Calgary Food Policy Council

Calgary Food Policy Council ideas finally implemented by New Food Committee

2012-01-12T17:53:00.000-08:00

The Calgary Food Policy Council has been a collective effort since its inception in the fall of 2008. Some 300 people have taken part in an event, meeting, garden or other initiative over the past 3+ years.

After 3 years of lobbying city hall, meetings with almost every alderman, notices of motion and numerous meetings with city employees in an effort to create awareness about the importance of a Land Inventory & Food Assessment (LIFA), a food assessment was finally launched today.

The Calgary Food Policy Council worked hard over the years to encourage the city to respond to, and accept, its imagineCalgary food targets and to embrace a global movement towards local, sustainable, urban food systems. It now seems those early pioneering efforts are finally paying off.

Make no mistake, almost every single item and innovation within the present City of Calgary food agenda was originally introduced by the Calgary Food Policy Council. The Calgary Food Policy Council hosted the 2009 Calgary Food Summit, the 1st ever gathering of Calgarians around the issue of Food Policy, an event instrumental in planting the seeds of the current food assessment process.

Calgary Food Policy Council founder, Paul Hughes, also met with Aldermen, urging council to adopt a city wide food policy for all Calgarians. This resulted in the 1st ever Notice of Motion on Food Policy in Calgary's history, back in December, 2009.

It was also Paul Hughes and the Calgary Food Policy Council which introduced the 1st ever motion to create a Land Inventory Food Assessment group, in February 2011, for the benefit of all Calgarians. That motion created the present day Calgary Food Committee and 1st ever Food Assessment.

The roots of a Calgary Food Policy were planted not just by the pioneers who were challenged by their access to food 150 years ago, but by the present day members of the Calgary Food Policy Council, who committed 100's of volunteer hours towards creating a superior understanding of the importance of a resilient, sustainable, local and vibrant food system that should, and hopefully will, benefit each and every Calgarian. Certainly, credit where credit is due is in order for all the hard work of the Calgary Food Policy Council.

We wish Carolyn Bowen, Evelyn Wooley and the Calgary Food Committee all the best with the future of local food in Calgary. As we all know, this is only the tip of the iceberg lettuce...

Mayor Nenshi: "I support the Urban Chicken Pilot Project"

2011-06-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

Mayor Nenshi, at the time a candidate for Mayor, attended the CFPC Food & Sustainability Mayor's Forum on World Food Day, Saturday, 16OCT10.

With less than 24 hours before the 2010 Calgary Civic Election, Mayor Nenshi stated that he supported an Urban Chicken Pilot Project. Now, this does not, by any stretch, suggest that he supports Urban Chickens, but he does support knowledge based data gathering on the issue.

Jump forward to June 2011 and the City of Calgary (#yyccc on twitter) Legal Department is still pursuing the prosecution of an Urban Chicken owner, Paul Hughes (me). The legal department is now directly contravening multiple imagineCalgary targets, including 6 specific food targets. The hole the City of Calgary Legal Department (and as an extension, Calgary City Council) is digging gets deeper and deeper.

Add to the mix the concept of urban, periurban and rural agrarian/agricultural urbanism transects (thx Ald. Gian Carra), Article 25 of the UNHRD, Sections 1 & 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom and The City of Calgary Council's own CSPS034 Fair Calgary Policy, and the YYCCC Legal Department is essentially stepping into an ambush, except there are signs everywhere indicating that it is an ambush... which means they are precariously disconnected from their own policy, legislation, governance targets and society.

Solution?

1. Drop the charges against Hughes (me),
2. Resurrect the Urban Chicken Pilot Project that was so skillfully constructed by Bylaw Director Bill Bruce and his staff,
3. Pursue the facts of Urban Chickens and Urban Agriculture,
4. Immediately implement imagineCalgary Food Targets
5. Adopt Urban Ag Zoning Codes
6. Support the Calgary Community Farm Initiiative
7. Amend the draconian Community Gardening policy
8. Support the efforts of citizens working on the Land Inventory Food Assessment
9. Catalogue all municipal land and create the conditions for citizens to easily access these areas for local food production
10. Allow the 80% of Brownfields that were formerly gas stations to be used for temporary Food Retailing, ie Farmers' Markets
11. Plant that garden at Old City Hall

We shall see how progressive our elected officials are.

@ International Hotel
Here is the beginning of my post. And here is the rest of it.

Next CFPC meeting is Monday, 27June11 @7pm... Location TBA

2011-06-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Next CFPC meeting is Monday, 27June11 @7pm... Location TBA. Membership is free. Any1 can attend & any1 can vote.

SlowFood Calgary presents Local 101/201 and Small Farm Summit

2011-04-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

SlowFood Calgary presents Local 101/201 & Small Farm Summit

Our friends over at SlowFood Calgary are hosting this event. Please visit the links and support local food in Alberta.

Local 101, 201…A Festival of Films and a Celebration of the Local Environment, Local Food and the Farmers who Produce it

Local 101/201 & Small Farm Summit Info

Official Registration

Local 101/201 on Facebook

Local 101: Ingredients for a Sustainable Culture
April 29th and 30th- The Uptown, 612- 8th Ave. S.W.

Local 201: Alberta Small Farms Summit
May 1st- The University of Calgary, ICT Building -CLICK FOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MAP

TICKETS:
Friday Evening: $20, $10 for students ( ID must be presented) and low income
Saturday Day Pass: $50 for Slow Food Members, $60 for non-yet-members, $30 for students and low-income.
*25% Calgary Dollars accepted
All sessions are FREE for CHILDREN 12 & under

Tickets available at Sunnyside Natural Market, 338, 10th St. N.W. and Forage/Infuse Catering, 3508, 19th St. S.W.

