CITY OF VANCOUVER POLICY REPORT
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| Date: | November 20, 2003 | |
| Author: | Wendy Mendes | |
| Phone No.: | 871-6236 | |
| RTS No.: | 3755 | |
| CC File No.: | 3001-1 | |
| Meeting Date: | December 9, 2003 |
Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of Vancouver |
A. THAT Council receive the proceedings of the Vancouver Food Policy Task Force for information, as separately distributed.
B. THAT Council adopt the three components of the recommended Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of Vancouver as outlined in B1, B2, and B3.
B1. THAT Council approve the creation of a "Food Policy Council" with a
mandate to act as an advisory and policy development body on food system issues within the City's jurisdiction, as described in this report.
B2. THAT Council approve an "Interim Work Plan," as described in this report, to lay the foundation for future linkages to the work of the Food Policy Council once it is established.
B3. THAT subject to 2004 budget considerations, Council consider implementation support in the form of:
· One Regular Full Time Food Policy Coordinator, subject to classification by the General Manager of Human Resources, at an estimated annual cost of $73,900, with a mandate to act as an on-going catalyst for leading, coordinating and facilitating both the existing work of the City on food system issues and new policy work in partnership with community groups, the Vancouver Agreement, higher levels of government, Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Coastal Health, and other stakeholders. The source of funds subject to 2004 budget considerations.
One Temporary Regular Full time Social Planner I for a period of two years, subject to classification by the General Manager of Human Resources, at an approximate annual cost of $67,900 with a mandate to internally coordinate and implement both existing and new food-related programs and services within the City's jurisdiction. The source of funds subject to 2004 budget considerations.·
C. THAT in order to provide adequate resources for research, outreach and information sharing, Council approve an annual budget of $15,000 for the Food Policy Council for the planning and implementation of events incorporating outreach activities and information sharing, holding regular meetings in the community, conducting food system research and promoting awareness of food policy issues, plus start up costs estimated to be $10,000, managed by the Director of Social Planning. The source of funds for 2004 to be the Contingency Reserve and subsequently added to the operating budget in 2005 without offset.
The City Manager recommends Council adoption of recommendations A, B1, B2, B3 and C, noting that the work of the Food Policy Task Force demonstrates the benefits of the proposed Action Plan to our citizens. Recommendation B3 deals with on-going staff that may be needed to move this initiative forward as per the Committee's recommendation. The City Manager RECOMMENDS that B3 be determined within the 2004 budget considerations including possible partnership with the Vancouver Agreement, Vancouver School Board and Vancouver Park Board. The Action Plan proposed in this report reinforces a number of Council's existing policy and development goals, including in particular, those relating to sustainability.
On July 8, 2003, Council moved the following motion:
"C. THAT, in order to provide leadership in developing a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver that fosters equitable food access, nutrition, community development and environmental health, Council establish a Vancouver Food Policy Task Force.
D. THAT the Food Policy Task force work with City staff to develop a just and sustainable food policy and action plan for the City of Vancouver.
E. THAT the Food Policy Task Force be comprised of Councillors Bass, Woodsworth and Louis; a representative each from the Vancouver School Board, the Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver Coastal health authority; and representatives from appropriate and interested community groups as identified by the Co-chairs; with Councillor Louis and the General Manager of Community Services as Co-chairs."
On July 8, 2003, Council approved a motion supporting the development of a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver that fosters equitable food production, distribution and consumption; nutrition; community development and environmental health. To provide leadership in achieving this goal, a Food Policy Task Force was initiated. The purpose of this report is to recommend an Action Plan for creating a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver. The report outlines the components of the Action Plan and the resources needed to implement it. The strategic focus of the proposed Action Plan is on areas that fall within the jurisdiction of the City of Vancouver.
The Council motion of July 8, 2003 emerged as a result of wide-spread dissatisfaction with our current food system. Issues of concern include hunger in Canadian society, loss of agricultural lands, limited economic viability of small and medium sized farms, lost economic opportunities, and growing distance between producer and consumer. The result is a growing desire on the part of community organizations and local governments to create a more just and sustainable food system.
Just and sustainable food systems encompass a wide range of issues associated with different jurisdictions ranging from the local (e.g. Farmers Markets, community gardens, food banks, community kitchens), to the regional / national (e.g. health, nutrition, agriculture, agri-food policy, natural resources, fisheries), to the global (e.g. international trade agreements, climate change impacts on agriculture). While recognizing the interconnections between food issues at different geographical scales, the focus of the Action Plan proposed in this report is the development of a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver, with a strategic focus on areas that are within the jurisdiction of the City of Vancouver. The focus on the City's role should be understood as an important component of a more encompassing strategy that will necessarily involve partnerships with other stakeholders and levels of government, but is firmly rooted within the City's existing responsibilities.
While some of the resources and policy tools necessary to create a just and sustainable food system fall outside of the jurisdiction of Canadian municipalities, there is a growing trend towards local governments having direct and immediate impacts on food-related concerns ranging from poverty and food security, to community economic development and environmental protection. Canadian cities such as Toronto, Ontario; Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; and Kamloops, British Columbia, already benefit from municipally-supported food policies and / or food policy councils. Even without a coordinated food policy, the City of Vancouver provides funding to a wide range of activities related to urban food policy.
The adoption of the Food Action Plan proposed in this report will coordinate, maximize and expand the benefits that result from food-related programs and services already provided and / or supported by the City of Vancouver. In addition, the proposed Food Action Plan builds on the considerable expertise of community-based organizations that have been developing and delivering food-related programs and services in Vancouver for over a decade. The proposed Action Plan that Council is being asked to approve is made up of three components, as described in the body of the report:
The City of Vancouver's Food Policy Task Force
On July 8, 2003, Council approved a motion supporting the development of a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver that fosters equitable food production, distribution and consumption; nutrition; community development and environmental health. To provide leadership in achieving this goal, a Food Policy Task Force was initiated.
The Food Policy Task Force is made up of Councillors Tim Louis, Fred Bass, and Ellen Woodsworth; Vancouver School Board Trustee, Andrea Reimer; Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Eva Riccius; representatives from Vancouver Coastal Health; and representatives from approximately 70 community groups as identified by the Co-chairs; with Councillor Louis and the General Manager of Community Services as Co-chairs. A complete list of Task Force membership can be found in Appendix A.
The consultation process consisted of two meetings of the full task force; informal small group meetings; consultation with recognized experts in urban food policy; staff liaison with community, City departments, UBC, and other stakeholders; and research on existing models of successful urban food policies and Food Councils already in existence.
The Action Plan recommended by the Task Force balances specific action items; and recommendations on how these actions will fit into a larger, long-term policy framework and governance model (the type of Food Policy Organization needed to implement the actionable goals). The strategic focus of the Action Plan is on areas where the City of Vancouver has the capacity to act in support of goals identified. In recognition of the fact that many food system issues must be addressed on a regional basis, opportunities for collaboration with other levels of government, other municipalities and stakeholders are identified.
The food and agricultural system in Canada has changed dramatically over the past fifty years. The trend has been towards industrialization with emphasis on mechanical over natural, and capital-intensive rather than labour-intensive production, processing and distribution methods. The current food system is often oriented towards global trade rather than the satisfaction of local needs. A combination of hunger in Canadian society, loss of agricultural lands, limited economic viability of small and medium sized farms, lost economic opportunities, growing distance between producer and consumer, negative environmental impacts of an industrialized, long-distance food system (e.g. greater pollution and greenhouse gas emissions), and dissatisfaction with the current food system in general has propelled a range of community organizations and local governments to call for the creation of a more just and sustainable food system.
The Need for a More Just and Sustainable Food System
A just and sustainable food system is defined as one in which food production, processing, distribution and consumption are integrated to enhance the environmental, economic, social and nutritional health of a particular place [Figure 1]
Figure 1: Goals of a local / community food system.
Just and sustainable food systems encompass a wide range of issues associated with different jurisdictions ranging from the local (e.g. Farmers Markets, community gardens, food banks, community kitchens), to the regional / national (e.g. health, nutrition, agriculture, agri-food policy, natural resources, fisheries), to the global (e.g. international trade agreements, climate change impacts on agriculture). While recognizing the interconnections between food issues at different geographical scales, the focus of the Action Plan proposed in this report is the development of a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver, with a strategic focus on areas where the City has the capacity to act. While it is recognized that food system issues extend well beyond the level of the municipality, the focus on the City's role should be understood as an important component of a more encompassing strategy that will necessarily involve partnerships with other stakeholders and levels of government, but is firmly rooted within the City's existing responsibilities.
Local Context: Food as a Central Issue for Municipal Governments
While some of the resources and policy tools necessary to create a just and sustainable food system fall outside of the jurisdiction of Canadian municipalities, there is a growing trend towards local governments having direct and immediate impacts on food-related concerns ranging from poverty and food security, to community economic development and environmental protection.
The research of the Task Force indicates that for local governments, the most effective tool in creating a just and sustainable food system is an urban food policy, or Food Action Plan. This includes the resources and funding necessary to ensure long-term sustainability. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, urban food policy, or a Food Action Plan, can be understood as a set of goals, objectives, strategies or programs designed to improve access of urban households to stable supplies of good quality food through efficient, hygienic, healthy and environmentally sound food supply and distribution systems.
Examples of key areas of concern for an urban food policy include issues related to the food supply to cities, urban food distribution, and health and the environment. An urban food policy should be formulated within a defined timeframe and in close collaboration with concerned stakeholders. An urban food policy should guide cities in the use of resources under their control. A key goal of all urban food policy initiatives is that they should help recover any costs associated with program efforts.
Although still an innovative policy area for local governments in Canada and elsewhere, the advantages and opportunities that accrue directly to cities as a result of food policy are numerous. Food system experts Garrett and Feenstra describe some of the benefits as follows:
"A just and sustainable local food system offers an opportunity to reclaim a larger portion of the food dollar through innovative direct marketing, local processing and other value added activities; consumers develop opportunities to reconnect with their food supply; and communities gain opportunities to strengthen their social and economic health by creating meaningful jobs and recirculating social and financial capital locally."
Canadian cities such as Toronto, Ontario; Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; and Kamloops, British Columbia, already benefit from municipally-supported food policies and / or food policy councils. The City of Toronto's Food Policy Council has been in existence since 1990. Their achievements include policy and programming initiatives to reduce the need for food banks; initiatives to promote composting of food wastes; the promotion of urban agriculture; a healthy food delivery system for low-income citizens; and research on a food-related local economic development strategy for Toronto, just to name a few.
