TO’s Food Movement Minute – Act now, on local food at City Hall!
Posted: July 6, 2011
Categories: News from Sustain Ontario
from the Food Forward website
Last Tuesday, the Government Management Committee reviewed a status report on the City’s Local Food 
Procurement Policy, which was adopted in 2008. It contained a consultant’s report stating that the goal of buying 50% local was not yet practical, but staff still recommended a way forward. The City’s three main departments that purchase food for young children, those in long-term homes and shelters should continue to work toward increasing their local buying, the report recommends.
This recommendation was not passed at Committee, under a tied vote. In fact, Councillor Doug Ford commented that the policy should be done away with all together.
The tie means the policy goes to Council for final decision. Though it may not be perfect policy, it is critical that the City continue to increase its purchase of local food to support public health, our environment and our local economy. One in eight Toronto jobs is in the food sector, and dissolving the existing policy would reduce City support for local business.
Tell Councillors today to support the Local Food Procurement Policy, and that:
- Good food jobs are important, and according to City staff, increasing local food content provides greater economic and business opportunities for food processors in Toronto.
- The report recommends no cost increases and so voting for the policy would not affect the City Budget
- Buying locally means reducing distance to cut our carbon footprint and keep our dollars in the local economy
You can reach them by:
– Phone – Email – Tweet – Facebook – Meeting –
Council contact info: http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp
Write all councillors by copying this list:
councillor_Ainslie@toronto.ca, councillor_Augimeri@toronto.ca, councillor_Bailao@toronto.ca, councillor_Berardinetti@toronto.ca, councillor_Carroll@toronto.ca, councillor_Cho@toronto.ca, councillor_Colle@toronto.ca, councillor_Crawford@toronto.ca, councillor_Crisanti@toronto.ca, councillor_Davis@toronto.ca, councillor_debaeremaeker@toronto.ca, councillor_delgrande@toronto.ca, councillor_digiorgio@toronto.ca, councillor_Doucette@toronto.ca, councillor_Filion@toronto.ca, councillor_Fletcher@toronto.ca, councillor_dFord@toronto.ca, councillor_Fragedakis@toronto.ca, councillor_Grimes@toronto.ca, councillor_Holyday@toronto.ca, councillor_Kelly@toronto.ca, councillor_Layton@toronto.ca, councillor_Lee@toronto.ca, councillor_Lindsay_luby@toronto.ca, councillor_Mammoliti@toronto.ca, councillor_Matlow@toronto.ca, councillor_McConnell@toronto.ca, councillor_McMahon@toronto.ca, councillor_Mihevc@toronto.ca, councillor_Milczyn@toronto.ca, councillor_minnan-wong@toronto.ca, councillor_Moeser@toronto.ca, councillor_Nunziata@toronto.ca, councillor_Palacio@toronto.ca, councillor_Parker@toronto.ca, councillor_Pasternak@toronto.ca, councillor_Perks@toronto.ca, councillor_Perruzza@toronto.ca, councillor_Robinson@toronto.ca, councillor_Shiner@toronto.ca, councillor_Stintz@toronto.ca, councillor_Vaughan@toronto.ca, councillor_Thompson@toronto.ca, councillor_Wongtam@toronto.ca, mayor_Ford@toronto.ca
You can also sign this petition from the Toronto Environmental Alliance.
Food Forward has had many discussions about local, sustainable food procurement by institutions at different levels of government also including hospitals, universities and schools. It just makes sense, and we hope to support continued progress. We will continue to discuss this issue in the provincial election, where all parties have expressed interest in buying local if not more.
Please share this email or the Food Forward blog with your friends, and help Food Forward continue this work and in creating good food jobs in Toronto by becoming a member today.