Vancouver City Council

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE

Facilitator - Nathan Edelson

Members - Basil Reynolds (Environmental Youth Alliance)

- Leni Goggins (Environmental Youth Alliance)

- Shelley Wells (Quest)

- Doug Aason (Salvation Army)

- John Van Luven (St. James Community Services/Food Providers Coalition)

- Susan Haid (GVRD)

- Louella Mathias (United Way)

- Mike Levenston (City Farmer)

- Grace Coquia

- Deanna Tan (Community Nutritionists Council of BC)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

Examples of the City of Vancouver's Current Involvement with Food System Issues and Possible Short-Term Action Items

Stage of the Urban Food System	How is the City of Vancouver currently involved in this issue?	Examples of new short-term actions that could be undertaken in this area	Who else would need to be involved?
Food Production	· By-laws (e.g. noise) · Community Gardens on City and Parks property · Cool Vancouver Agricultural and Food Policy recommendations · City's Environmental Grants (garden projects) · Green Streets - some vegetable gardens · Grow Natural - natural yard care program · Fruit and nut trees on City property · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: rooftop, school and community gardens, fruit trees · Van Dusen Botanical Gardens horticulture education program · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (commercial, industrial)	· Develop programs to harvest food from public and private spaces before expanding food growing. Could be tied to employment and/or feeding hungry people. · Develop "green box" program for compost and for edible fruits and vegetables. · Expand Green Streets program to encourage vegetable gardens; CONCERN - vegetables should not be grown near traffic. SUPPORT - Promote vegetable gardens on city-owned land away from traffic. _ Facilitate the creation of gardens for schools. Involve students in growing/harvesting and preparing food; use this food in cafeteria meals; integrate this project into educational curriculum. _ Promote the planting of backyard fruit trees. Build on the work of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project. _ Develop an "Adopt a Fruit Tree Program" to plant, maintain and harvest fruit trees on public and private land. · Encourage rooftop gardens for new developments. Tie this to other environmental initiatives (reduced drainage of water; heating/cooling energy conservation, etc.) Initiate pilot programs on city-owned buildings, including schools and community centres. · Investigate opportunity for awarding LEED green building innovation credits for on-site food production and landscaping.	Residents Residents Developers and architects LEED, local developers and architects
Food Distribution Food Access Food Access- children Commercial Food Operations Farmer's Markets	· Carnegie Centre Kitchen · Gathering Place cafeteria · Evelyne Saller Centre cafeteria · Neighbourhood House food provision programs · Potluck Café Society · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for 9 food security projects · City's Childcare Grants support child nutrition programs · Vancouver School Board breakfast and lunch programs · School gardens · Food service leases for concessions and restaurants on Parks property · Food service leases for concessions at City facilities · License by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses, vending machines, peddling · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial) · Permits for Farmers' Markets · Produce Stand Permits · Street Vending Permits · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: plaza for community market · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial)	· Establish a local-serving food store in low income communities. CONCERN - Most group members supported this proposal. However, some members felt there are a large number of services in the DTES and that services should not be expanded in that community; priority should be given to other communities. · Review CityPlan visions to include the need for affordable food stores, community kitchens, etc. · Complete an inventory of food distribution facilities throughout the city. Involve Youth Mappers in developing the inventory. · Determine the potential demand for food distribution and processing facilities throughout the city. · Determine potential resources that the city has at its disposal for food distribution and processing facilities throughout the city. · Facilitate affordable, long-term, appropriate facilities for community food security organizations. Apply government incentives where and when needed. Facilitate community partnerships among potential tenants. · Create a nutritional food policy for schools and school food programs. · Create school policies re: vending machines; ensure healthy choices such as water fountains. · Give priority to purchasing and growing organic foods for children's meals. · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for school food programs. Connect school meal preparation with locally farmed produce (e.g. program piloted by Barbara Crocker). · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for City-run food outlets. · Put rooftop gardens at City Hall and at the Woodwards building. · Create incentives for private land owners to use under-utilized land for Farmers' Markets and community gardens. · Implement a "Buy BC First" policy at City Hall. · Encourage private businesses to "Buy BC First". · Encourage private businesses to donate to food runners and other free food reclaimers with incentives such as reduced business license fees, etc. · Facilitate additional farmers' markets on City property, if it can be demonstrated that existing farmers markets won't be harmed. (will there be enough farmers to have stalls; will there be enough customers)	Community food organizations Community food organizations Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers Food suppliers Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers' market organizations, vendors, local residents and businesses
Food Processing	· Neighbourhood House kitchen facilities · License by-laws for food manufacturing · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for nine food security projects in 2003 · Waste Discharge Permits for commercial food processors · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial) · Food processing centre	_ Create curb-side "Fruit Box" pick-up program similar to blue boxes (e.g. three pick-ups every Fall of extra fruit from private fruit tree owners). High school students could pick fruit as a part of their community service requirement. Fruit could be distributed though the Food Bank. _ Carry out analysis of the costs and benefits and consider facilitating processing of reclaimed foods to low income families. _ Encourage processing of the region's agricultural products; use city's industrial lands. _ Assess economic viability of commercial food processing plants. _ Encourage the development of food pantries and other food storage facilities for residents. _ Develop an emergency food strategy as part of disaster planning. _ Encourage small scale food processors association to buy local agricultural products. _ Support initiatives similar to the Eco Industrial Network which pilots programs for using the outputs/"wastes" of one business as the inputs for other businesses. _ Facilitate the establishment of a centralized food preparation facility for low cost and free food programs.
Food Consumption	· Community celebrations, supported by the City's "Other Grants" program · Picnic tables and areas in parks · Licence by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial)	· "Buy BC first" consumer education program. · Expand good quality free meal programs in low income neighbourhoods. · Encourage commercial food stores to specially label local foods grown/processed by sustainable practices. · Encourage food stores and restaurants to promote local agricultural products (advertise; reduced cost). · Support ethnic food festivals.	GVRD, farmers, businesses
Recycling of productive wastes	· Compost Demonstration Garden and Water Conservation Site at City Farmer · Collection of leaf and yard waste for composting · Compost Hotline · Collection of recyclable food packaging (bottles, paper, cans) · Home, apartment and worm composters · Regulation of wastewater discharge	· Examine economic development opportunities related to eco-industrial networking (e.g. integrated composting, greenhouse and aquaculture closed-loop system). · Place composting and food reclaiming containers near public garbage containers.	Downtown Business Association; Food Providers' Network, Parks Board;