OR REGISTER HERE

NOTE: Tickets will also be available at the door for Friday ($25), Saturday afternoon ($45) and Saturday evening ($25)

*DOOR PRIZES*
Raw Bar at Hotel Arts – $100 Gift Certificate
Janice Beaton Fine Cheese – $100 Gift Certificate
FARM – $125 Gift Certificate
River Café – 2 x $125 Gift Certificate
Boxwood – 5 x $20 Gift Certificate

LOCAL 101: Friday Schedule April 29th @ The Uptown

6:00PM- Doors open
6:30 PM-Welcoming Remarks- Kris Vester, President, Slow Food Calgary
6:35 PM- Local 101 History- Wade Sirois, Founder of Local 101/201, local food chef
6:45 PM- Opening Keynote: Thomas F. Pawlick, (Author, ‘The War on the Countryside’ and ‘The End of Food’)
7:00 PM- Film: DIRT (running time 80. mins)

LOCAL 101: Saturday Schedule April 30th @ The Uptown

9:00 AM- Community Walk- Interested participants meeting at Higher Ground on Kensington Rd., walking through Sunnyside and checking out alternative energy systems, community garden, pesticide free park, other interesting sites, continuing on through downtown and looking at “green” architectural elements in some downtown commercial buildings, ending at the Uptown with time to stop for lunch before things get rolling for the afternoon. (No charge)

12:00 PM- Doors open.
12:30 PM- Talk: Water- Speaker, Julia Ko, Water Matters
12:45 PM- Film: ‘Burning Water’ (Running time, 43 mins.)
1:30 PM- 15 min. break
1:45 PM- Talk: Pollinators- Speaker, Eliese Watson
2:00 PM- Film: ‘Vanishing of the Bees’. (Running time, 90 mins.)
3:30 PM- 15 min. break
3:45 PM- The Foundations of Food Panel discussion: Soil, Water, Pollinators, Nutrition and Economics
4:30 PM- Talk and video presentation: Nutrition, Weston Price Foundation, Calgary Chapter.
5:00- 6:00 PM- Dinner break (Local food establishments will be selling local food)
6: 15 PM- Local Food Panel discussion: John Wright (Thomson Small Farm), Paul Hughes (Urban Agriculture), Tim Axe (Terra Caratatis Patris Farm), Wade Sirois (Chef, Infuse/ Forage).
7:00 PM- Film: ‘The Economics of Happiness’. Running time, approx. 90 mins.)
8:30 PM- Closing Keynote: Hugo Bonjean, (Author, ‘Seed of Germination or Termination’ and ‘A People’s Power’
SOCIAL GATHERING: Attendees are invited to congregate in the Marquis Room at The Uptown for drinks and networking!

LOCAL 201: Sunday May 1st Schedule @ The University of Calgary, ICT Building

10:00 AM- Slow Food Calgary AGM for Slow Food Members- ICT room 122, University of Calgary
or
10:00 AM- Sustainable Energy Workshop -Sponsored by Arusha Centre- ICT room 114, University of Calgary
11:30 AM- Light lunch – and producer information available all day -Food supplied by Sunnyside Market – ICT room 116, University of Calgary

12:30 PM- Local 201: Alberta Small Farms Summit – ICT room 102 (theatre), University of Calgary

Breakout sessions to follow in ICT room 121, University of Calgary

HEAR about the local history of agricultural fairs and exhibitions!
ASK about the implications of the incoming provincial land use framework!
BRING your farm bio!
WIN the Silver Buffalo!
MEET the good folks of ‘FarmOn’!
LEARN about the ‘Expand/Explore Local’ program!
SPEAK in a panel discussion!

“DON’T FARM ALONE! Join other local “small” producers at the Summit. Share info and insight on issues ranging from legislation and current best practices to marketing options. All producers planning to attend are asked to bring a current bio to participate in a peer review process and the opportunity to take home the Silver Buffalo award. Admission to the Summit is free but participants are asked to confirm attendance by emailing farmsmall@gmail.com. The Summit will explore where we (as small farmers) are coming from, where and who we are and where we’re going. Please continue to check this website for additional details of presenters and panel participants.

Questions or concerns can also be forwarded to farmsmall@gmail.com.

KidsFarm receives Alberta Government Ministerial approval!

2011-04-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

KidsFarm application receives Alberta Government Ministerial approval!

Get involved! Join KidsFarm and get connected to your local food system.

CFPC Elections 2011: 28April11 @International Hotel @6.30pm

2011-04-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

CFPC Elections 2011: 28April11 @International Hotel @6.30pm

CFPC Elections 2011 28April11 630pm

The following positions are up for election:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Policy Development Coordinator/EAC Representative
• Secretary/Treasurer
• Social Media/Communications Coordinator
• Liaison Coordinator
• Events Coordinator
• Youth Policy Coordinator
• Ways and Means Coordinator (FundRaising)

CFPC – Roles and Responsibilities

Chairperson:

● Liaise with Board members as appropriate to draw up meeting agendas
and confirm arrangements for meetings.
● Set meeting dates and locations.
● Chair meetings in a respectful and effective manner.
● Be well prepared on topics to be discussed, request agenda items in
advance.
● Keep to the agenda, allow adequate time for each agenda item and be
prepared to guide and end discussions.
● Encourage all members to participate in the discussion and ensure all
voices are heard.
● Should a vote be required, clarify the voting procedure and clearly state
the proposals.
● State clearly the agreed outcomes of discussions and votes.
● Liaise with Board members as appropriate over any action to be taken as
a result of decisions taken at the meeting.
● Represent the organization and act as spokesperson when required.
● Be available for consultation as necessary.
● Ensure that the organization’s staff & volunteers are supervised and
supported.
● Contact and brief new Board members about responsibilities.
● Ensure a good hand over between old and new committee members takes
place.
● Take overall responsibility for legal, health & safety and insurance
matters.