The City of Prince Albert has adopted a Food Charter that clearly outlines a vision for the future of the kind of food security the city aims to achieve. The Charter outlines possible actions including creating more community kitchens, increasing access to food programs by seniors, making better use of vacant urban land for community gardens, allowing year round farmer's markets and providing free public transit to people to ensure access to healthy, affordable retail food outlets.
In Kamloops, one of the main goals of the Food Policy Council is to provide nutritious and affordable food to all citizens. To achieve this goal, the Kamloops Food Policy Council encourages initiatives aimed at local food self-reliance such as community kitchens and community gardens, the Organic Food coop, and the Kamloops Farmers Market.
Even without a coordinated food policy, the City of Vancouver provides funding to a wide range of activities related to urban food policy. In August 2003, an inventory of food-related programs, services and projects currently provided and/or supported by the City of Vancouver (including the Park Board and School Board) was undertaken (previously distributed). Highlights include the following:
Inner City Child Care Sustaining Grants: Food Supplements
Support through community services grants to neighbourhood-based organizations that provide food programs
Vancouver Agreement Food Task Team
· Quest Outreach Society - Feasibility Studies
· Collingwood Neighbourhood House - Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute
· Strathcona Community Association - Before and After School Food Program
· REACH Community Health Centre - Good Food Box
· Lower Mainland Food Council - Food Action Workshop
· Network #2 Community Services Society - Families in Action
· Vancouver Food Providers Coalition - Capacity Enhancement Project
The City's interest in, and support of, food system issues is also evident through a number of other initiatives. For example, in recognition of the importance of environmentally responsible urban agriculture, November 2003 was proclaimed City Farmer Month by Mayor Larry Campbell. The non-profit organization City Farmer runs the City's compost and waterwise demonstration garden, the City's natural yard care promotion and the GVRD's regional compost hotline. Another example can be found in the form of new partnerships that are being forged between the City Vancouver and local universities on food security issues (e.g. The Social Planning Department is currently working with a UBC class of over 200 agricultural sciences students on neighbourhood-based food system research in Vancouver).
The adoption of the Food Action Plan proposed in this report will coordinate, maximize and expand the benefits that result from food-related programs and services already provided and / or supported by the City of Vancouver. In addition, the proposed Food Action Plan builds on the considerable expertise of community-based organizations that have been developing and delivering food-related programs and services in Vancouver for over a decade. In order to better understand the history of the City of Vancouver's involvement with food policy, a short overview is provided below.
The City of Vancouver's Involvement with Food Policy Including the Role of Community Groups and Other Stakeholders
Discussions about the desirability of a coordinated Food Policy for the City of Vancouver have been taking place for over ten years. In 1990, nutritionists in the Vancouver Health Department initiated internal discussions about the need for a Food Policy. Issues discussed included local food security, the production and supply of adequate quality foods and people's ability to acquire them.
Through local networking with other agencies, the nutritionists expanded their discussions to include agricultural land sustainability, the Buy BC First program, food support programs and nutrition education programs.
By 1993, these meetings became formalized and the Vancouver Food Policy Coalition (VFPC) was created. Members included FarmFolk/CityFolk, Vancouver Health Department, Vancouver Social Planning, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Reach Community Health Centre, Chinese Cultural Centre, BC Dieticians and Nutritionists Association, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the Council Marketing Boards of BC.
In August 1995, Vancouver's Medical Health Officer reported to Council on the Food Policy discussions and plans for the future. In October of the same year, the Medical Health Officer informed Council of the existence of the Vancouver Food Policy Coalition and their discussions about generating a Food Policy for the City of Vancouver.
In 1996, the functions of the Vancouver Health Department (health promotion, prevention, seniors' health, continuing care and wellness) became a provincial responsibility. Even in the absence of a City-administered Health Department, discussions about community-based food policy initiatives continued. Much of the work took place under the auspices of the Vancouver Food Policy Organization. At the same time, a number of pre-existing food-related programs and services were delivered through various City departments.
Vancouver School Board & Vancouver Park Board
Over the past decade the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Park Board have both played important roles in developing and maintaining food-related initiatives at the local level. For example, the Vancouver School Board continues to deliver school breakfast and lunch programs (funded by the provincial Ministry for Children and Family Development), while the Vancouver Park Board has played a key role in community gardens.
Vancouver Agreement Food Task Team
The Vancouver Agreement was struck in the year 2000 by the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and the federal government. It represents a commitment to work together to support sustainable economic, social and community development in Vancouver. Although the agreement affects the entire city, the initial focus of work is in the Downtown Eastside. The Vancouver Agreement Food Task Team is a group whose mandate is to improve the coordination and distribution for low cost / crisis food with a first focus in the Downtown Eastside, but also aiming to balance services in all Vancouver communities.
Over the past decade, a wide range of community organizations have been instrumental in continuing to develop and deliver food-related programs and services in Vancouver. Some of these groups belong to the Lower Mainland Food Coalition (formerly the Vancouver Food Policy Organization and Lower Mainland Food Council). The Lower Mainland Food Coalition (LMFC) emerged from an initial meeting held December 9, 2002 to which groups and organizations concerned about food policy were invited. From this meeting, a core group came forward and met regularly during the spring. The group created a mandate for what they wanted to achieve, plans and goals for an action, and a background/briefing document, Closer to Home: A Recipe for a Community-Based Food Organization. The LMFC's core group of members included farmers, nutritionists, media, researchers, and citizens working on food issues in the community. Some of these people were previous VFPO Directors and most had worked in the food community for years. To date, the LMFC has received support and funding from Health Canada, the Vancouver Agreement Food Task Team, and Growing Green.
