A Resource Guide for Local Food Policy Practitioners & Organizers

From Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy comes a collection of resources for local food policy assembled from groups across the U.S..

Inside are a sample of experiences and resources to provide community advocates with practical tools and ideas for creating local food policy change, organized with policies and tools for each area of the food system: production, processing, distribution, consumption, and food waste recovery.

We hope you’ll be able to apply some of these experiences to build a just, sustainable food system in your region!

Visit www.foodfirst.org to download.

Three huge issues will be front and centre in Ontario’s 2011 election – health, health and health.  All three issues – medical health, economic health and environmental health – have one thing in common. Good food is indispensable to success with all of them.

With growing awareness of the importance, value, and potential of food across Ontario this could be the year that food finds its rightful place at the policy table. In Ontario today there is no food ministry, minister, office, department, legislation, plan or strategy.  As a result we’re missing out on great opportunities to create jobs– the food sector has already become Ontario’s top employer;  improve health promotion and generate huge medical savings; create lively and welcoming communities; engage students and make curricula relevant; and improve our air, soil, water and wildlife habitat. Food can make all of these things happen – but it won’t until there’s coordination across ministries, jurisdictions, communities and businesses.

Photo by Laura Berman - www.greenfusephotos.com

Sustain Ontario’s job is to bring together a wide range of food-related community and stakeholder groups across the province. Our non-partisan goal is to help the government get its act together with food. We’d like to see all parties integrate a focus on food into their platforms, taking advantage of the opportunities that come from managing the food file in an integrated way.

Sustain Ontario and many of our members are taking action this year to make sure that food is on the agenda. We’ll be playing our part by creating a toolkit, connecting people to events, activities, ideas, and resources that they can use to make sure candidates understand why food is so important and what they can do to use food to address the issues facing our province. Part of that will be keeping you informed through this blog about healthy food and farming policy asks, campaigns, issues, and party platforms.

Good Food Policies and Programs for Ontario are our policy asks. The Good Food Policies and Programs would bring about  immediate changes that will prevent our food system from further eroding, give people who are hungry today access to the food that they need, and will make sure that we’re not missing the obvious and immediate opportunities available through food.

But that’s not all we’re asking for. We’re also asking that the provincial government create processes and structures that will allow us to realize all of the possibilities that food presents us. We are asking that all ministries that deal with food be brought together at one table.  We are asking for support of community and business based food policy councils and alliances. We would like to see the province have a strategy and an action plan for food. Across this province we need to start working together to find new opportunities and new solutions.

Sustain Ontario isn’t the only group that thinks it’s time for good food this election year. Groups across the province are asking politicians and candidates to change the future of food. Here are a few of the many:

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is advocating for policies to prevent childhood obesity. Check out their advocacy document, starting on page 12 to learn more about their food focused policies.

The Holland Marsh Growers Association is advocating for policies and budget changes that will enable farmers to keep farming and make a good living (and that are good for eaters as well).

FoodShare Toronto, which works for good, healthy food for all is advocating for student nutrition, support to local farmers, and good food boxes.

Watch this blog to learn more about Sustain Ontario’s policy asks, other food focused campaigns, and what the parties are saying about food this election year. Share your ideas, opinions, resources and more. We’d love to hear from you!

The People’s Food Policy Project (PFPP), a national network of food-concerned citizens and organisations, released Resetting the Table: A People’s Food Policy for Canada, a report outlining a federal food sovereignty policy.

Resetting the Table calls for a federal food policy that ensures Canadians healthy, local food, supports producers, involves the public in decision-making and creates a children’s food policy. “Our food system is failing us,” said Amanda Sheedy, PFPP coordinator. “Close to two and a half million Canadians regularly don’t have enough to eat, thousands of family farms are disappearing, one in four Canadians is considered obese, and the environment is being pushed to the limit. The status quo is no longer an option.”

Click here to sign the pledge and find out how to get involved!

The People’s Food Policy Project (PFPP), which is launching April 18th, is a national network of food-concerned citizens and organisations aiming to create Canada’s first food sovereignty policy.  This is the first election year in which all major political parties have included food policy in their platforms, and the PFPP can build on this momentum by engaging Canadians in calling for the creation of a strong food security policy.

Find out how to get involved, and  remember to check the PFPP website on Monday to read more.

Convened as part of a nation-wide consultation called the Peopleʼs Food Policy Project, the Timmins Kitchen Table Talk was a feast of shared conversation designed to explore experiences, values, barriers and ideas to inform the creation of a national food policy for Canada. Participants discussed many issues and concerns that arise from the fact that Canada currently has no food policy or strategy, including the shrinking rural landscape, the trend towards large scale industrial agriculture, and obesity and other nutrition-related health concerns among others. Check out the video produced for the event here.