Vice Chairperson:

● Deputize for the Chairperson in their absence.
● Adopt the responsibility and authority of the Chairperson when
appropriate.
● Co-operate with the Chairperson to encourage and promote the work of
the organization and Board members.

Policy Development Coordinator/EAC Representative:

● Represent the CFPC on the EAC (Environmental Advisory Committee)
● Provide expertise in the area of food policy.
● Liaise with government officials (e.g. municipal, provincial, federal) in
order to develop policy and affect change within government.
● Maintain contact and flow of information with other food policy councils
in other jurisdictions.
● Remain astride of food policy developments in other jurisdictions.
● Lead policy recommendations and development for the CFPC.

Secretary/Treasurer:

● Record the minutes of all Board meetings as well as the minutes of any
committees to which the Secretary is assigned, making sure that all
actions are duly noted.
● Circulate minutes and notes to Board members and/or committees, as
appropriate.
● Keep all the records of the association in a safe place.
● Keep a record of all policies approved by the Board in the association's
policy manual.
● Maintain and monitor a calendar of important dates for the association
such as grant filing dates, audit dates, etc.
● Dispose of old documents only with the approval of the Board.
● Make sure that all files are in good order for the next Board Secretary.
● Lead and assists in the preparation of the budget.
● Monitor the budget.
● Ensure the Board's financial policies are being followed, where
applicable.
● Report to the Board of Directors and general membership on finances.
● Prepare any required financial reporting forms.
● Maintain all bank accounts.
● Write and signs off on cheques, with support from other signing
authorities.
● Pay rent, bills or other fees, as applicable.
● Maintain financial records in a secure manner.
● Oversee all financial transactions.

Social Media/Communications Coordinator:

● Engage with the public through social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter,
blogs).
● Manage content of social media.
● Liaise with media (e.g. news/radio); serve as point of contact for media
inquiries.
● Prepare media releases.
● Prepare newsletters and other communications for members.
● Develop materials for communication with the public.

Liaison Coordinator:

● Maintain communication with liaisons.
● Remain-up-to-date on liaison activities.
● Create synergies between liaison activities.
● Communicate liaison activities to the rest of the Board.

Events Coordinator:

● Organize events, with assistance from other Board members.
● Coordinate volunteers for events (e.g. tabling).
● Seek out event opportunities and secure positions.
● Coordinate fundraising events with CFPC Ways & Means/Fundraising Coordinator

Youth Policy Coordinator

● Maintain communication with Youth groups, especially post secondary institutions
● Remain-up-to-date on Youth activities.
● Create synergies between Youth activities.
● Communicate Youth activities to the rest of the Board.

Ways and Means Coordinator (FundRaising)

• Motivating and facilitating supporters to maximise the funds they raise.
• Developing new and imaginative fundraising activities, many of which will be events-based.
• Work with CFPC Event Coordinator.
• Raising awareness of the CFPC and its work, at both the local, provincial and national level.
• Increasing funds by researching and targeting orgs whose criteria match the CFPC's aims and activities.
• Developing and implementing a strategy for individual and corporate supporter recruitment and development.
• Overseeing corporate fundraising, including employee giving and matched giving from employers.
• Managing and updating databases to record donor contact and preference information.
• Recruiting organising and managing volunteers to fulfill various functions within the CFPC.

Vandana Shiva, Global Food Justice Champion, speaks in Calgary

2011-02-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Policy Council is a cosponsor of this event.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi will present the 2011 Calgary Peace Prize to Vandana Shiva, world famous environmentalist.

Vandana Shiva, Global Food Justice Champion, speaks in Calgary

Vandana Shiva speaks on democracy, gender, development & social justice

March 9, 2011 7:00-8:30pm
Murray Fraser Hall 162,
University of Calgary  Tickets: $12.00 online - $15 at the door

An Evening with Vandana Shiva Facebook Event
http://bit.ly/VandanaYYC

To purchase advance tickets, visit www.netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/shiva or call 403.220.2136
All event information available at www.ucalgary.ca/peacestudies

Supported by: Calgary Food Policy Council, Slow Food Calgary, Calgary Centre for Global Community, Project Ploughshares, Social Work Students, Political Science Students, India Canada Association of Calgary & Shastri Indo-Canada Institute

Lecture opens with Indian Classical Music, samosas, chai & Dr Shiva’s books will be available for purchase

Organized by Consortium for Peace Studies

FoodStock 2011: Saturday, 29Jan11 @Kingsland Farmer's Market 2pm-5pm

2011-01-10T02:08:00.000-08:00

LETS TALK ABOUT FOOD!
Quality and access to food are important considerations for 2011. Both globally and locally our food choices have a major impact on our environments and communities.
Through a series of presentations and speakers we hope to inspire Calgarians to take a closer look into our local food system.

This event is a food & family friendly fundraiser for the “Canadian Right to Food Trial” which will be going to court on Feb 14th, 2010. Tickets are a suggested $5 but we encourage everyone to attend the event and give what they can.

PRESENTERS NEEDED
Do you have something important to say about food?
Perhaps a solution to some of the challenges Calgarians face in accessing quality food?
Now is a great time to contribute your voice to the dialog.