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE -

Facilitator - Wendy Mendes

Members - Sue Moen (A Loving Spoonful)

- Ellie Schmidt (Community Nutrionist, Vancouver Coastal Health)

- Danielle Melchior (Us Moms)

- Diane Collis (Vancouver Community Kitchen)

- Shefali Raja (Nutritionist, Evergreen Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health)

- Trudy Douglas (Staff Representative, Vancouver School Board)

- Arlene Kravitz (Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority ? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

Priority short term actions:

a. Facilitate group transportation to appropriate, affordable grocery shopping for low-income downtown residents.

b. Increase the City's food distribution capacity: Build on the existing "Food to You" program. Every Friday a bag of food is delivered to about 20 medically (physically or mentally) home-bound people. Food is provided by the Food Bank. Volunteers do the driving and delivery. The structure of this program exists. It should be expanded.

c. Facilitate additional Farmers' Markets on City property (especially downtown).

d. Create incentives for private land owners to use under-utilized land for Farmers' Markets and community gardens.

e. Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for school food programs. Connect school meal preparation with locally farmed produce (e.g. program piloted by Barbara Crocker).

f. Create an inventory / database of under-utilized food-related resources (e.g. human resources, free and low-cost food).

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

Longer term priority actions:

_ Create a multi-purpose / multi-tenant food processing and distribution centre.
_ Further expand the "Food to You" program by finding a facility where people can prepare food into meals for delivery. This will help food recipients who may not have cooking facilities where they live. A job training / skill building component can be incorporated in this phase of development.

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

Examples of the City of Vancouver's Current Involvement with Food System Issues and Possible Short-Term Action Items

Stage of the Urban Food System	How is the City of Vancouver currently involved in this issue?	Examples of new short-term actions that could be undertaken in this area	Who else would need to be involved?
Food Production	· By-laws (e.g. noise) · Community Gardens on City and Parks property · Cool Vancouver Agricultural and Food Policy recommendations · City's Environmental Grants (garden projects) · Green Streets - some vegetable gardens · Grow Natural - natural yard care program · Fruit and nut trees on City property · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: rooftop, school and community gardens, fruit trees · Van Dusen Botanical Gardens horticulture education program · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (commercial, industrial)	· Expand Green Streets program to encourage vegetable gardens. · Facilitate the creation of gardens for schools. ·Promote the planting of backyard fruit trees. Build on the work of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project. · Encourage rooftop gardens for new developments. · Investigate opportunity for awarding LEED green building innovation credits for on-site food production.	Residents Residents Developers, architects LEED, local developers and architects
Food Distribution Food Access Food Access- children Commercial Food Operations Farmer's Markets	· Carnegie Centre Kitchen · Gathering Place cafeteria · Evelyne Saller Centre cafeteria · Neighbourhood House food provision programs · Potluck Café Society · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for 9 food security projects · City's Childcare Grants support child nutrition programs · Vancouver School Board breakfast and lunch programs · School gardens · Food service leases for concessions and restaurants on Parks property · Food service leases for concessions at City facilities · License by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses, vending machines, peddling · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial) · Permits for Farmers' Markets · Produce Stand Permits · Street Vending Permits · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: plaza for community market · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial)	· Ensure a food distribution component in the City's Emergency Response Plans. · Facilitate group transportation to appropriate, affordable grocery shopping for low-income downtown residents. · Increase the City's food distribution capacity: Build on the existing "Food to You" program. Every Friday a bag of food is delivered to about 20 medically (physically or mentally) home-bound people. Food is provided by the Food Bank. Volunteers do the driving and delivery. The structure of this program exists. It should be expanded. · Establish a local-serving food store in the DTES. · Create an inventory / database of under-utilized food-related resources (e.g. human resources, free and low-cost food). · Facilitate affordable, long-term, appropriate facilities for community food security organizations. · Create a nutritional food policy for schools and school food programs. · Create school policies re: vending machines. · Expand the VSB's "Healthy Bag Lunch" Program. Find a sponsor for food. Create bag lunches in teaching kitchens. · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for school food programs. Connect school meal preparation with locally farmed produce (e.g. program piloted by Barbara Crocker). · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for City-run food outlets. · Implement a "Buy BC first" policy at City Hall. · Facilitate additional farmers' markets on City property. · Create incentives for private land owners to use under-utilized land for Farmers' Markets and community gardens.	Community food organizations Community food organizations Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers Food suppliers Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers' market organizations, vendors, local residents and businesses
Food Processing	· Neighbourhood House kitchen facilities · License by-laws for food manufacturing · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for nine food security projects in 2003 · Waste Discharge Permits for commercial food processors · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial) · Food processing centre	·Create curb-side "Fruit Box" pick-up program similar to blue boxes (e.g. three pick-ups every Fall of extra fruit from private fruit tree owners). High school students could pick fruit as a part of their community service requirement. Fruit could be distributed though the Food Bank.
Food Consumption	· Community celebrations, supported by the City's "Other Grants" program · Picnic tables and areas in parks · Licence by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial)	· "Buy BC first" consumer education program. · Make the use of local food / produce a requirement for festival permits.	GVRD, farmers, businesses
Recycling of productive wastes	· Compost Demonstration Garden and Water Conservation Site at City Farmer · Collection of leaf and yard waste for composting · Compost Hotline · Collection of recyclable food packaging (bottles, paper, cans) · Home, apartment and worm composters · Regulation of wastewater discharge	· Examine economic development opportunities related to eco-industrial networking (e.g. integrated composting, greenhouse and aquaculture closed-loop system). · Require commercial food processors to compost. · Implement a compulsory composting program in the downtown peninsula (primarily for businesses, but also non-profit organizations). Use composted material for rooftop gardens.	Downtown Business Association; Food Providers' Network, Parks Board;