The evening featured a “made in Timmins” format to highlight the issues, expertise, and experience in our community. A video panel consisting of Veronica Nicholson (Native Friendship Centre), John & Lois Caron (Hawk Feather Farms), Noella Farrell (Mattagami Heights Farm), Michael Perello (Naturally Pure Farm) and Dr. Susan Kazmarek (Porcupine Health Unit) grounded the discussion in the Timmins context and invited further exploration of food issues such as the nutritional inequalities between people, the high cost of food in remote First Nations, poverty as a social determinant of health, restrictive health and safety regulations that prohibit farmers from selling directly to consumers and other barriers to the accessibility of local food.

Perspectives on good food and farming by Elbert van Donkersgoed
April 15, 2010

Local Food Procurement Policies: A Literature Review

This report examines the environmental, economic and social benefits of local food, showcases existing procurement policies in Italy, Britain, the United States, and Canada, and examines lessons learned in other jurisdictions. It is a preliminary review of some literature on local food initiatives. Review prepared by Marla MacLeod and Jennifer Scott, Ecology Action Centre, For the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. (0.25 MB PDF)

Local authority sustainable food procurement toolkit (UK)

This toolkit is intended to give an overview of the area of sustainable food procurement for local authorities. It gives the background on sustainable food procurement, the current status of procurement policy in the UK, identifies the challenges for those in local councils wishing to implement a policy and helps identify ways to overcome them. And finally gives links to practical guidance, and toolkits which will be useful if you wish to go ahead and change the way you buy or supply your food. Food Vision website.

Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act of 2007

Creates the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act and the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force. Sets out the composition of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall develop a plan for expanding and supporting a State local and organic food system and for assessing and overcoming obstacles to an increase in locally grown food and local organic food production. Sets out the contents of the plan. Effective immediately. Local Food, Farms & Jobs website.

Local Food, Farms & Jobs: Growing the Illinois Economy

A Report to the Illinois General Assembly By The Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force, March 2009. “Every Illinois community would benefit from our farmers producing products for in-state purchase. I encourage and support all efforts that accomplish this goal.” Governor Pat Quinn. Local Food, Farms & Jobs website.

Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act, 2009

Based upon the work of the Task Force, Representative Julie Hamos introduced legislation, HB 3990, which has since passed the Illinois General Assembly and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Local Food, Farms & Jobs website.

Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative: An Evaluation (UK)

Although a single department does not need to wholly own a future public sector food procurement initiative, the common view was that a strong leader does need to be identified to drive this forward. Currently, a ministerial and departmental focal point is missing. The delivery issue also needs to be addressed and the roles of Government Office and PSFPI facilitators clarified so that the quality of delivery is maintained across regions. The emerging issues identified in this evaluation highlight a number of key points to be addressed in any future public sector sustainable food procurement initiative. As a priority, the core strategy, leadership and delivery issues should be tackled to: a) Establish clarity of purpose; b) Offer clear leadership; c) Establish an evaluation stream to measure performance in ‘real time’; and d) Deliver adequate training and support to buyers and suppliers. Evaluation by Deloitte for Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (1.3MB PDF)

SPIN: Sustainable Procurement Information Network (UK)

SPIN is the first and only website dedicated to supporting local authorities in their efforts to procure sustainably, and provides a ‘one-stop’ website containing the very best information relating to the sustainable procurement agenda. The new website is extremely easy to navigate, with comprehensive information just one click away from the home page. Local authorities and public sector organisations are urged to contribute to the content of the website. SPIN was launched and is maintained as part of an East Midlands Centre of Excellence sustainable procurement project. SPIN website.

Scotland’s Food, Sustainability & Public Procurement

This response to the Government’s consultation on a national food strategy for Scotland is written by Osbert Lancaster. I am a Fellow (and formerly executive director) of the Centre for Human Ecology and a director of Footprint Consulting Ltd, a sustainability consultancy. It is based on my ongoing research, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, currently unpublished, which draws on the personal experience of people working on policy and practice in the public procurement of sustainable food. It is also informed by my work helping the Scottish Parliament develop and implement its responsible purchasing strategy, related consultancy work, and teaching a postgraduate course in ethical enterprise at Department of Geography and Sociology, University of Strathclyde. Recommendation: A sustainable national food strategy should be set in the context of a unique and evolving Scottish food culture.Footprint Consulting report.

Sandwell (UK) Sustainable Food Policy

The aim of the Policy is to “improve people’s access to affordable good quality food and to develop the link between the people of Sandwell and food producers in the West Midlands” There are two main aspects to the development of the Sustainable Food Policy. Firstly, the Council is reviewing its in house catering and procurement processes to develop a more sustainable approache to the provision of food. Secondly, the Council is working with the Sandwell Food Policy Board to create a ‘sustainable food system’ in Sandwell. Sustainable Procurement. Sandwell Food Policy.