We are currently seeking musicians to play acoustic sets as well as artists who would like to contribute pieces (%50 commission) to our silent auction.

Contact:
Event Coordinator
oryxzen@hotmail.com

Music Coordinator
reghano@gmail.com

For more information on the “Canadian Right to Food Trial” visit http://www.scribd.com/doc/43910904/Paul-Hughes-CLUCK-vs-The-Queen-Canadian-Right-to-Food-Trial

FoodStock 2011: Saturday, 29Jan11 @Kingsland Farmer's Market 2pm-5pm

2010-12-23T20:20:00.000-08:00

FOODSTOCK 2011

Family Friendly Fundraiser 4 the Canadian Right to Food Trial Legal Fund, Saturday, 29Jan11 @Kingsland Farmer's Market 2pm-5pm

Tweet ready: #FoodStock 2011 29January11 -- Every1 invited. Mark your calendars FOODSTOCK #yyc #R2F

Contact FoodStock Event Coordinator:
Chelsea Pratchett oryxzen [at] hotmail [dot] com
or
Paul Hughes paul [at] paulinate [dot] com

Looking 4 artists 2 donate pieces 4 silent auction. 50% of bid will go 2 the artist.

Looking for musicians 2 play acoustic sets @ FoodStock. Contact reghano [at] gmail [dot] com

CFPC hosts Food & Sustainability Mayor Forum on World Food Day, 16OCT10 @ International Hotel

2010-08-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

CFPC Food & Sustainability Mayor's Forum:

World Food Day, Saturday, 16OCT10 @ 1pm

@ International Hotel

Free!

Calgary votes 18OCT10.

Email Calgary Food Policy Council

Calgary City Council: Fact loses to Fear... Again!??!

2010-06-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

imagineCalgary Target #4:

With an estimated 140,000 Calgarians living in poverty and only 6 months until the end of 2010, do you think we'll reach the target of 100% of Calgarians having access to nutritious foods?

We all see and hear that the interrelated issues of chickens/food/household food security/community food security/food justice/local food systems/sustainable agriculture are being discussed not only in Calgary, but across North America & Globally. Myopically, Calgary city council has turned their antiintellectual/antiscience back on our very own proud agrarian heritage and has wittingly endorsed industrial, factory, caged, agribusiness practices.
Regardless of political positioning, food transcends all issues. The inability of city council to:

1. Educate themselves on this issue
2. Defer to unanimously endorsed Federal, Provincial & City Policy recognizing Article 25
3. Support Science Based approaches (Pilot Project)
4. Acknowledge the receipt of 100's of letters of support
5. Disconnect themselves from fear & hearsay
6. Understand Household Food Security

only serves to illustrate the chasm that exists in comprehending this complex issue.

We know:

1. The matter of a Right to Food, represented in this instance by our hens, is going to court.
2. The Food Policy Report is being presented to Calgary Council on 30June10.
3. That regardless of your affiliation, CLUCK, CFPC, SlowFood, CGRN, EAC, AFMA, GFSA, FSC, et al, Food Policy is the common ground where we all come together.

The process to have 99.9% of our population dependent on Industrial Food has taken some 50-70+ years to engineer. This system will not be dismantled anytime soon, but we can begin the process of individually & independently disconnecting ourselves from the Industrial Food Production System by supporting personal and local food policy organizational initiatives.

imagineCalgary Targets:

Introducing the new Calgary Food Policy Council Executive

2010-05-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

Introducing the new Calgary Food Policy Council Executive 2010/2011

At the 18May10 meeting, the CFPC selected a new executive.

Chair Tony Prashad
Vice Chair Ngaio Hotte
Vice Chair Matt Hammer
Sec/Tres Donna Clarke
Events Karren Huggins
Social Media/Communications Tavis Ford
Liaison Coor Vi Gerbrandt

info@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca Contact Now

It was decided that the immediate focus for the CFPC is the o2June10 report to Calgary City Council on Food Policy.

Election: Calgary Food Policy Council: Call for Nominations

2010-05-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello, CFPC foodies!

Just a reminder that the deadline for Nominations for the upcoming CFPC Board election is this Friday, May 14 at midnight. The following positions are up for election:

Chair
Vice-Chair
Policy Development Coordinator
Liaison Coordinator
Social Media/Communications Coordinator
Secretary/Treasurer
Events Coordinator

An overview of the responsibilities for each of the above roles is attached.

Nominees are requested to complete the attached Nomination Form. The Nomination Form is also available on the CFPC website . Completed nomination forms must be received by midnight on Friday, May 14, 2010.

Once the nomination process has closed, information about the candidates will be circulated. Members will have the opportunity to meet with the candidates at the next CFPC meeting on Monday, May 17 @ 7pm at the Calgary Co-Op Midtown Market. The meeting will be held in the upstairs meeting room on the second level. Additional information about this meeting and a rough agenda will be circulated next week.

Please note that only information regarding the candidates' background and qualifications will be circulated to CFPC members; no other personal information from the nomination form, other than the candidates' names, will be disclosed. Electronic voting will be open to all members of the CFPC and will take place the week of Monday, May 17, and will close on Friday, May 21 at midnight. Voting will be electronic to reduce paper use and ensure that all members will have the opportunity to participate.

The results of the vote will be tallied and announced following the long weekend on Tuesday, May 25.

Please send completed Nomination Forms as well as any questions regarding the election process to Ngaio Hotte, Vice-Chair, Calgary Food Policy Council, at ngaiohotte@hotmail.com.

