting respect for traditional, cultural, and spiritual food diversity.
• Enhancing the dignity and joy of growing, preparing and eating food.
• Strengthening links between rural and urban communities.
Because we value Social Justice, we support…
• Identifying healthy food as a social good and ensuring access regardless of income.
• Championing a fair wage for the production of food, and a safe and respectful
environment for all food workers.
• Helping to ensure land access for new farmers for the growing of food.
• Advocating for income, education, employment, housing and transportation policies
that support access to healthy, sustainable food.
If you support the Charter’s values, please sign our petition.
Go to www.gwfrt.com or write info@gwfrt.com
Kawartha Lakes Food Charter
A guiding document to assist in the development of food-related policies and programs
in Kawartha Lakes
A just and sustainable food system is rooted in healthy communities, in which no one is hungry and
everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food. It is an economically viable, divers and ecologically
sustainable system to grow, harvest, process, transport and distribute food while minimizing waste.
A just and sustainable food system means:
A Vibrant Community Food Culture that
Engages citizens, promotes responsibiliy and celebrates community
Connects and supports growers, processors, retailers and consumers
Builds greater understanding between farming and non-farming communities
Celebrates the joy of growing, preparing and eating food
Advocates environmental responsibility for community and ecosystem health
Food Security and Community Health that
Acknowledges healthy, nutritious food is a basic human right and necessary for good health
Ensures all residents have knowledge of and access to nutritious, affordable and safe food
Promotes nutrition education, resources and healthy food choices in schools, the workplace and
public places
Supports community food programs and policies that reduce the need for emergency food
resources
Ensures access to locally grown products, as well as gardening, hunting, fishing and wild food
gathering
A Strong Farming Economy that
Generates adequate incomes for farmers, harvesters, processors and distributors
Supports diverse, vibrant production for external and local markets
Values and protects agricultural lands
Promotes sustainable farming practices
A Healthy Ecosystem that
Recognizes and encourages continued environmental conservation initiatives
Advocates ecological waste management
Strengthens connections between agricultural and environmental organizations
Reduces reliance on non-renewable resources for all aspects of food production and distribution
Definitions
Healthy Food: Food of maximum nutritional value that promotes physical, mental and emotional
well-being.
Safe Food: Food that is free of microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards
Sustainable: Activities that can continue without diminishing the earth’s resources
The following groups spearheaded the creation of the local food charter:
HKPR District Health Unit
Victoria Stewardship Council
City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Office
Toward Balance Support Network
Kawartha Field Naturalists
Kawartha Conservation
Individual Farmers
Sarnia-Lambton
FOOD CHARTER
The Sarnia-Lambton Food Charter describes our community's vision of a healthy food system. The charter
outlines the values and beliefs about food in our community to provide guidance for decisions among
government, local businesses, non-profit organizations, families and individuals. As signatories to this food
charter, we commit to work in partnership toward a healthy food system based on these principles:
Because we value HEALTH, we support:
• Food as an essential component to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being
• Access to a safe quality food supply
• Access to affordable, healthy food in every neighbourhood, including schools, businesses and public places
Because we value EDUCATION, we support:
• Neighbourhood educational opportunities that are targeted to specific groups to strengthen residents' food
skills (including growing, cooking, and preserving food and meal planning)
• Health and nutrition promotion strategies that encourage and improve the health and food self-reliance
of residents
• Understanding the environmental impact of where our food comes from and how it's produced
Because we value SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, we support:
• A sustainable local food system by advancing the production, processing, distribution and consumption
of local food
• An economically viable food system that includes healthy relationships among urban and rural farmers,
producers, businesses and consumers and is in balance with global food systems
• Promoting local food products everywhere food is distributed, including farmers markets, farm gate sales,
grocery and convenience stores, public institutions and the food service industry
Because we value ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, we support:
• Protecting farmland and freshwater ecosystems for local food production
• Producing, processing and distributing food in a way that sustains or enhances the natural environment
• Sustainable waste management practices, including waste disposal and composting systems
Because we value CULTURE, we support:
• Strengthening links between different cultures and urban and rural communities through food
• Opportunities to celebrate and promote respect for traditional and cultural food diversity
Because we value SOCIAL JUSTICE, we support:
• Safe, healthy, culturally acceptable food as a basic right of everyone
• Income, education, employment, housing and transportation policies that support access to healthy food
for all
• A fair wage for the production, processing and distribution of food
• Promoting food self-reliance through community food programs, such as community gardens and
collective kitchens, reducing dependence on emergency food providers
Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington
Food Charter
Celebrate and Champion Nourishment for All
What is a
Food Charter?
A Food Charter is a
document that represents
the communities’ voice,
values and priorities for
a healthy and self-reliant
food system. It promotes
the development of food
initiatives and policy
within the communities,
organizations and at the
local government level.
Our Vision
Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington are healthy, food secure
communities where:
• food is recognized as a basic human right
• a just food system ensures all members of our community have access to
adequate, healthy, safe, affordable and culturally appropriate food
• an ecologically and economically sustainable food system thrives
• a strong relationship between our rural and urban communities which
supports and advocates for our regional food system
Our Purpose
To create a more secure, accessible and sustainable food system in our region.