On June 12 & 13, 2003, the LMFC organized a two-day workshop in Vancouver to create an Action Plan for a community-based food council. The LMFC understood one function of a community-based food council to be the development of innovative, practical strategies to facilitate and co-ordinate the growing number of food-related programs from community gardens to anti-hunger initiatives. Another function of a food council was seen to be as a catalyst or broker for new channels of collaboration between government and business around local food.
The City of Vancouver Council motion of July 8, 2003 signalled a new opportunity to work proactively towards the goal of developing a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver.
Again, it is important to acknowledge that some of the resources and policy tools necessary to address food system issues fall outside of the jurisdiction of Canadian municipalities. The Action Plan being proposed in this report focuses on those areas where the City of Vancouver has the capacity to act, while identifying areas where collaboration with other levels of government, other municipalities and other stakeholders will be necessary.
THE PROPOSED ACTION PLAN FOR A MORE JUST AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF VANCOUVER
The proposed Food Action Plan that Council is being asked to approve is made up of three components:
1. CREATE A VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
It is recommended that Council approve the creation of a Vancouver Food Policy Council with a mandate to act as an advisory and policy development body. The aim of the Food Policy Council will be to improve the health and security of the local food system. Because of the strong existing links to communities and community organizations, it is recommended that the Chair or Co-Chairs of the Vancouver Food Policy Council report to the Director of the Social Planning Department. A connection with the Office of Sustainability will also be established.
A number of structural options were reviewed as possibilities for the Vancouver Food Policy Council. Because of its collaborative approach, and the support and stability provided by a formal place within the City system, the Food Policy Task Force recommends a structure for the Vancouver Food Policy Council that most closely resembles the Toronto Food Policy Council model (local government staff with a citizen board of advisors). This model draws strengths from community expertise, as well as the City's considerable experience in facilitating partnerships and enabling communities to achieve their goals.
The Vancouver Food Policy Council will be made up of 15 - 25 members representing a range of sectors from across the food system continuum (e.g. nutritionists, food processors, anti-hunger advocates, school system representatives, food-related non-profits, wholesalers, farmers, educators, land trust representatives, academics, consultants, etc.).
The terms of reference for the Vancouver Food Policy Council will be finalized in consultation with the Food Policy Task Force upon approval of the proposed Action Plan by City Council (including vision and mandate; the sectors to be represented; roles and responsibilities of members, Chair, sub-committees, etc.).
The Vancouver Food Policy Council members will be appointed by the Vancouver Food Policy Task Force in accordance with the terms of reference. This will constitute the final duty of the Vancouver Food Policy Task Force before its dissolution.
After initial appointments to the Food Policy Council have been made, a membership sub-committee will be formed whose responsibility will be to track membership, and administer appointments and replacements.
The work of the Vancouver Food Policy Council will be supported and facilitated by two new City staff positions (as further outlined below).
To ensure strong communication with City Council, the Vancouver Food Policy Council will have two City Councillors as liaisons.
1b. Vision and Mandate of the Food Policy Council
As indicated above, the vision and mandate of the Vancouver Food Policy Council will be finalized in consultation with the Food Policy Task Force. Broadly speaking, it is proposed that the Vancouver Food Policy Council act as advisory and policy development body that aims to improve the health and security of the local food system. The Food Policy Council will help community groups concerned with food issues to connect with each other and relevant public bodies. Together, staff and Food Policy Council members will serve as catalysts for addressing food-related issues, with a particular focus on areas where the City of Vancouver has the capacity to act. The Food Policy Council will also help identify those areas where partnerships will be required to achieve food system goals. A focused sample of possible initiatives is provided below:
Production: Creating and promoting community gardens; promoting rooftop gardens; promoting urban agriculture; economic development opportunities linked to sustainable local agriculture; buy local campaigns.
Processing: Creating a coordinated food processing and distribution centre; studies on local food processing; supporting community kitchens; commercial kitchen incubator projects.
Distribution and access: Promoting food co-ops and buying clubs; coordinating emergency food systems; creating and supporting local farmers markets; volunteer programs for coordinating emergency food distribution; food sector job skills training for low income people.
Consumption: Provide assistance to the School Board, when requested, in meeting their established school nutrition goals; public education on food security and insecurity; infant and child nutrition projects; public forums on food security issues.
Recycling of productive wastes: Promoting food composting; using creative approaches to waste reduction, recycling and composting.
Policy: Discussion papers on food policy issues; advocacy campaigns.
2. INTERIM WORK PLAN: SPECIFIC ACTION ITEMS
In preparation for linkages with the work of the Food Policy Council once it is established, it is recommended that the City proceed with the proposed interim work plan outlined below. This work plan is the first stage of a more comprehensive long-term set of actions that will be developed by the Vancouver Food Policy Council and staff upon approval of the Action Plan by City Council.
The action items in the interim work plan have been chosen because they provide immediate opportunities to coordinate, maximize and expand upon food-related programs and services already provided and / or supported by the City of Vancouver, as well as those under development. The action items should not be understood as the only, or the most urgent actions to be addressed in the process of creating a more just and sustainable food system for Vancouver, but as important building blocks that set the stage for a more comprehensive approach to City-led food system planning that will continue once the Food Policy Council is established.