Cheers,

Ngaio

CFPC – Roles and Responsibilities

Chair:

● Liaise with Board members as appropriate to draw up meeting agendas
and confirm arrangements for meetings.
● Set meeting dates and locations.
● Chair meetings in a respectful and effective manner.
● Be well prepared on topics to be discussed, request agenda items in
advance.
● Keep to the agenda, allow adequate time for each agenda item and be
prepared to guide and end discussions.
● Encourage all members to participate in the discussion and ensure all
voices are heard.
● Should a vote be required, clarify the voting procedure and clearly state
the proposals.
● State clearly the agreed outcomes of discussions and votes.
● Liaise with Board members as appropriate over any action to be taken as
a result of decisions taken at the meeting.
● Represent the organization and act as spokesperson when required.
● Be available for consultation as necessary.
● Ensure that the organization’s staff & volunteers are supervised and
supported.
● Contact and brief new Board members about responsibilities.
● Ensure a good hand over between old and new committee members takes
place.
● Take overall responsibility for legal, health & safety and insurance
matters.

Vice Chair:

● Deputize for the Chairperson in their absence.
● Adopt the responsibility and authority of the Chairperson when
appropriate.
● Co-operate with the Chairperson to encourage and promote the work of
the organization and Board members.

Policy Development Coordinator:

● Provide expertise in the area of food policy.
● Liaise with government officials (e.g. municipal, provincial, federal) in
order to develop policy and affect change within government.
● Maintain contact and flow of information with other food policy councils
in other jurisdictions.
● Remain astride of food policy developments in other jurisdictions.
● Lead policy recommendations and development for the CFPC.

Liaison Coordinator:

● Maintain communication with liaisons.
● Remain-up-to-date on liaison activities.
● Create synergies between liaison activities.
● Communicate liaison activities to the rest of the Board.

Social Media/Communications Coordinator:

● Engage with the public through social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter,
blogs).
● Manage content of social media.
● Liaise with media (e.g. news/radio); serve as point of contact for media
inquiries.
● Prepare media releases.
● Prepare newsletters and other communications for members.
● Develop materials for communication with the public.

Secretary/Treasurer:

● Record the minutes of all Board meetings as well as the minutes of any
committees to which the Secretary is assigned, making sure that all
actions are duly noted.
● Circulate minutes and notes to Board members and/or committees, as
appropriate.
● Keep all the records of the association in a safe place.
● Keep a record of all policies approved by the Board in the association's
policy manual.
● Maintain and monitor a calendar of important dates for the association
such as grant filing dates, audit dates, etc.
● Dispose of old documents only with the approval of the Board.
● Make sure that all files are in good order for the next Board Secretary.
● Lead and assists in the preparation of the budget.
● Monitor the budget.
● Ensure the Board's financial policies are being followed, where
applicable.
● Report to the Board of Directors and general membership on finances.
● Prepare any required financial reporting forms.
● Maintain all bank accounts.
● Write and signs off on cheques, with support from other signing
authorities.
● Pay rent, bills or other fees, as applicable.
● Maintain financial records in a secure manner.
● Oversee all financial transactions.

Events Coordinator:

● Organize events, with assistance from other Board members.
● Coordinate volunteers for events (e.g. tabling).
● Seek out event opportunities and secure positions.
● Coordinate fundraising events.

CFPC Elections

2010-05-10T16:27:00.000-07:00

The CFPC has now set a date for the upcoming election of Board members. The following positions are up for election:

• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
• Policy Development Coordinator
• Secretary/Treasurer
• Social Media/Communications Coordinator
• Events Coordinator
• Liaison Coordinator

An overview of the responsibilities for each of the above roles is attached.

Nominees are requested to complete the attached Nomination Form. The Nomination Form will also be available on the CFPC website shortly. Completed nomination forms must be received by midnight on Friday, May 14, 2010.

Once the nomination process has closed, information about the candidates will be circulated. Members will have the opportunity to meet with the candidates at the next CFPC meeting on Monday, May 17 @ 7pm at the Calgary Co-Op Midtown Market. The meeting will be held in the upstairs meeting room on the second level. Additional information about this meeting and a rough agenda will be circulated next week.

Please note that only information regarding the candidates' background and qualifications will be circulated to CFPC members; no other personal information from the nomination form, other than the candidates' names, will be disclosed. Electronic voting will be open to all members of the CFPC and will take place the week of Monday, May 17, and will close on Friday, May 21 at midnight. Voting will be electronic to reduce paper use and ensure that all members will have the opportunity to participate.

The results of the vote will be tallied and announced following the long weekend on Tuesday, May 25.

Please send completed Nomination Forms as well as any questions regarding the election process to Ngaio Hotte, Vice-Chair, Calgary Food Policy Council, at ngaiohotte [at] hotmail.com.

View CFPC Nomination Form
CFPC Roles and Responsibilities

New York Bees: The Big Apple, where Honey talks

2010-03-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

LEGAL in New York: Bees: The Big Apple, where Honey talks

Bee Identification Chart

ABC:Apiaries and Bees for Communities: Calgary Backyard Bees

Chicken Charges Dropped by City of Calgary

2010-03-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

A great day for Right to Food, Urban Agriculture & Local Food Systems:

Charges fly the coop: Metro

Chicken charges chucked: Calgary Sun

Backyard chicken crusader wins bylaw fight : CBC

Chickens may get run of city's backyards:Calgary Herald

CLUCK on Facebook

CLUCK blog

Click on letter to enlarge:

New Farmer's Market in Calgary! Welcome to the Kingsland Farmers’ Market!

2010-03-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

New Farmer's Market in Calgary! Welcome to the Kingsland Farmers’ Market!