Our Collective Commitments
To achieve our vision we will...
Celebrate community and culture through:
• opportunities that bring together community members to appreciate
and celebrate regional food, culture and diversity.
• opportunities for community members to be included and to make
community connections through the experience and sharing of
food.
Promote the health of individuals, families and our community through:
• policies and practices that acknowledges how food contributes to
physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being.
• strategies to prevent and manage chronic diseases through access to
adequate, healthy, safe, affordable and culturally appropriate food.
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Improve education through:
• community awareness about the associations between our health,
the environment, and our food choices.
• public awareness of the role of agriculture in our lives.
• community and school programs that promote skills in the planning,
producing, purchasing, preparing and preserving of food.
• initiatives that develop our present and future farmers in urban and
rural communities.
November 8, 2012
For more
information visit:
www.kflahealthycommunitiespartnership.com
or contact:
Rachael Goodmurphy, R.D.
Public Health Dietitian
KFL&A Public Health
Tel: 613-549-1232, ext. 1630
rachael.goodmurphy@
kflapublichealth.ca
Protect our environment through:
• preservation of local farmland.
• protection of watersheds and wildlife habitat.
• food production methods that sustain or enhance the natural
environment in rural and urban settings.
• agriculture and land use policies that support the production of
healthy, sustainable food.
• food waste reduction and recycling policies and practices.
Uphold social justice through:
• a living wage and respectful work environment for farmers and
food workers.
• dignified access to sustainable healthy food regardless of
income.
• inclusive opportunities for meaningful community participation
in policy development.
Foster economic sustainability of our community through:
• affordable agricultural land, and
• production, preparation, storage, distribution and consumption
of regional food as an integral part of our economy.
This Charter has been developed by the KFL&A Healthy Eating Working Group,
with the help of several individuals and groups.

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The KFL&A Healthy Eating Working Group is comprised of representatives from
City of Kington  Community  County of Frontenac  Downtown Kingston B.I.A.
 Hospitality Services at Queen’s University  KFL&A Public Health
 Kingston Community Health Centres  Lennox and Addington Interval House
 Loving Spoonful  National Farmers Union - Local 316
 Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul
We, the people who live work and play in Elgin County and in the City of St. Thomas value a
healthy and sustainable community for all. One very important determinant of creating a healthy
and sustainable community is food. Food is a foundation for strengthening the economy,
improving health, and building a vibrant community. To support this vision of a sustainable
healthy community, we strive to ensure that everyone has an adequate supply of safe,
accessible, culturally appropriate food that meets their dietary needs. We believe that this vision
is only possible through collaboration and partnership.
We agree with the United Nations Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights
acknowledges the right for all to have access to adequate food. Furthering this basic tenet, we
will work together to build a vibrant, sustainable, food secure community. We believe health,
education, sustainable economic development, environment, culture and social justice
are key priorities as we create a just and sustainable food system for all.
Because we value Health, we support…
 Public policy that recognizes food’s contribution to physical, mental, spiritual, and
emotional wellbeing.
 Making local food readily accessible for our rural and urban residents.
 Strategies to prevent and manage chronic disease through access to affordable healthy
food.
 Local foods for their higher food safety standards, less distance travelled, less spoilage,
less damage to the product and fresher, more nutritious food.
 Strategies to promote and implement safe food handling practices to prevent food borne
illness.
 Food production methods that protect sources of drinking water.
Because we value Education, we support...
 Initiatives that develop food skills.
 Programs that train future farmers, growers and gardeners.
 The integration of food literacy and gardening into school curricula.
 Public education and the relationship between our health, the environment, and our food
choices.
 Educating people about the impact of local food choices (power of the individual).


The need to understand benefits of buying local food.
Education about the high standards to which Canadian food producers must comply.
Because we value Sustainable Economic Development, we support …
 Prioritizing production, processing, distribution, and consumption of local food.
 Promoting our region as a food, agricultural, and culinary destination.
 Advancing food and agriculture research and innovation for alternative food systems.
 Buying local and minimizing fuel consumption
 Diversification of the locally grown food
Because we value Environment, we support…
 The preservation of local farmland that protects watersheds and wildlife habitat.
 The growth of food production methods that sustain or enhance the natural
environment in both rural and urban settings.
 Decreasing carbon foot prints, CO2 emissions, and fuel consumption that comes with
shorter distances to transport foods.
Because we value Culture, we support…
 Celebrating and promoting respect for traditional, cultural, and spiritual food diversity.
 Promoting the dignity and joy of growing, preparing and eating food.
 Strengthening links between the farm and the table.
Because we value Social Justice, we support…
 Identifying healthy food as a social right and ensuring access regardless of income.
 Championing a fair wage for the production of local food, and a safe and respectful
environment for all food workers.
 Helping to ensure land access for the growing of local food.
 Advocating for income, education, employment, housing and transportation policies
that support access to healthy, sustainable food.
Take the Challenge today at www.ipetitions.com/petition/buy-local-buy-fresh/