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE

Facilitator - Ellen Woodsworth

Members - Cheney Cawkwell (Good Food Box)

- Ramona Scott (The Land Conservancy of BC, Conservation Partners Program)

- Barbara Seed (Food for Kids, South Fraser Health Region)

- Jackie Smith(The Dugout)

- Susan Kurbis (Environmental Youth Alliance)

- Corinne Eisler (Community Nutritionist, Vancouver Coastal Health)

- Nancy Korva (Happy Planet Foods Inc.)

- Graeme Scott (Small Potatoes Urban Delivery, SPUD)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

Priority short term actions:

Create a paid staff position to coordinate food distribution, services, etc., through use of database interlinked with food groups/ organizations and other means.

Save the Good Food Box program by providing office and warehouse space in a DTES location.

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

Examples of the City of Vancouver's Current Involvement with Food System Issues and Possible Short-Term Action Items

Stage of the Urban Food System	How is the City of Vancouver currently involved in this issue?	Examples of new short-term actions that could be undertaken in this area	Who else would need to be involved?
Food Production	· By-laws (e.g. noise) · Community Gardens on City and Parks property · Cool Vancouver Agricultural and Food Policy recommendations · City's Environmental Grants (garden projects) · Green Streets - some vegetable gardens · Grow Natural - natural yard care program · Fruit and nut trees on City property · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: rooftop, school and community gardens, fruit trees · Van Dusen Botanical Gardens horticulture education program · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (commercial, industrial)	· Expand Green Streets program to encourage vegetable gardens. · Facilitate the creation of gardens for schools. Develop, encourage and protect school and community gardens city-wide. · Use vacant lots for nurseries, gardens, etc. · Promote water conservation to preserve gardens. · Investigate and apply best practices from the Halifax Composting program. · Promote the planting of backyard fruit trees. · Encourage rooftop gardens for new developments. · Investigate opportunity for awarding LEED green building innovation credits for on-site food production. · Develop a long-term plan for agricultural land. · A commitment to not only preserve land, but to purchase from the farms to ensure the market. · Encourage local food production through a Council motion. · Support small-scale food production plants, processors, (e.g. co-ops) and recycling. Enable Us Moms and QUEST to work together with others. Provide physical space for these types of groups. They could share vans, trucks, cars for pick-up and delivery. City should fund struggling groups like the Good Food Box. · Create a paid staff position to link food production with distribution. Staff person would need a database to coordinate who has what, when, quality, quantity (food, transportation, space, skills, staff, etc.) "E-bay without the bidding." This person could work out of the Sustainability Office. · Encourage communities to `live off the grid'; recycle grey water, etc. · Assign high school students to cultivate, water, prune, and pick fruit from local trees. Develop a program similar to the Adopt a Block program.	Residents Residents Developers, architects LEED, local developers and architects
Food Distribution Food Access Food Access- children Commercial Food Operations Farmer's Markets Other	· Carnegie Centre Kitchen · Gathering Place cafeteria · Evelyne Saller Centre cafeteria · Neighbourhood House food provision programs · Potluck Café Society · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for 9 food security projects · City's Childcare Grants support child nutrition programs · Vancouver School Board breakfast and lunch programs · School gardens · Food service leases for concessions and restaurants on Parks property · Food service leases for concessions at City facilities · License by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses, vending machines, peddling · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial) · Permits for Farmers' Markets · Produce Stand Permits · Street Vending Permits · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: plaza for community market · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial)	· Establish a local-serving food store in the DTES. · Encourage, through tax incentives, local food stores to stay in neighbourhoods. Alternatively, tax large stores. · Facilitate affordable, long-term, appropriate facilities for community food security organizations. · Create a nutritional food policy for schools and school food programs · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for school food programs · Use/promote the curriculum developed by the Evergreen Foundation, `Grow BC' and `Buy BC'. · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for City-run food outlets. · City facilities to purchase locally produced food; buy 5% local food; increase by 5% per year; preference for organic food · Facilitate additional farmers' markets on City property. · Support the Fruit Tree Project · Subsidize food for elderly and frail. For example, Brazil has partially subsidized markets for the poor in high need areas. · Establish an emergency food plan - also see Short Term Action #1: Create a paid staff position to coordinate food distribution. · The City, GVRD, UBCM and Province should be concerned with local food availability. Ideas from Belo Horizonte: `creating a culture of rights vs. charity'. In addressing hunger, they focus on either universal or user-pay (like the Good Food Box) programs. Program staff are upset at the idea of food banks being introduced into BC. The other key component of this `rights' is quality food. Educating people that all donations aren't good. Also, the city sees itself as important in facilitating access to food - for example, one program assures farmers access to good markets, providing they go to underserved areas on the weekends. Another program subsidizes certain produce items in the store, while other foods remain at regular prices.	Community food organizations Community food organizations Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers Vancouver School Board Food suppliers Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers' market organizations, vendors, local residents and businesses City Council, Van. Park Board
Food Processing	· Neighbourhood House kitchen facilities · License by-laws for food manufacturing · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for nine food security projects in 2003 · Waste Discharge Permits for commercial food processors · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial) · Food processing centre
Food Consumption	· Community celebrations, supported by the City's "Other Grants" program · Picnic tables and areas in parks · Licence by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial)	· "Buy BC first" consumer education program. · Establish a city-wide food consumption education program to include consumers, businesses and non-profit organizations.	GVRD, farmers, businesses
Recycling of productive wastes	· Compost Demonstration Garden and Water Conservation Site at City Farmer · Collection of leaf and yard waste for composting · Compost Hotline · Collection of recyclable food packaging (bottles, paper, cans) · Home, apartment and worm composters · Regulation of wastewater discharge	· Examine economic development opportunities related to eco-industrial networking (e.g. integrated composting, greenhouse and aquaculture closed-loop system).	Downtown Business Association; Food Providers' Network, Parks Board;

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE -

Facilitator - Mario Lee

Members - Liane McKenna (Staff Representative, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation)

- Deming Smith (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, SPEC)

- Judy Graves (Housing Centre, City of Vancouver)

- Heather Pritchard (Farm Folk/ City Folk Society)

- Tony Brunetti (UBC Faculty of Agriculture/ Brunetti & Associates Food Systems Consultants)

- Andre LaRiviere (Freelance Writer/ Producer)

- Vijay Cuddeford (Freelance Writer/ Researcher)

- Carol Ranger (REACH Community Health Centre/ The Lower Mainland Food Coalition)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

Examples of the City of Vancouver's Current Involvement with Food System Issues and Possible Short-Term Action Items

Stage of the Urban Food System	How is the City of Vancouver currently involved in this issue?	Examples of new short-term actions that could be undertaken in this area	Who else would need to be involved?
Food Production	· By-laws (e.g. noise) · Community Gardens on City and Parks property · Cool Vancouver Agricultural and Food Policy recommendations · City's Environmental Grants (garden projects) · Green Streets - some vegetable gardens · Grow Natural - natural yard care program · Fruit and nut trees on City property · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: rooftop, school and community gardens, fruit trees · Van Dusen Botanical Gardens horticulture education program · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (commercial, industrial)	· Expand Green Streets program to encourage vegetable gardens · Promote the planting of backyard fruit trees · Encourage rooftop gardens for new developments · Investigate opportunity for awarding LEED green building innovation credits for on-site food production · Programs that can be used as a demonstration model with sustaining funding. Public education as important component of all initiatives. · Organize tours of food production sites. · Enhance community gardens programs in City parks. Explore option of City providing gardening tools. · Explore option of using VSB land for urban agriculture projects. · Development of a land use policy that allows alternative uses (including food production) for industrial lands. · Define role for senior's involvement in food production activities. Linkages with students can be explored.	Residents Residents Developers. architects LEED, local developers and architects
Food Distribution Food Access Food Access- children Commercial Food Operations Farmer's Markets	· Carnegie Centre Kitchen · Gathering Place cafeteria · Evelyne Saller Centre cafeteria · Neighbourhood House food provision programs · Potluck Café Society · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for 9 food security projects · City's Childcare Grants support child nutrition programs · Vancouver School Board breakfast and lunch programs · School gardens · Food service leases for concessions and restaurants on Parks property · Food service leases for concessions at City facilities · License by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses, vending machines, peddling · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial) · Permits for Farmers' Markets · Produce Stand Permits · Street Vending Permits · Southeast False Creek Urban Agriculture Strategy: plaza for community market · Zoning and regulation of land- uses (commercial, industrial)	· Establish a local-serving food store in the DTES · Facilitate affordable, long-term, appropriate facilities for community food security organizations. · Develop a multipurpose central site for warehousing and administrative functions. · Full size refrigerators required in some housing projects. · Work together with Food Banks (role for Food Banks). · Create a nutritional food policy for schools and school food programs. · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for school food programs. · Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for City-run food outlets. · Replacement of schools commercial vending machines with appropriate nutritious food. · Utilize City's licensing powers to regulate appropriate food in vending machines (example of BC Ferries). · Facilitate additional farmers' markets on City property	Community food organizations Community food organizations Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Vancouver School Board, parents, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers Food suppliers Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, farmers' market organizations, vendors, local residents and businesses
Food Processing	· Neighbourhood House kitchen facilities · License by-laws for food manufacturing · Vancouver Agreement Food Task Force, including funding for nine food security projects in 2003 · Waste Discharge Permits for commercial food processors · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial) · Food processing centre	· Develop Licensing By-laws to appropriately deal with food processing (facilitate it).
Food Consumption	· Community celebrations, supported by the City's "Other Grants" program · Picnic tables and areas in parks · Licence by-laws for restaurants, food service establishments, public houses · Zoning and regulation of land-uses (e.g. commercial, industrial)	· "Buy BC first" consumer education program · Cross-cultural urban gardening/farming exposition and eating event. · City-promoted "grow your own" program · Tours of countryside/select farms (farm tour) to help people understand where their food comes from, nutrient cycling and the value of farmland to the lower mainland-urban health.	GVRD, farmers, businesses Urban gardener volunteers , master gardeners, ubc farm
Recycling of productive wastes	· Compost Demonstration Garden and Water Conservation Site at City Farmer · Collection of leaf and yard waste for composting · Compost Hotline · Collection of recyclable food packaging (bottles, paper, cans) · Home, apartment and worm composters · Regulation of wastewater discharge	· Examine economic development opportunities related to eco-industrial networking (e.g. integrated composting, greenhouse and aquaculture closed-loop system) · Composting back to the community program. · Provide appropriate space for recycling projects.
GOVERNANCE		· Front Door approach - City program or space to deal with food policy related issues. Food Advocate? · Development of Advisory Board or Committee of Council with participation from different stakeholders. · Appropriate role for Vancouver Food Coalition. · Open approach to recruit new members.

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE

Facilitator - Kristina Bouris

Members - Devorah Kahn (The Lower Mainland Food Coalition/ Your Local Farmers' Market Society)

- Liz Lougheed Green (Potluck Café Society)

- Marja Kauppi (Community Advocate, Social Worker)

- Marty Frost (Us Moms)

- Nadia Hadar (Environmental Youth Alliance)

- Paula Luther (Chickpea Nutritional Consulting)

- Randy Barnetson (Street Church)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

Priority short term actions:

· Facilitate the creation of school gardens, including plans for summer maintenance.
· Investigate opportunity for awarding LEED green building innovation credits for on-site food production.
· Promote the planting of backyard fruit and nut trees through tree vouchers.
· Work with City departments to facilitate and expedite soil clean-up and water access for existing school and community gardens (e.g. Renfrew- Collingwood Neighbourhood House)
· Create resource to educate consumers about businesses that feature local food products (ie- where consumers can purchase locally-produced foods)
· Encourage the collection and distribution of (free) backyard produce through community centres.
· Work with Farmers' Market Society to find organizations that can purchase and distribute Market Coupons (that can be exchanged for fresh eggs, fruits and vegetables). Could be promoted at daycares as part of the City's Childcare Grants, or at seniors' centres.
· Create school policies re: on-site vending machines that sell junk food and soft drinks
· Encourage sale of school garden produce at Farmers' Markets.
· Examine examples of innovative approaches to encourage nutritious eating and support local farmers (e.g. local salad bars in California schools)
· Establish a "Buy BC first" policy for school food programs, as well as hospitals, community centres, city hall and other municipally-funded agencies.
· Promote food-related student internships and volunteer work.
· Encourage use of school garden produce in the school meal programs.
· Initiate Council-proclaimed "Buy Local Day/ Month" (or tie into Oct. 16^th) World Food Day featuring public events, chef demonstrations, markets, etc.

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

Longer term priority actions:

· Create a multi-purpose / multi-tenant food processing and distribution centre.
·Create a small-scale food processing facility with commercial kitchens, storage facilities and appropriate equipment, to be used by non-profits, farmers market vendors and new businesses. An existing kitchen could be refurbished. The facility would also offer training courses. Insurance and other costs could be covered through the rental agreement.

· Explore the opportunity for longer leases (20+ years) for community gardens on City-owned land.

·Work together with large food retailers, wholesalers, distributors and farmers to ensure that not-for-profits are able to access the quality of food they need to provide the nutritional needs of their client groups (e.g. HIV/AIDS, addictions, pregnant women, children, etc.) to keep costs at a minimum.
· Prohibit grocery stores/wholesalers from throwing out of good food, just to meet pricing control demands.
· Provide no-cost meals and snack programs to VSB students.
· Implement food composting and school gardens to complement the meal programs and teach children about the "full cycle".
· Link school curriculum to on-site food production, consumption and composting.
· Foster an environment where people care about each other and the food they eat.
· Implement residential and institutional food waste collection.
· Provide rain barrels free-of-charge to community/school/ organization gardens.
· Lobby other agencies and organizations in order to uphold the principles and goals of Vancouver's (eventual) food policy.
· Create pedestrian zones around urban food production sites.
·As part of the development permit process, require that a certain percentage of land be set aside for food production.
·Include food production objectives as part of Official Neighbourhood/Community Plans.
· Support projects that support the planting of urban fruit trees: canning, pruning and tree maintenance workshops; produce distribution; and small-scale commercial processing facility (see earlier recommendation).
· Explore property tax reductions based on area of property in food production.

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

Examples of the City of Vancouver's Current Involvement with Food System Issues and Possible Short-Term Action Items

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE -

Facilitator - Cathy Buckham

Members - Hartley Rosen (Environmental Youth Alliance)

- Jen Harrison (Vancouver Fruit Tree Project)

- Karin Schreurs (Healthiest Babies Possible Program, Evergreen Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health)

- Lorraine Gerrard (Association of Neighbourhood Houses of Greater Vancouver)

- Eva Riccius (Trustee, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation)

- Richard Taki (Environmental Health, Vancouver Coastal Health)

- Sarah Chilvers (Vancouver Foundation)

- Ronnie Van Wyk (Mennonite Central Committee)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

Priority short term actions:

· Expand the Community Garden program in parks and other public space (including schools).
· Establish a food store in the DTES. City to facilitate this action.
· Expand the community kitchen program.
· Compile and share inventories of wholesalers/distributors with gleaners.

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

Longer term priority actions:

·Establish "Buy BC First" policy for City-run food outlets (including Park Board). Promote this policy.
· Offer healthy options at commercial food operations in the city (e.g. Park Board concessions). (This action may take longer to achieve, depending on expiry of lease agreements with concession operators.)

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

Examples of the City of Vancouver's Current Involvement with Food System Issues and Possible Short-Term Action Items

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE -

Facilitator - Wendy Au

Members - Tara Molloy (UBC Food Security Studies)

- Fern Jeffries (Social Policy Consultant)

- Denise Weber (Health Canada)

- Jessica Chenery (Healthy Eating Active Living)

- Steve Bouchard (RayCam Community Center/ NEVCO)

- Sidney Sawyer (VanCity)

- James Kennedy (Cook Studio)

- Bob Gilson (Tradeworks)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

CITY OF VANCOUVER FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE -

Facilitator - Herb Barbolet

Members - Robert Barrs (Holland Barrs Planning Groups Inc.)

- Karin Sabourin (Us Moms)

- Stephanie Martin (West End Farmer's Market)

- Mary Gazetas (Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project)

- Barbara Seed (Food for Kids, South Fraser Health Region)

Guiding Questions for small group discussion

Keeping in mind that one of the most important jobs of the Food Policy Task Force will be to create a plan of action that balances a sustainable long term Food Policy framework and action plan with specific short term goals, what recommendations can be provided on the following:

1. What short term actions do you see as a priority? Please add, remove or amend the suggested action items in the table below.

2. What longer term actions do you see as a priority?

3. What kind of food policy organization would best achieve these actions? How could it be structured? Who could be involved?

Production

1. Concern for potential loss of community gardens - existing and future - along the Arbutus CPR Right of Way.

Can the city protect the land and turn the corridor into a productive zone?

Advantages - increase security, decrease vandalism, save dollars, create friendlier environment.

2. Develop Community Centre, School and other public building roof gardens

Support EYA, Evergreen and Us Moms and other existing programs.

Investigate whether Parent Advisory networks would be interested.

Designate at least one rooftop for a garden in Southeast False Creek (See Barrs recommendations in Urban Agriculture for SEFC for The City of Vancouver

Link with Power Smart

3. Provide incentives or credits for innovation in green buildings food production or community kitchens

(Note: City of Chicago model - reducing emissions, water waste management, City Hall outreach program.

Toronto Roof Top Garden Society

BCIT Engineering Department has a rooftop garden program.

Cool Vancouver)

4. Develop more School Gardens

Grow fruit trees on school property

Incorporate food and food production into school curricula

Use school gardens to provide nutritious snacks

5. Inventory of existing properties and programs in items above

(Note: GVRD produced an inventory of all rooftops with gardens in 2001).

6. Engage multicultural and religious communities for their expertise in growing food related to their cultures and in means for involving their communities in food programs. Use for Job creation and apprenticeship programs.

7. Longer term project - Institute local procurement policies and lobby other levels of government and other organizations for local procurement.

8. City should develop a 10-year Vacant Land Plan for commercial food production.

9. Support small-scale commercial level production on public and private lands through zoning and incentives.

Protect potential agricultural land with conservation covenants

Develop new zoning for Agriculture Only

Seed production could be commercial on small plots of land.

Allow for greenhouse/nursery zoning in other areas, á lá Chinatown

ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP ON ZONING AND PLANNING

10. Provide support for long-term retention of UBC Farm.

Action: concerns about the potential loss of UBC Farm redevelopment. Hope that the LMFC could also be advocates for other regional initiatives and could lend their support and influence.

11. Support and develop agriculture-based social enterprises

Use James Kennedy's school and café in the DTES as a model

Develop greenhouse projects using confiscated equipment donated by police

12. Copy Burnaby's by-laws and allow backyard chickens and rabbits

Distribution

13. Inventory present systems for Food to the Hungry

Who donates what? Where does it go? (See appendix in Barr's Urban Agriculture paper).

Interest insurance companies, health inspectors, CFIA, Health Canada in coordinating and improving regulations to make good safe food available to the poor.

14. Examine transportation policy regarding truck and food miles.

Disincentives for long-distance transport of food.

15. Support local farmers

Encourage schools to have farm visits

Encourage and support "respect farmers" campaigns

Establish a depot/distribution facility for a winter distribution centre for local farmers

Support an inventory of production capacity for local product (contact local growers associations)

Procurement policy - "As close to home as possible" (check with farmers for best language for such a program).

16. Supportive zoning for food distribution

Examine options to remove/discourage restrictive covenants of the Safeway type

Easy/ reasonable access to food without incurring transportation costs that reduce the amount of money available for food - i.e. grocery stores in each neighbourhood. 'Emissions' are part of this concern.

17. Encourage experimentation for home delivery of food for elderly and infirmed

Dedicated delivery buses or bicycle delivery

Handidart for food (Yummy Dart)

18. Reduce waste to landfills

Composting, recycling programs connected to green houses

Governance

What does Organization do?

Encouraging

Law-making

Facilitating

City Does City Encourages

Coordinating Conducting

Food IS a city responsibility

Policies Programs Framework For underfed and the well-fed

City's relationship to food

From production to consumption to waste management

From local to global

Short term - First Long term - define what has to get done

Mobilize people already involved

Follow up - KEEP THE TASK FORCE GOING

Working Groups on Research Inventory Zoning and planning

FOOD POLICY TASK FORCE MEETING
October 22, 2003
Queen Elizabeth Theatre Salons

SUMMARY of Group Discussions

1. STRUCTURE OF THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

Options
· The Hybrid Model (Toronto Food Policy Council) was largely supported, with some variations.
· Hybrid Model: composed of a Coordinator and a Board of Directors (akin to Community Advisory Committee in Toronto)
· Hybrid model, meaning a full-time paid Coordinator working for the City with a Food Council (FPC) acting as a Board of Management (a model not dissimilar than the one at Vancouver's community centres).
· Hybrid model that combines the benefits of municipal government with the non profit sector.
· Perhaps look to the Vancouver City Planning Commission for a model
· Sub-committees of the FPC would be helpful

· Structure should allow council and staff to move quickly and decisively

2. STAFFING THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

Options

· Three staff, paid by the City: a Coordinator, a person to conduct research, and a person to organize the Council's `clearinghouse' function. Administrative support should be provided by the City.
· Two positions at the Coordinator level: one to focus on policy, one to focus on program development
· Two full-time positions: one to work on the ground, facilitating linkages; one to work at higher levels, on policy development, bylaws, report writing
· Two staff positions - one inside the City and one outside bringing different expertise
· Either two positions or one and an executive assistant
· Minimum one

· One dedicated staff person and an interdepartmental committee composed of existing city staff who allocate .25 FTE of their time to food security issues.

· Staffed with existing City staff - perhaps by secondment (because of importance of having existing relationships with City staff and departments).
· The Coordinator relies on existing staff in the City system to advance the cause of food policy goals and objectives.

· FPC can be a central and yet small body with sub-committees to bring in outside expertise

3. REPORTING STRUCTURE OF THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

Options
· [Report to a political representative vs. bureaucratic representative]
· Report directly to Mayor and Council
· Need link to City Council, noting that the FPC needs autonomy if City Council changesirect access to City council and Vancouver Coastal Health
· Partnership of City, Health and Community
· Report to Social Planning
· Report to Park Board
· Report to Office of Sustainability
· Report to General Manager of Community Services Group

4. HOUSING THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

· Coordinator housed by the City would lead to a stronger relationship with the City
· Beneficial to have a second staff person housed outside the City
· The initiative should be housed within the City of Vancouver
· The FPC could be housed by the GVRD to enable connections to other municipalities.

5. MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

· The Council should be: Balanced; Functional; Knowledgeable; Tenacious
· Members should provide equal representation of e.g. food providers, distributors, consumers
· The Food Policy Council (FPC) should have representatives from the whole spectrum of the food continuum, representatives from affected communities
· Members should act as individuals once appointed to the Council.
· Members are not representatives of specific organizations (i.e. they should keep in contact with their constituency organizations, but don't have to go back to get instruction on how to vote on specific issues.) They should be equal members of the Council/Board.
· Every member should have one vote (everyone equal); Outcomes based on majority
· Between 9 and 11 members
· Approximately 20 to 25 members
· Members should elect a Chair of the Council/Board (separate from Coordinator)
· City staff from relevant departments should be involved in the work of the FPC

Members should include:
·
- People who can implement - City staff &/or elected
- Senior Government staff &/or elected (maybe a MLA)
- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
- Agricultural Land Commissioners
- Representatives from three levels of government plus GVRD
- City Council (2 councillors)
- Food providers (e.g. Food Bank)
- Farmers, farm workers
- Local Food Creators - urban and peri-urban and rural growers
- Volunteer workers in food
- Front line service people
- Distributors
- Retailers
- Suppliers
- Food Taster
- Educators / Researchers (e.g. School Board)
- Food advocates, advocates for the hungry
- Public Health - Regulatory/food safety; Nutritionists; Medical practitioners
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- Environment health (e.g. waste management)
- Youth
- Planner(s)
- Funders
- Food businesses
- Business members (e.g. Vancouver Board of Trade, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility)
- Economist
- Grassroots members

6. SELECTING THE MEMBERSHIP

Options
· The Food Policy Task Force recommends names of potential candidates as the Coordinator - City can veto
· The Coordinator in conjunction with Task Force members recommend members to the FPC
· FPC members are included in the hiring panel that selects the Coordinator
· The Food Policy Task Force submits a wish list to represent the entire spectrum of the community.
· FPC members initially selected by the Food Policy Task Force

· Determine a Terms of Reference, outline roles and responsibilities
· Articulate relationships between staff, City Council, FPC members and FPC Coordinator
· Develop a diversity grid acknowledging the diverse range of participation desired, followed by a transparent call out and selection process.
· Two-stage approach: in the short-term, members could be those who are easy to recruit, or "self-selected converts" who buy into the goals of the FPC. Over the long term, the membership could extend to include broader linkages with individuals/organizations who hadn't previously been involved.