Info on the Kingsland Farmers’ Market.

HENarchy

2010-03-01T22:14:00.000-08:00

HENarchy

Chicks In the City~Avenue Magazine~Raising #Urban #Chickens in COWlessTOWN http://tinyurl.com/yznzr6x #yyc #yyccc #HENarchy #HEN #UrbAg #LFS

http://www.avenuecalgary.com/articles/page/item/raising-chickens-in-Calgary

Calgary Food Summit & FoodNYC: A Blueprint for a Sustainable Food System

2010-02-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Summit & FoodNYC: A Blueprint for a Sustainable Food System

The Calgary Food Summit arrived at many of the same policy positions as the NYC Food & Climate Summit. With substantially greater resources, they authored this compelling document. Here are the NYC outcomes.

Calgary: Life 101: The Birds & the Bees

2010-02-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

The Birds & The Bees

Calgary Herald, "Urban farmers fight to keep animals in city: Backyard passion at odds with bylaws"

Back to basics and reprioritizing seem to be common themes these days for people all over the world. Here in Calgary, Urban chickens and bees are in the news. The act of raising and growing in an urban environment involves issues closely linked with local food systems, food security, urban agriculture and human rights. Those who are embracing urban agriculture have considerable support through international and national laws & declarations to pursue the act of growing food free of persecution and reprisal. Urban farming is not illegal and urban farmers are not outlaws. The act of growing and raising food in an urban setting is not criminal. Urban Agriculture is lawful.

Seasons Come & Seasons Go...

The season and reason to align our city's bylaws with the UN Declaration of Human Rights, The Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms is here. I am suggesting that the current position taken by the City of Calgary, puts us on a collision course with the UN Declaration of Human Rights & the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Is the City of Calgary going to play chicken with these global & domestic citizenship/governance-defining documents? It certainly does not have to be this way if my position on a Right to Food as it relates to a specific Calgary Municipal bylaw is considered.

*Full disclosure: I am currently charged with "Possessing and Keeping Livestock". My first court appearance is on 25March10 and the first challenge of the Corporation of the City of Calgary Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw by Mary March is on 01April10, April Fools Day.

The basis of my position on why urban agriculture is, and will continue to be, enthusiastically welcomed in Calgary is founded in my deep belief that Calgarians are passionate & compasionate people. We care deeply about the health and well being of our families and the health of our community. Calgarians are proud of their involvement in initiatives that strengthen community and create recreational, cultural, educational, economic & social development opportunities for all. The primary fuel that fires all of our passion is food. Sustainable passion that allows for each of us to pursue our vision requires healthy & nutritious food. We are what we eat.

Article 25 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights identifies food as a human right. Canada has ratified in Canadian Parliament the UN Declaration of Human Rights and other international human right treaties 7 times. We are governed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Constitution. The rights and responsibilities of the provinces are bestowed upon them through the Canadian Constitution. Each province bestows governance powers to municipalities via the Alberta Municipal Government Act. Bylaws are created by municipalities to establish local governance patterns. The following from Wikipedia:

"Municipal bylaws are public regulatory laws which apply in a certain area. The main difference between a bylaw and a law passed by an international/national/federal or regional/state body is that a bylaw is a made by a non-sovereign body, which derives its authority from another governing body, and can only be made on a limited range of matters. A local council or municipal government gets its power to pass laws through a law of the national or regional government which specifies what things the town or city may regulate through bylaws."

Municipal bylaws must align themselves with the laws, policies, agreements, et al that are sanctioned by the bodies from which municipal governance powers are derived.

Based on the above interpretation, our laws are very clear about the scope of municipal governance and the right to food is not an area under municipal jurisdiction. The actions of the City of Calgary vis-à-vis urban agriculture are unconstitutional and therefore illegal. The city must cease and desist from the act of issuing violations for the raising of livestock for the purposes of household food security/sovereignty and move quickly to amend bylaws which are in stark contravention of provincial, national & international charters, laws and declarations.

Paul Hughes
13Feb10

HENvironmentalist: Finally, CLUCK President officially charged with Keeping Livestock

2010-02-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

HENvironmentalist:
Finally, CLUCK President officially charged with Keeping Livestock in Calgary.

Paul Hughes receives official City of Calgary Violation Ticket on Wednesday, 10Feb2010 from Animal & Bylaw Services Community Officer, Jordan King.

Link to CLUCK: Calgary Liberated Urban Chicken Club

Link to The Right to Food Is A Basic Human Right, UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25

Paving Paradise: The CFPC in the Media: Backyard Gardens vs Asphalt Jungle

2010-02-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

Paving Paradise: The CFPC in the Media: Backyard Gardens vs Paving Paradise

The Metro

“I think we should be promoting green spaces and arable areas instead of focusing on aesthetics. I think we need to have more garages under houses than in the backyards,” Hughes said.

The Calgary Sun

Paul Hughes, chair of the CFPC, said proposed amendments to the document that guides city development could be the death knell for backyard gardens and green spaces if it’s approved.

“Paving paradise is exactly what we’re doing here — we’re turning our backs on our heritage and people being able to make decisions with their own properties,” he said.

“The city is so focused on how things look from the front that everything else is ignored.”

Seems some members of #YYCCC Calgary City Council would like to eliminate options for homeowners to choose where and how they build their garages (with their money), even if it is at the expense of backyard family gardens. There is very little creativity coming from admin or council on this issue. Seems Paving Paradise is their solution. Calgarians know better.

