Official Launch of the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy
Posted: September 23, 2013
Categories: Food in the News / GoodFoodBites / Policy News
Photo by Shannon Costigan, EcoSuperior
Walleye Magazine’s Michelle McChristie recently reported on the inaugural Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy, which was officially launched on September 19, 2013 by the City of Thunder Bay and partners.
Following the 2008 Thunder Bay Food Charter and the recommendations for the development of a food strategy from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit in 2012, this project arises in response to growth in the local food sector and an increase in concerns about where food comes from and how it reaches us. This initiative was made possible through a 3-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which provisioned for EcoSuperior to hire Kendal Donahue, previously a Metcalf Intern with Sustain Ontario, to organise the food strategy.
“We’re very excited to begin the formal development of the Food Strategy,” said Donahue – Coordinator, Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy, as quoted in the Food Strategy’s media release. “In Thunder Bay and the surrounding area, we’re facing many issues with our local food system. Developing a Food Strategy is the first step in addressing these issues, and ensuring everybody has access to quality, affordable and local food.”
The Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy will be organized around the seven pillars of a sustainable food system:
- Healthy school food environments
- Forest and freshwater foods
- Food access
- Production and new farm mentorship
- Distribution and processing
- Institutional procurement
- Urban agriculture.
Learn more about the pillars, selected by community leadership at the 2013 Food Summit held in March, in the Food Strategy Backgrounder.
Michelle McChristie writes that the food strategy “will involve focus group discussions, surveys, and other opportunities from involvement from all levels of the food chains: government, producers, retailers, restaurants, health professionals and consumers.” Some thoughts expressed by attendees at the launch focused on sustainability, increasing community control over food procurement, increased knowledge of food systems, caring for ourselves and our environment, collaboration across sectors, and the availability of healthy food. Highlighted in the article was the support offered by local governments in the development of the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy. Two local councillors – Rebekah Johnson (Thunder Bay) and Bernie Kamphof (Oliver-Paipoonge) – delivered special addresses outlining their involvement with the project as Steering Committee Co-chairs.
The event was held at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, and featured a juice bar from The Growing Season, mini expo of inspirational local food initiatives, catering by Nikos Mantis’ Localmotion Food Truck, and live music.
For more information about the Food Strategy, contact Kendal Donahue – Coordinator, Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy, 807-624-2143
Read the full article on Walleye Magazine’s website: “A Commitment to Local Food Sustainability”
Read the full media release from the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy.