Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Info on the CFPC... Update 17Feb09

Read more! Info on the CFPC...

Executive:
Paul Hughes Chair
Rob Avis Vice-Chair
Sumeet Tandon Treasurer
Jeanne Kwong Secretary
Kristi Peters Snider and Paul Hughes Media liaison
Rob Avis Urban/Rural Agriculture liaison
Lily Phan Community/Non-profit liaison
Alana-Dawn Eirikson, Vi Gerbrant and Matt School/Education liaison
Rob Avis and Matt Health/Hospital liaison
Michelle Avis Cityof Calgary liaison
Tavis Ford Provincial/Federal government liaison

Food Policy Council of Calgary.

~Towards a just and sustainable food system for Calgary~

Next Meeting: Tuesday, 10March09 @ 7pm, O Restaurant, 2018-33 Ave SW... Everyone Welcome!

CFPC advises on food system matters. CFPC mandate is to work with community groups to help solve the hunger problem, work with food companies to foster more nutritious products and services, and work with farmers to develop environmentally and socially sustainable growing systems.

What is a Food Policy Council?

Food Policy Councils (FPCs) are comprised of individuals from all aspects of a local food system. They are often officially sanctioned through a government action such as a City Council motion or they can ALSO be a grassroots effort. A Food Policy Council is an innovative collaboration between citizens and government officials. The goal is to provide a forum for advocacy and policy development that works towards the creation of a food system that is ecologically sustainable, economically viable and socially just. The primary goal of many Food Policy Councils is to examine the operation of a local food system and provide ideas and policy recommendations for how it can be improved.

Calgary Food Policy Wiki... http://calgaryfoodpolicy.wikispaces.com/

Calgary Food Policy Blog... http://calgaryfoodpolicy.blogspot.com/

Calgary Food Policy Facebook Group.... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23936079065

Calgary Food Charter Facebook Group... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38897269812

Calgary Food Security Facebook Group... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43518060231

Calgary Urban Agriculture Facebook Group... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18493929306

2011 New Growing Spaces in Calgary by 2011
http://www.2011calgary.ca/

2011 x 2011 facebook event
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=46802293817

Hi Calgary Urban Farmers!

2011 New Growing Spaces in Calgary by 2011 has launched a few social media initiatives in preparation/advance of the campaign launch.

Everyone is welcome to get involved! As soon as the official site is complete, we will be encouraging Calgarians to nominate spaces around Calgary for urban agricultural development.

The collective nominations will be presented to Calgary city council with a call to action. All ideas are welcome!

Join us in transforming Calgary into a green and productive city, with thriving communities and delicious fresh food - all in all, a better place to live and eat!

Why create a Food Policy Council?

There are many reasons why local officials may want to create a FPC. The most significant may be to broaden the discussion of issues beyond agricultural production to enter into a more comprehensive examination of a food system. Due to multi-stakeholder nature of a Food Policy Council, a wide range of ideas and expertise can contribute to the creation of food policy.

The creation of a FPC can provide an opportunity for a focused examination of how local government actions shape the food system. It can also create a forum in which people involved in all different parts of the food system and government can meet to learn more about what each does—and to consider how their individual actions impact other parts of the food system.

What can a Food Policy Council do that is not already being done in government?

Food Policy Councils can bring a wide range of interests and voices together which do not typically work directly with each other

Food Policy Councils can examine issues which often go unexamined; such as the effectiveness of food assistance programs and the causes of hunger in a society

Food Policy Councils can enter into a more comprehensive approach to analyzing food system issues. Since members come from all sectors of the food system, they are able to recognize the interrelation between different parts of the food system and the need for coordination and integration of actions if policy goals are to be achieved. For example, if a key objective is to increase markets for locally produced food, a FPC can play a role to consider how decisions at all levels of a food system—not just farmers or governmental officials—but also food buyers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers must also be considered in the equation.

They might:

* Help bring grocery stores or food cooperatives into areas that have none
* Work on farm to school programs to bring farm fresh food from local farmers into schools
* Get laws passed to allow residents to keep chickens for food
* Work to get farmers' markets to accept alternative forms of payment
* Change government purchasing rules so they give preference to local farmers over out of province food suppliers
* Work to preserve farmland from development into subdivisions
* Link up land owners with wannabe-farmers who can farm their land
* Reconnect with sustainable practices of First Nation's Peoples
* Survey food prices in different stores so people can compare prices without driving around
* Remove junk food from schools
* Prevent the city from selling ads for junk on the side of city busses
* Improve access to school breakfast


Calgary Food Policy Council defines our purpose as:

* Develop, coordinate, and implement a food system policy.
* Connect economic development, food security efforts, preservation and enhancement of agriculture, and environmental concerns.
* Ensure universal access to healthy and affordable food for all citizens.
* Support development and expansion of locally produced food.
* Review proposed legislation affecting the food system.
* Make recommendations to the government leadership.
* Employ research and information gathering, policy analysis, and public education methods.
* Serve as a public forum for a discussion of key food system issues.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

CFPC Meeting #6 on Thursday, 12Feb09 @ The International Hotel, 220 - 4 Ave SW in the Crowchild Room on 2nd Floor @ 7pm

Read more! CFPC Meeting #6 on Thursday, 12Feb09 @ The International Hotel, 220 - 4 Ave SW in the Crowchild Room on 2nd Floor @ 7pm


CFPC Meeting #6 on Thursday, 12Feb09 @ The International Hotel, 220 - 4 Ave SW in the Crowchild Room on 2nd Floor @ 7pm

Obama Inspired Urban Ag/Farms...

Read more!