The CFPC position on urban land use is not an exclusive focus, except where applicable, such as the redevelopment of individual lots for another single residence. The current implementation of Calgary Land Use Policy vis~a~vis Development/Redevelopment does not consider the option of assigned growing spaces (within 500m) to allow for a dovetailing of Household Food Security & Increased Urban Density.

Regardless of our dreams for increased densities, Calgarians continue to purchase single family older homes with the intention of building a new single family home. Only this time, the home is to have a rear detached garage, usually built on top of the space where the backyard garden exists. Certainly it is more than a Food vs Car issue and the CFPC recognizes this. We are attempting to assert the argument that, in cases such as redevelopment, priority consideration should be given to maintaining arable green space, not parking space. The benefits of less asphalt, more intact green space, more neighbours and decreased construction costs factor into our position as well.

Encouragingly, some subdivision developers are attempting to eliminate backlanes. There are options for garage space other than backlane, detached garages and some developers are introducing alternative construction choices. One option supported by the CFPC focuses on a garage design that is incorporated into the home's footprint, essentially locating the garage underneath part of the home.

Ironically, proponents of vibrant front streets want to transfer more energy and interaction to the back lane. The New Urbanism Curb Appeal chant does not recognize many of the factors that actually encourage active & dynamic streets. Relegating certain elements of daily life to backlanes defaults to a defacto class system. By hiding certain 'undesirable' aspects of urban life in backlanes, we create an ideal environment for other activities, just ask the CPS how convenient backlanes are for crime. The backlane-double garage combo divides neighbours like a 21st century Urban Hadrian's Wall. It is a reach to consider backlanes/garages as positive elements of vibrant communities.

Again, the CFPC prioritizes expanding/increasing collaborative local urban agriculture/food security initiatives. Clearly we'll choose parking our vehicles on the street (they must be that wide for a reason), waving, greeting, talking to our neighbours out front and talking to all of our neighbours while cultivating our backyard gardens if the other option is a policy that continues to pave paradise.

Calgary Food Policy Council Minutes: 20Jan10@ Calgary Water Centre

2010-02-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Policy Council:
20 January 2010, Water Centre 7pm.

32 attendees, 7:11 commencement

We began with a round table of introductions, each person stating their interest and motivation to see a sustainable food model. The backgrounds were diverse, yet the inspiration was common. After the basic introductions, several individuals representing more developed interests spoke of their current efforts toward more sustainable food models. The evening dispersed by 9pm, and I made an attempt to make into point form what are very large and respectable ideas. Do forgive me for mis-spellings, and I invite you to send in corrections as you see the as I will become more accurate with greater familiarity of the individuals and groups participating in Calgary’s Food Policy Council.

Phil
philipsarsons [at] hotmail [dot] com

Introduction.
Paul expressed his thanks to Susan & Nancy from city of Calgary for their presence here and for making the arrangements to use the Bow River room at the Water Centre.
Susan mentioned briefly that her group’s purpose is to reduce Calgary’s eco-footprint, launching a campaign regarding local food this spring, featuring and encouraging local markets, organics.
Nancy, from the Office of Sustainability gave her greeting, her office is directly inside City Manager’s Office being of note, coordinating Council’s mission for food sustainability. They are looking to respond to Council by June, to listen and observe and learn of the CFPC.

Brief round table introductions:
Tavis - community organizers, behing “Purple Revolution” - incubating change, growing community (Prov & Federal govt liason)
Nile: co-chair and sucession planning
Harlen: McKay’s Ice cream
Wade S: Infuse Catering, specializeing in local food “Local 101”
Justin: UofC student coordinator - mini farm project
Matt: food policy founder, education focus
Michelle M:
Al. info to follow on Iron Mills, Rocky View/County
Chromna: from S. Korea in small town famous for Greenhouses
Tony: Community Gardens, Chef. Community Liason for CFPC
Mary: concerned Mom, raises Chickens, CLUCK member
Sarah: (used to have chickens!) “Civic Camp,” Land Food Group Nov. 25 5-7 Eau Clair
Ursurla: CLUCK.
Walter: “YA” Youth petitions against cosmetic pesticides, 2500 youth, Clagary Youth Food Policy Council?
Rain: Local Witch, Herbalist & Massage, permaculture designer, Prema Sai Calgary
Mike: Gardener, City of Calgary - watersheds, Chicken interest
Justin: anti-GMO and chemical based food, micro-farm project
Tommy: Engineer, community interest, Civic Camp, Permaculture TUCs
Eliese: A.B.C
Adrian: Big Sky, education in permaculture design liason
Susan: Nutritionist Ab Health Services, Horticultural Society
Kathryn: Meals on Wheels, Olds College Alumni
Dee: Chef & Educator since 1983, poet, writer, SlowFood Calg.
Dana: UofC, Students Association
Myrla: Meals on Wheels, UofC environmental management, community gardens myrla.culman@shaw.ca “FreeHand Consulting; Ecology”
Ron: Farm Boy gone Architect, City of Calgary
Shauna: cook and gardner, concerned citizen
Pamela: Nutrition Student.
Phil: spud.