The interim action plan has the added benefit of building on the considerable expertise of community-based organizations that have experience developing and delivering programs and services in all of the areas listed below. The five action items are as follows:
2a. Action: Conduct a Community Food System Assessment
One of the fundamental building blocks required for informed decision-making and long term planning is a food system assessment of the City of Vancouver. A food system assessment can be described an overview of the way a particular place grows, processes, distributes and consumes its food. A food system assessment examines the current state of the food system, including gaps and community needs, and identifies the resources, services and systems that are needed for the creation of a just and sustainable food system. Food system assessments help determine priorities that will lead to early successes and financially prudent actions.
Some information about various elements of Vancouver's food system has already been documented. For example, the inventory of food-related programs, services and projects currently provided and/or supported by the City of Vancouver (including the Park Board and School Board) provides a good starting point for the food system assessment. A number of community-based inventories and reports also exist. However, to date, all existing information has not been collated and analyzed using a comprehensive food systems analysis approach. There are also gaps in information that have not been addressed. Consequently, there is currently no comprehensive picture of assets and gaps in the City of Vancouver's food system.
A number of communities in Canada and the United States have already undertaken community food system assessments so this action item will draw upon existing precedents and models. It is important to note that, by definition, a community food system assessment features a high level of public involvement. Food system assessments commonly use the following types of assessment categories:
· History, and culture of the local food system and the economic, social and political trends that have led to the current food system
· Household / individual food security
· Current agricultural system, including production and labour issues
· The Food retail sector including direct marketing opportunities
· Local food processing and value-added capabilities
· Local food and agriculture organization and institutions and their projects
· Food/agriculture economic development
· Community food production resources
· Local food, agriculture and land use policies
· Under-utilized land and space for urban agriculture
· Environmental impacts (e.g. GHG emissions, ecological footprint)
Outcomes: The assessment will provide a comprehensive audit and analysis of the current state of Vancouver's food system including assets and gaps. It will include quantifiable measures and qualitative information, and will be used as a planning tool to facilitate partnerships and collaborations between groups who aim to eliminate barriers to food security. It will result in recommendations for future food security initiatives. It will assist the City of Vancouver, in partnership with the Food Policy Council, to determine food policy and planning directions that are within its jurisdiction, and those areas where partnerships will be required to achieve food security goals. The assessment will be undertaken in partnership with UBC's Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and the community.
2b. Action: Feasibility Study For The Creation Of Rooftop Gardens
The second action item calls for a feasibility study of rooftop gardens on residential and industrial buildings. The aim will be to examine the opportunities for facilitating, where possible, the inclusion of rooftop gardens on flat-roofed residential developments, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings. Opportunities to facilitate the development of rooftop gardens already being considered in new developments such as Southeast False Creek will be pursued. This action item will involve investigating possible obstacles to the development of new rooftop gardens, as well as possible changes to zoning regulations and City building standards. The feasibility study will examine potential issues relating to rooftop gardens including the structural load capacities of buildings, the risk of water damage to the building, and the types and locations of buildings most suitable for rooftop gardens.
Outcomes: Although some rooftop gardens already exist in Vancouver, few appear to be used for the express purpose of growing food. By studying the feasibility of increasing the number of rooftop gardens and facilitating their development where possible, Vancouver may benefit from the opportunity to use its most under-utilized urban space to grow food.
A host of additional benefits will result from rooftop gardening. For example, the plants grown on rooftop gardens help transform carbon dioxide into oxygen. Rooftop plants take advantage of the heat output of a building which can extend the growing season by as much as three weeks. Rooftop gardens improve building insulation and reduce heating costs. Rooftop gardens help absorb rainfall, which in turn reduces the pressure on the City's storm-water and sewer system. They also make possible the capturing and re-use of rainwater. Other environmental benefits include reducing the heat island effect; reducing cooling and heating needs; and producing less CO2 and energy use; allowing greater energy conservation. Social benefits include creating spaces where people meet for social activities and enjoy the common interest of gardening. Economically, rooftop gardens represent a potential new growth industry.
2c. Action: Facilitate The Creation Of Community Gardens
The third action item calls for the creation of more community gardens on under-utilized City land (other than park space), and investigating the possibility of providing spaces to grow food in private developments. This will involve creating an inventory of unused space suitable for community gardens and other forms of urban agriculture. This action item will also involve reviewing landscape requirements for private developments.
The City of Vancouver has approximately 580 community garden plots in 12 operating community gardens. Since the Park Board approved a community gardens policy 1995, additional community gardens on City land have been established or expanded. Even with the notable successes of the existing policy, it is clear that there is a great untapped opportunity to further develop community gardens and other forms of urban agriculture in Vancouver. A number of Canadian cities make far better use of their opportunities for urban agriculture. For example, a recent study indicates that the City of Montreal has 75 garden sites, containing 6,654 allotment plots, which are gardened by approximately 10,000 residents (1.5% of the city's adult population). Furthermore, the City of Montreal has created an official zoning designation for 13 garden sites.
Outcomes: By increasing the number of community gardens on under-utilized City land, the City can benefit from a number of cost savings. Potential savings include reduced stormwater management costs, reduced waste removal fees (by using composted organic wastes), and possible reductions in emissions and transportation costs (food travels shorter distances to consumers, consumers travel shorter distances to grow or purchase it).