7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES

Coordinator
· Coordinator(s) act as a connector or relationship broker
· The Coordinator should be someone who can act impartially, a neutral administrator who will take our ideas and work with them. The individual chosen should not come with a history as a food activist nor have been part of a group involved in such politics. An impartial administrator would be perceived as unbiased and would be welcomed by the whole food community.
· Be a champion within the municipal structure
· Act as liaison between FPC and City staff
· Keep apprised of what is happening in the community, what challenges exist
· Keep track of other planning or legislative processes that affect the FPC
· Work with the FPC to develop an action plan
· Work with member organizations and governments to make sure plan is implemented
· Prepare reports on progress of action plan
· Bring together diverse programs and specialists; working with community and governments
· Help develop inter-sectoral and inter-governmental programs within the framework of an agreed upon food policy
· Facilitate communications and collaboration among groups; avoid polarization
· Identify "Quick Start" opportunities for action
· Develop linkages among interest groups
· Identify social, economic and environmental benefits of programs and actions
· Serve as a "translator" among groups and between the Food Council and the public
· Help community groups access government and foundation resources
· Help build the capacity of community sectors
· Position should be similar to the Child Advocate position in terms of ability to lobby etc.
· Possess advocacy/lobbying ability
· Liaise with City staff from relevant departments: posses existing relationships with City staff/departments, diplomatic ability
· Possess ability to get food on Council's agenda
· Good administrator (policy writing, grant writing, office management)
· Communicate OUT to community
· Provide City Council and other departments with relevant data so they can act as `catalysts' on food issues

· * Also see 2. Staffing the Food Policy Council

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Food Policy Council
· Act as a `catalyst' and `broker' to bring together existing leaders and forge new alliances

- Facilitate the coordination, collaboration and cooperation among and between various stakeholders/food initiatives

· Create and maintain links with other government organizations

- Have direct contact with regional and other municipal structures
- Connect with progressive bodies at different levels (local, provincial, national)
- Form linkages with CSG and member departments (City)
- Facilitate collaboration with other City departments

· Create and maintain links with civil society organizations

- Have direct contact with community-based organizations
- Actively link the city to the agriculture community
- Connect and network
- Bring in new partners

· Build public awareness of food issues

- Raise awareness (e.g. among the visible minority population)

· Educate policy makers
· Conduct research

- Gather data about food system
- Ensure a good database and inventory of food security projects and resources
- Research municipal policies to seek ways of dealing with concrete issues such as fast food
- Food security think tank

· Write annual reports (e.g. State of the Food System)

- Produce annual summary of accomplishments

· Develop projects
· Support other organizations' projects

- Support projects that fulfill community needs
- Build on food-related programs and services already being delivered by the City

· Advocacy and lobbying
· Advisory body to local government

· Do not develop projects but rather be the leader, innovator and risk-taker in seeing that leading-edge projects that pushed the boundaries are developed
· Develop program ideas, not deliver programs
· No program delivery
· Role should not be one of project implementation or management

· The Council should have: Authority; Reasonable security

· Act as umbrella structure for different sectors
· Represent the voice of the City to the community on food issues
· Represent the voice of the community to the City on food issues
· Set an environmental context
· Participate in Agricultural Land Reserve issues
· Determine how food issues relate to a sustainability agenda
· Seek out pilot projects
· "Aggressively deal with regressive food practices"
· Provide moral suasion (on issues such as food dumping) - provide leadership, express views on issues where there is a right or wrong
· Set a governance and leadership example
· Help to create a sustaining endowment for the council
· Secure funding??
· Draw on consultant knowledge informally
· Provide feedback on all reports going to Council
· Integrate food issues into `normal' City business
· Facilitate conferences, forums that would position the FPC within the bigger picture
· Contribute their expertise on different dimensions of food security so that the council, with the help of the coordinator, can develop a long term vision and action plan to enable the development of a "just and sustainable food system"
· Ensure the inclusion of a broad range of voices, most particularly those who are acutely affected by food insecurity
· Pilot and evaluate new ideas that help inform / develop broader policy and program recommendations
· Develop terms of reference for their governing (with City Council) and identify criteria for participation, and process for enabling the FPC itself to determine which new members to accept, and which existing members to eject (i.e. through lack of consistent participation)
· Primarily responsible for developing an action plan and involving community and government organizations in implementing the plan
· The Council should hold one or two general meetings annually that are open to all member organizations as well as to the general public
· Mentor
· Identify resources and priorities
· Provide leadership
· Involve the public
· Enable broad changes within City's mandate (e.g. zoning)

Other FPC Staff
· Enable / facilitate development of and adjustments to the overall vision
· Networking and partnership development
· Project evaluation
· Training, building capacity of non profit sector organizations
· Leveraging funding from other sources
· Documenting and disseminating best practices
· Advocacy to community organizations, other civil servants, elected officials (including public education) about key priorities
· Focus on enabling inexperienced, grassroots groups to work on food security (i.e. 3 mums in a community centre)
· Suggest changes to FPC membership
· FPC staff should write annual reports, not FPC members

8. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

· The Council and staff are vulnerable to political change or whim; Strong contracts or unionization could be possible safeguards.
· If the council was productive, provided value, quality and produced savings &/or benefits, then it should be secure.

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© 2002 City of Vancouver