Upcoming Webinar Series from Partner Project, “Healthy Food for All: Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems in Ontario”
Posted: January 29, 2014
Categories: Food in the News / GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Ontario / Webinars
Sustain Ontario is one of six organizations partnering for the project, “Healthy Food for All: Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems in Ontario,” which aims to increase the capacity of local communities to collaboratively work on strengthening local food systems. The project, led by the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition (OHCC), is supported by partners Rural Agricultural Innovation Network (RAIN), Huron Food Action Network, Harvest Haliburton, and FoodNet Ontario.
As described by OHCC, “The Healthy Community model recognizes that in addition to our genetic characteristics, lifestyle or access to health or sick care services, our health is also strongly influenced by social, economic and environmental factors. It sees communities as dynamic systems in which everything is connected to everything else.” Read the project media release.
The project is funded by the Healthy Communities Fund of the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care, from October 1, 2013 – March 31, 2015. During this time, you will see a variety of resources and activities developed and made available through this partnership. Some of the planned activities are peer learning circles, community planning processes, learning activities and tool kits, including this 3-part webinar series.
From the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition website:
Sustainable Food Systems Webinar Series
As one of the components of the project, “Healthy Food for All: Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems in Ontario”, a series of webinars are being offered to the public, in partnership with HC Link. The purpose of these webinars is to increase the capacity of local communities to create and strengthen sustainable local food systems. Below is a list of the webinars dates with links to descriptions and registration information:
Part 1: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems
February 13, 2014, 1:30 – 3:00 pm EST
This introductory webinar to the Sustainable Food Systems series will explore the definitions, motivations and ideas behind the development of the theory and practice of Sustainable Food Systems. Where did the idea originate? What are we trying to impact or change and how do we measure both current status and improvements. Community Partner presenters Joan Brady and Steffanie Scott will give an example of a food systems approach to a regional food system, sharing various insights and principles that have become evident as the community enacted the Sustainable Food Systems process. More information on the first webinar and presenters.
Register here (Registration closes February 10 at 5:00 pm)
Part 2: Sustainable Food Systems in a Healthy Communities Lens
February 27, 2014, 1:30 – 3:00 pm EST
The webinar will introduce the basics of the Healthy Communities Model and explore its benefits to communities and their residents. Community Partner presenters Jeff Kohl and Janice Dunbar will share how a Healthy Communities approach has driven food systems change in a rural setting. She will also share the various community engagement strategies and planning initiatives that have been useful to bring the community to its current state of Healthy Communities and Sustainable Food Systems awareness. More information on the second webinar and presenters.
Register here (Registration closes February 24 at 5:00 pm)
Part 3: Organizing to affect your Food System: Food Policy and Action Groups
March 13, 2014, 1:30 – 3:00 pm EST
Food Policy and Action groups are becoming more prevalent in our social landscape. As with many collective actions, formation results as a response to a perceived problem or opportunity and as a mechanism for enacting change. Our Community Partner presenters Joan Brady and Catherine Schwartz Mendez will be asked to share their group’s story including a simple timeline and the impetus for each step toward network development and activity. They will also be asked to share some of their recommendations for anyone considering Food Action or Food Policy Group development and the role of these groups in Sustainable Food System Development. More information on the third webinar and presenters.