Community gardening and other forms of urban agriculture also provide a number of positive social, educational and environmental impacts in neighbourhoods including increased social interaction; intergenerational interaction; providing an inexpensive way for people with low incomes to grow food; educational opportunities to learn about nature in a city environment; and decreasing some of the energy consumed and pollution produced in providing food to city residents.
2d. Action: Facilitiate The Creation Of Farmers' Markets
This action item calls for changes that would facilitate the creation farmers' markets on City owned (and other) land. Currently, the Vancouver Park Board gives annual approval to a variety of organizers and non-profit societies for the use of parkland to conduct events, subject to conditions established by the Board and, with all arrangements to the satisfaction of the General Manager. On March 10, 1997, the East Vancouver Farmers' Market Society received approval from the Park Board to conduct a Farmers' market on the Trout Lake Community Centre parking lot from 9:00am - 2:00pm on twenty consecutive Saturdays from May 31st until October 11, 1997.
In 2000, the East Vancouver Farmers' Market Society changed its name to "Your Local Farmers' Market Society" to allow markets outside of East Vancouver to feel included in their mandate. The Society's goal is to create farmers' markets within an urban setting that are a regular community event focusing on and celebrating the growing, harvesting and sharing of local food. In addition to the Trout Lake Farmers' Market, the Society also hosts a farmers' market at the Nat Bailey Stadium parking lot and in the West End on Saturdays from 10am - 2pm at Lord Roberts School. The Trout Lake and Nat Bailey Farmers' Markets apply for Special Event permits through the Park Board, while the West End Farmers' Market, located on Vancouver School Board property, applied for a development permit to change the zoning in 2003. From 1990 - 2002, organizers requested and received `non-enforcement' of the zoning.
Currently, the goal of creating more farmers' markets in the City of Vancouver is hindered by a combination of zoning regulations, health regulations and other requirements. The aim of this action item is to seek creative ways to increase the quality and number of farmers' markets in Vancouver by carefully reviewing the regulations cited above.
Outcomes: Farmers' Markets provide an excellent opportunity to encourage small, local family farms and other food producers, many of whom are organic. They stimulate the local economy by attracting shoppers to neighbourhoods they would otherwise not frequent and provide opportunities for small scale producers, urban gardeners, and local artisans. Farmers' Markets have an important community building function, adding great vitality to the public realm. Farmers' Markets also make an important contribution to the local sustainability of the region through the support of local agriculture keeping farmland productive and in turn preventing farmland from being sold for development purposes. Health benefits include an increased consumption of fresh, locally grown, picked-when-ripe fruits and vegetables, many of which are varieties lost due to hybridization to capitalize on long-distance shipping. Recent studies have shown that produce picked closer to ripeness has higher nutritional value than that which is picked early and shipped thousands of miles. The value of farmers' markets cannot be underestimated.
2e. Action: Facilitate The Creation Of A Coordinated Food Processing And Distribution Facility For Low Income Citizens
This action item has as its goal the creation of a coordinated food processing and distribution facility to house multiple food related organizations that have the shared objective of improving food security for low income citizens. There are a number of local organizations working to respond to an escalating need to provide no-cost and low-cost food to Vancouver's most vulnerable citizens (e.g. Food Bank, Quest Outreach Society, UsMoms, Good Food Box). Securing the space and resources required to collect, process and distribute food is a growing challenge.
This action item will involve investigating the possibility of providing affordable, long-term appropriate facilities for community food security organizations to operate under one roof, enabling groups to share resources, and encouraging new program partnerships among tenants.
Outcomes: The need for emergency and longer-term food provision in the City of Vancouver is escalating. There are a number of groups in the city who would benefit tremendously from the synergy created by coordinating programs and services in one facility. In addition to the benefits derived from economies of scale, sharing resources, and developing new program partnerships, such a coordinated facility would also provide a number of job and skills training opportunities.
3. IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT SYSTEM
To ensure implementation and long-term sustainability of the proposed action plan, the following supports are recommended:
The single most important factor that will make the Vancouver Food Policy Council different from what already exists in the community is the creation of dedicated City staff positions to support food system goals. Food Policy Task Force's recommendations, combined with those of food policy experts, and the most current research in the field signals that the most effective Food Policy Councils have dedicated full-time staff to ensure the success and sustainability of the Food Policy Council's work. Research shows that most community-based food policy organizations lead a tenuous existence due to a lack of funding and long-term staff support. Toronto's Food Policy Council provides an example of what can be accomplished when staff resources are provided. The proposed Food Action Plan calls for two positions:
· One Regular Full Time Food Policy Coordinator, subject to classification by the General Manager of Human Resources, at an estimated annual cost of $73,900, with a mandate to act as an on-going catalyst for leading, coordinating and facilitating both the existing work of the City on food system issues and new policy work in partnership with community groups, the Vancouver Agreement, higher levels of government, Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Coastal Health, and other stakeholders. The source of funds subject to 2004 budget considerations.
· One Temporary Regular Full time Social Planner I for a period of two years, subject to classification by the General Manager of Human Resources, at an approximate annual cost of $67,900 with an mandate to internally coordinate and implement both existing and new food-related programs and services within the City's jurisdiction. The source of funds subject to 2004 budget considerations.
Staff will explore supplementary sources of funding for both positions.