Corporate social responsibility and sustainable food procurement (UK)

The research (funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation) aims to support the UK Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative by working with leading contract caterers to develop principles of sustainable food procurement and key performance indicators to measure progress in putting them into practice. Report.

Sustainable Food Procurement for Foodservice Companies (UK)

A particular focus of concern in recent years has been the issues of food origin, food processing, food technologies and the environmental issues associated with food production and food transport. It is these issues that are immensely complex to manage, monitor and report against for contract catering businesses. However, it is evident that consumers (client companies, individual clients and the public sector as a whole) are increasingly interested in the issues associated with food. It is also evident that any report from this sector that does not include reference to food provenance cannot be considered complete. Esmee Fairbairn Foundation report. (2.4MB PDF)

Local and Regional Procurement Project

The Local and Regional Procurement Project (Pilot Program) was authorized as a pilot program under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). The Farm Bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a five-year local and regional purchase pilot program in developing countries from fiscal year (FY) 2009 through 2012. The primary objective of the USDA pilot program is to use local and regional purchasing to help quickly meet urgent food needs due to food crises and disasters. This will protect against a decline in food consumption, save lives, and reduce suffering. United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service website.

Toronto Local Food Procurement Policy and Implementation Plan – Update

In October 2008, Council adopted a Local Food Procurement Policy, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas and smog causing emissions generated by the import of food from outside Ontario as part of the implementation of the Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan. The policy demonstrates that the City of Toronto is committed to progressively increasing the percentage of food being served at City-owned facilities or purchased for City operations from local sources. Children’s Services, jointly with the Toronto Environment Office, is implementing the first phase of the Local Food Procurement Policy and Implementation Plan, as adopted by Council in October 2008. Staff report.

AND if You Have Time

Double-decker ‘bustaurant’ serves up high-end cuisine

Aiming to go well beyond the taco truck that’s so ubiquitous on the streets of LA, local entrepreneurs Travis Schmidt and Jason Freeman began with a vintage double-decker, and then spent six months adding a full kitchen downstairs and open-air seating on top. Now, what might well be America’s first “bustaurant” is officially called World Fare, a mobile restaurant that serves up a variety of high-end dishes from around the world. One favourite, for example, is the Bunny Chow, an originally South African street worker food that features a hollowed out loaf of bread filled with chicken curry, coconut milk, chick peas, cashews and cilantro. Also notable are World Fare’s house-made “drinks in a bag,” including strawberry basil lemonade. Like several of the recent contenders we’ve seen, World Fare keeps its fans updated via Twitter; weekly schedules are also posted online. Springwise story.

Perspectives on good food and farming
March 29, 2010

FoodNYC: A Blueprint for a Sustainable Food System

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer today released “FoodNYC: A Blueprint for a Sustainable Food System,” the most comprehensive effort to date to unify and reform New York City’s policies regarding the production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food. The report, a product of the NYC Food & Climate Summit held at NYU in December in partnership with the non-profit Just Food, outlines a package of proposals that will make our food system more sustainable by prioritizing products from New York State, increasing access to healthy food in underserved neighborhoods, and expanding the food economy. Report (1.3 MB PDF).

We must allocate more to agri-environmental measures

If we look even further at this more targeted approach to environment and climate change in the CAP, we can’t ignore Rural Development, currently the 2nd pillar of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). This is without doubt the major funding instrument for environmental integration in rural areas, with about 37 billion Euros going to agri-environmental measures between 2007 and 2013. Under this the CAP pays farmers and forest owners for their environmental services in support of biodiversity, water, soil, landscape and climate change. Many other Rural Development measures also help the environment, like farm investments in new technology that can save energy and limit water consumption. Despite this, funds for Rural Development represent only a small part of the CAP budget, and with all the environmental and climate challenges ahead of us, to my view, and speaking in the capacity of commissioner responsible for environment, a bigger share of Rural Development will be needed, and within this share, we must allocate more to agri-environmental measures. These measures support farmers who voluntarily engage in environmentally friendly farming practices and who go beyond what cross compliance demands of them. Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Environment speech 3rd Forum for the Future of Agriculture – The Economics and Politics of Food Security vs. Climate Change Brussels, 16 March 2010.

Council of Food Policy Advisors publishes second report to Government

The Council of Food Policy Advisors has published its second report to the Government, recommending that efforts to promote healthy diets and environmentally sustainable food production should focus on the power of consumer demand to bring about change. Food: a recipe for a healthy, sustainable, and successful future? also calls for a debate about land use in the United Kingdom in order to find the best way to balance the needs of agriculture with other demands such as housing, energy and infrastructure. In addition the Council highlighted the importance of the food sector in economic strategies, as well as the need for continued research and development across the entire food chain. News Release posted on AllBusiness.com UK. Report (1.5 MB PDF). Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs news release

The Big Apple, where honey talks

To the delight of bee enthusiasts, the city yesterday legalized beekeeping within its limits. The move reverses a long-standing ban under which honey bees were lumped together with wild animals – including venomous snakes – deemed dangerous to urban living. The prohibition had sent beekeepers underground, figuratively speaking. Despite the risk of fines, some went ahead and tended bees and harvested honey on rooftops and in private yards. Globe and Mail story.

Local food-makers find space among big boys

Nancy Monti Barcalow began making peanut brittle after getting let go from her corporate job last year and receiving training from the Economic and Community Development Institute. The sweet treat has scored points with consumers, and now she is joining a growing number of smaller local food makers whose products are showing up in mainstream grocery stores. Her Buckeye Brittle debuts this spring at the Lewis Center Kroger Marketplace. Columbus Business first story.

‘Taste of Cape Ann’ is newest step in our lifestyle spotlight

Do you like to cook? Do you like to be a little adventurous when it comes to eating — whether dining in or out? Do you wonder what wines go best with the dinners you’re preparing, or about to enjoy? Do you wonder what ingredients go into some of the specialties crafted by our local chefs, restaurateurs and brewmasters? You can find all of that and much more on our Taste of the Times page athttp://food.gloucestertimes.com. This past Wednesday marked the debut of our new, full-fledged “food” section, also headed “Taste of the Times.” And next Wednesday, all of this will come alive when we host “A Taste of Cape Ann,” a special event showcasing more than a dozen local food and beverage vendors from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester. Gloucester (UK) Daily Times story.

PepsiCo pilot program to reduce Tropicana’s carbon footprint

One year after PepsiCo and the Carbon Trust launched an innovative partnership that began with certifying the carbon footprint of Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice, Tropicana is announcing a pilot program that could drastically reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint and have a dramatic impact on the broader agricultural landscape for orange growers and producers of other agricultural products. When Tropicana measured the carbon footprint of its Pure Premium product’s lifecycle, it discovered that the largest single source of carbon emissions – approximately 35 percent – was fertilizer use and application for the growing process. Fast Casual story.

Libraries help fill city nutrition gaps

Residents of two Baltimore neighborhoods that lack supermarkets will soon be able to order their groceries through a free delivery system that operates with the click of a mouse from the library. The new Virtual Supermarket Project, city officials’ latest attempt to solve Baltimore’s long-standing history of neighborhoods with little access to healthful foods, offers laptops where residents can order groceries online from Santoni’s Super Market in Highlandtown and pick them up the next day at the Orleans Street or Washington Village library branches of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. The libraries are in East and West Baltimore’s biggest “food deserts,” areas targeted by the Health Department for their scarcity of grocery stores and nutritious food options. The Baltimore Sun story.

Kennett: bad policy kills

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett has blamed policy failure by both sides of politics for contributing to rural depression and suicide. The chair of the national depression initiative, beyondblue, this week said a lack of effective policies to stimulate agricultural development was contributing to mental illness in rural Australia. “The great missing ingredient in Australia in terms of agriculture – an ingredient not recognised by either side of politics – is an effective national water plan and a national plan for agriculture,” Mr Kennett said. He said a national water and food policy would increase activity in rural Australia, provide more employment opportunities and enable people to live more rewarding lives. Australia Weekly Times Now story.

Jamie Oliver in America: sneers and tears

Interesting that when Oliver went on David Letterman’s show this week, Letterman lectured Oliver about the futility of his mission – persuading Americans to eat fresh, not processed, food. Interesting too that during the first instalment of the series (Friday, ABC, A, 9 p.m.), Oliver is reduced to tears. Globe and Mail story.

AND if You Have Time

The World Wide Wiener: Hot Dogs Around the World

The whole world may turn a blind eye to what might be ground into a hot dog, but that doesn’t mean that everyone approaches presentation the same way. A run-down of how wieners make the world go ’round — with pictures. Matador Networks story.

It is funny how things change sometimes.

I was reminded of this recently when I received a glossy promotional magazine in my mail for one of Ontario’s farm organizations that discussed amongst other things a national food policy like they had invented the idea.

A few years ago I was at a government consultation meeting around the future of agriculture. I was there representing the National Farmers Union and the thousands of farmers across Canada who have been talking and working on promoting the need for a national food policy and agricultural policies that actually focus on the needs and importance of family farmers. During the meeting I brought up the idea of a national food policy.

Continue reading the full article here: Food policy for Canada by Grant Robertson

Mayor’s Executive Directive: Healthy and Sustainable Food for San Francisco - Roots of Change.