The responsibilities of each position are summarized below
|
POSITION |
RESPONSIBILITY |
|
Food Policy Coordinator (1 FTE) - focus partnerships & collaborations |
· Liaison between the City and the Food Policy Council. · Supports the work of the Food Policy Council. · Act as catalyst for issues both within and beyond the City government. · Develops partnerships with other stakeholders and levels of government. · Seeks project fund matching opportunities. · Finds and implements cost-effective ideas. |
|
Food System Planner (1 FTE) - focus on coordination and implementation |
· Using a food systems approach, the Food Policy Social Planner monitors and develops food-related programs, services and projects currently provided and/or supported by the City of Vancouver (including Park Board and School Board). · Analyzes the feasibility of some of the proposed actions that are within the City's jurisdiction. Acts as catalyst between City departments. · Coordinates a Staff Support Group on food policy issues. · Works closely with the Food Policy Coordinator and community groups. · Develops policy. · Conducts research on food policy issues. |
Because of the strong existing links to communities and community organizations, it is recommended that both staff positions report to the Director of Social Planning. However, the Food Policy Coordinator will also `report' to the Food Policy Council in the sense that this position will act as the main liaison between the Food Policy Council and City, bringing ideas back and forth, and facilitating implementation where possible. The Food Policy Coordinator will report back annually to City Council. The Food Policy Task Force may consult with the two City Council Liaisons more frequently if needed.
In order to provide adequate resources for outreach and information sharing, the proposed Action Plan includes an annual budget of $15,000, plus start up costs, managed by the Director of Social Planning, for the Food Policy Council for the planning and implementation of events incorporating outreach activities and information sharing, holding regular meetings in the community, and promoting awareness of food policy issues.
Staff recommend one regular full time Food Policy Coordinator, estimated at $73,900 per year plus an annual budget of $15,000 for program costs. Additionally, staff recommend a two-year program with funding for a temporary Social Planner I estimated at $67,900 per year to be managed by the Director of Social Planning. The total estimated annual cost, including salaries, fringe benefits, program costs and start up costs is $166,800 in fiscal 2004, $156,800 in 2005 and $88,900 thereafter. Source of funds subject to 2004 budget considerations.
In April 2002, Council approved the following definition of sustainability, and endorsed sustainability as a guiding principle for future development:
"A sustainable Vancouver is a community that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a place where people live, work, and prosper in a vibrant community of communities. In such a community sustainability is achieved through community participation and the reconciliation of short and long term economic, social, and ecological well-being."
The proposed Food Action Plan supports the social, environmental and economic goals embodied in the City's existing commitment to sustainability. A sustainable food policy protects and enhances the immediate and long-term well-being of the city by promoting health, nutrition, ecological responsibility, and community capacity building.
Furthermore, the implementation of the Food Action Plan will provide significant advances to upcoming City initiatives and commitments including the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Habitat Plus 30 Congress, both of which have strong sustainability agendas. As Vancouver takes centre stage during these important international events, we have the opportunity to showcase our leadership and innovation in the development of sustainable food practices.
On July 8, 2003, Council approved a motion supporting the development of a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver that fosters equitable food production, distribution and consumption; nutrition; community development and environmental health. To provide leadership in achieving this goal, a Food Policy Task Force was initiated. The purpose of this report was to recommend an Action Plan for creating a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver. The report outlined the components of the Action Plan and the resources needed to implement it. The strategic focus of the proposed Action Plan is on areas that fall within the jurisdiction of the City of Vancouver.
The adoption of the Food Action Plan proposed in this report will coordinate, maximize and expand the benefits that result from food-related programs and services already provided and/or supported by the City of Vancouver. In addition, the proposed Food Action Plan builds on the considerable expertise of community-based organizations that have been developing and delivering food-related programs and services in Vancouver for over a decade. The proposed Action Plan that Council is being asked to approve is made up of three components, as described in the body of the report:
Vancouver Food Policy Task Force Membership
ORGANIZATION |
CONTACT NAME |
A Loving Spoonful |
Sue Moen |
Association of Neighbourhood Houses of Greater Van. |
Lorraine Gerard |
BC Association of Farmers' Markets |
Don Parmenter |
BC Cooperative Association |
John Restakis |
BC Food Systems Network |
Cathleen Kneen |
Bishop's Restaurant |
John Bishop |
CR-FAIR |
Kathleen Gibson |
Chickpea Nutritional Consulting |
Paula Luther |
Citizen |
Mary Rawson |
City Farmer |
Mike Levenston |
City of Vancouver, City Council |
Councillor Tim Louis |
City of Vancouver, City Council |
Councillor Fred Bass |
City of Vancouver, City Council |
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth |
City of Vancouver, City Manager's Office |
Wendy Au |
City of Vancouver, DTES Community Devt Project |
Darren Kitchen |
City of Vancouver, Engineering Services |
Kevin Van Vliet |
City of Vancouver, Engineering Services |
Aby Sharma |
City of Vancouver, GM's office |
Jacquie Forbes-Roberts |
City of Vancouver, Housing Centre |
Judy Graves |
City of Vancouver, Non-Market Operations |
Ray Stensrud |
City of Vancouver, Planning |
Nathan Edelson |
City of Vancouver, Planning |
Cathy Buckham |
City of Vancouver, Planning Department |
Joyce Lee |
City of Vancouver, Social Planning |
Jeff Brooks |
City of Vancouver, Social Planning |
Mario Lee |
City of Vancouver, Social Planning |
Wendy Mendes |
City of Vancouver, Social Planning |
Kristina Bouris |
City of Vancouver, Social Planning Department |
Nadim Kara |
Community Nutrionist, Fraser Health Authority |
Susan LeGresley |
Community Nutrionist, VCH |
Corinne Eisler |
Community Nutrionist, VCH |
Ellie Schmidt |
Community Nutritionists Council of BC |
Deanna Tan |
Cook Studio |
James Kennedy |
Coquitlam Farmers Market |
Terri Evans |
DTES Community Kitchen |
Nicole Mireau |
Environmental Youth Alliance |
Susan Kurbis |
Environmental Youth Alliance |
Nadia Hedar |
Environmental Youth Alliance |
Hartley Rosen |
Environmental Youth Alliance |
Basil Reynolds |
Environmental Youth Alliance |
Leni Goggins |
Farm Folk/City Folk Society |
Heather Pritchard |
First United Church Mission |
Linda Ostrom |
Food Advocate |
Marja Kauppi |
Food and Agriculture Consultant |
Herb Barbolet |
Food Providers' Coalition |
Doug Aason |
Food Providers' Coalition |
John VanLuven |
Freelance Writer/ Producer |
André LaRivière |
Freelance Writer/ Researcher |
Vijay Cuddeford |
Friends of Aboriginal Health |
Gerald Amos |
Good Food Box |
Cheney Cawkwell |
Greater Vancouver Food Bank |
Cheryl Milton-Prepchuk |
Greater Vancouver Food Bank |
Arlene Kravitz |
Green Planet Enterprises |
Kirsten Utheim |
GVRD, Policy and Planning |
Susan Haid |
Happy Planet Foods Inc. |
Nancy Korva |
Health Canada, Population and Public Health Branch |
Denise Weber |
Healthy Eating Active Living |
Jessica Chenery |
Hello Foods Buying Club |
Cabot Lyford |
Holland Barrs Planning Group Inc. |
Robert Barrs |
instead of Carol Ranger, REACH |
Jonathan Woods |
Mennonite Central Committee (Kurdish Farming Project/Agricultural Options) |
Ronnie Van Wyk |
Mennonite Central Committee BC |
Wayne Bremner |
Ministry of Community, Aboriginal & Women's Services |
Remick Ho |
Natural Health Journalist |
Sandra Tonn |
NEVCO / Tradeworks |
Morgan Ashbridge |
PICS / SSAJE |
Ramesh Singal |
Potluck Café Society (Portland Café) |
Liz Lougheed Green |
QUEST Outreach Society |
Shelley Wells |
RayCam |
Stephanie Manning |
RayCam Community Centre & Network of East Vancouver Community Organizations (NEVCO) |
Steve Bouchard |
REACH Community Health Centre |
Carol Ranger |
Richmond Food Security Task Force |
Selena Schroeder |
Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project |
Mary Gazetas |
Small Potatoes Urban Delivery (SPUD) |
Graeme Scott |
Social Policy Consultant |
Fern Jeffries |
Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) |
Deming Smith |
Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) |
Ivan Bulic |
South Fraser Health Region, White Rock Public Health-Food for Kids Coalition |
Barb Seed |
South Fraser Health Region-Food for Kids Coalition |
Pam Kheong |
St. James Community Services Society |
Kathy Stringer |
St. James Community Services Society |
Nujin Rana |
Stone Soup Festival |
Tara Belcourt |
Street Church |
Randy Barnetson |
Surrey Food Bank |
Erin Mullett |
The Dugout |
Jackie Smith |
The Land Conservancy of BC, Conservation Partners Program |
Ramona Scott |
The Lower Mainland Food Coalition |
Devorah Kahn/ Carol Ranger |
Toronto Food Policy Council |
Dr. Wayne Roberts |
Tradeworks |
Bob Gilson |
Tri-Cities Homeless Task Force |
Kevan Oxley |
UBC Faculty of Agriculture / Brunetti & Associates Food Systems Consultants |
Tony Brunetti |
UBC Farm |
Derek Masselink |
UBC Food Security Studies |
Tara Molloy |
UBC School of Social Work |
Graham Riches |
United Way of the Lower Mainland |
Louella Mathias |
US Moms |
Shantelle Allard |
US Moms |
Karen Sabourin |
US Moms |
Martin Frost |
US Moms |
Danielle Melchior |
VanCity |
Sid Sawyer |
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society |
Mark Handley |
Vancouver Board of Park and Recreation |
Liane McKenna |
Vancouver Board of Park and Recreation, Commissioner |
Eva Riccius |
Vancouver Coastal Health |
Nick Losito |
Vancouver Coastal Health, Environmental Health |
Richard Taki |
Vancouver Coastal Health, Evergreen Centre, Healthiest Babies Possible |
Karin Schreurs |
Vancouver Coastal Health, Evergreen Centre, Nutrition |
Shefali Raja |
Vancouver Community Kitchens |
Diane Collis |
Vancouver Foundation |
Sarah Chilvers |
Vancouver Fruit Tree Project |
Jen Harrison |
Vancouver School Board |
Trudy Douglas |
Vancouver School Board, Trustee |
Andrea Reimer |
VCN |
Andrew Bondfield |
West End Farmer's Market |
Stephanie Martin |
Your Local Farmers' Market Society |
Devorah Kahn |