Presentations:

Wade:
Local 101, March 13, 2010
AB Agriculture support through Dino Program
infuse@telus.net
www.attheroot.ca
www.foragefoods.com
“Vision 2020” - vision for local food system, asked of cooks & chefs
Feb 1rst meeting
wants to expand to education and health care
interested in defining a common direction, and creating a common use data base
info@forgefoods.com attheroot.ca = blog

Justin:
UofC, 240 acres, much undeveloped land, wants to launch a mini-farm to incorporate into the UofC expansion devleopments 1/4 acre pilot with hope and passion to expand; coordinated with campus community bike shop

Al:
Rocky View Urbanization (race track, shopping mall, meat packing plant)
Issue: Sewer pipe to reach these developemnts 200Million, Urbanizing a massive plot of farm land 16000acres
public input requested.
100% of the comments were oppossed.
The report on the public input said “several responded” and recommended the by-law be passed
Jan 26 people can speak in person, anticipates the by-law will be passed
Hearing is in the county office on 32nd Av by the bus barns
Rockyview.ca for info
canadiangorilla.com = blog a

Tony:
Community Gardens
year round applications
water accessibility - a primary issue
and funding
looking to develop a resource centre or information line to aid in CG development
values: trust, community, safety

Sarah
Land-Food Group, Civic Camp
an organization form grassrots origin
people who want to start gardens or mini-farms, raising chickens, possible other animals, slow food
many angle operation, a hub for many groups

Eliese:
ABC
facilitating responsible beekeeping practices
education forums, guest speakers in Feb.
biodiversity
new website to arrive soon
backyardbees.ca

Adrian
permaculture liason
concepts strategies and materials to meet the needs of all living things
Food-forest: mimics a climate ecology of forests = high yield, effective water use
wishes to provide a permaculture lens
Calgary fallen fruit rescue Initiative: harvest unused fruit: 34 full size trees on board and growing, with a group of volunteers
food goes to volunteers, tree owners, and food needs groups
Residents can develop a portion of their yard unused for food
Permaculture Course: 2 day intro courses March 27-28
bigskypermaculture.ca
permaculturecalgary.org - to create a resiliant food economy, matching yields to needs, April presentation ahead(!)
large turnout to first meeting (planned 30, got 75)

Suzanne:
march = National Nutrition Month, “Farm To Table”
Individual and Household Food Security focuses on Access to Food.
Awareness raising and data collection: Prevelence of food security, ability of household to afford food.
Costing of food and healthy diet. partner with poverty organizations See “cost of Eating in Alberta executive summary
Seniors and social support or winimum wage: finding household income is inadequate to meet the needs.
Encouraging advocacy with MLA’s and councillors.
Programs to link with: PaCT project, partnership with low income housing/affordable housing. Developed a community garden and developed a ‘kids kitchen.’
food access concerns: the food dollar is very limited. Food is the only maleble part of the budget. Also, time resources under two jobs for example.
pilot project: clinic sites within Alberta Health services, focusing on food security and nutrition
poverty and income relief

Paul: Google list to post links related to food policy

Kathryn
Meals on Wheels
feeds seniors; started in Calgary by local women concerned about hospital discharges who needed support, delivering meals to 8 clients by 2 women; 1900 meals per day now(!); service chronic illnesses, health concerns, near the end of their lives and want to live at home; a practical visual safety check for people; 44 year history, never missed a delivery date. 75 volunteers blanket the city in two hours; bag lunches to the working homeless at the DIC; collaborates with many charities; meals are hot; children helped create the menu; allows for annonimity and integrity for children; helps to maintina independence (magic meals delivered once per week)
current challenge: building size and condition; equipemnt issues and layout - intended for 1000 meals per day... expansion needs; City of Calgary = landlord. Capital Campaign is afoot, purhcase of new building has been made.
expansign demographics = increased need.

John Marr’s motion: admin was asked for reommendation, admin came back with ‘this isn’t our mandate’ Wheels continues to request being put on the council agenda.

Dee
Slow Food
commitemnt to Local
an international group
100000 members
grassroots movement to preserve tradition methods of growing, preserving and consuming
The Presidia, 300 methods of growing food important to culture
Educaiton component.
The pleasure an doh of food and promotion of thriving local economy, defense of biodiversity, food & food cultures
the commodity mindset is unwelcome ie: not “product” but someone’s “supper”
not interested in facroty farm, monoculture gmo, desertificaiton, biofuel, long distance food, seed patents ... Monsanto
farmers leaving the farm, fast food, that food is only fuel
Vandana Shiva = Vice President
sovergn access to food culturally appropriate to us
monthly meetings
“bring food to these meetings!”
value and meaning of food - intrinsic value, grounding aspect of food (ie: “we’re all Carbon”)
re-assured by community gardens comign allong

slowfoodcalgary.ca
curiouscook.net

slowfood reading list
does not endorse businesses
has a list of local growers - posted on sfc website

teaches how to CAN!!!
seed saturday = purchasing and swapping of heirloom seeds

john dutton theatre, Calgary public library = film screenings
fEb 8th - kitchen party - Kris Vestor - goat chees & milk

Dana:
UofC - Urban Calgary Studensts Assoc.
Fall of 2008
Community tours - examples of Urbanism (Garrison Woods)
Paul = inagural speaker
planet open house: to inform students
used mac hall = opportunity for FPC to reach students

Ron:
decreased foot print for house and garage, and in so doing can make for gardening space (deep rich soil)
800 sq ft of land can produce up to $3000 of food. an aninuity of 33k can only provide a payback of 1k.

Commulatively, this adds up to a tremendous amount of land and income generating potential.

read up on the blog

Tavis:
tomorrow: Transitions Towns - a movement for renewable energy and ideas.
between 2-5pm Calgary Area Outdoor Council.
Umbrella Structure

“Vital conversations”
calgary foundation focusing on “sustainable cities”
register on Calgary foundation website
at john dutton theatre
6-8pm.

Micheal Schmit Case on Raw Milk comes down tomorrow.
wildthingorganics.ca is following it closely = chritina Lake BC raw milk dairy Karen & Curtis

Deconstructing Dinner at cjly.com

Paul:
now a member of te north american food policy council
lobbying to council
nov 30th notice of motion
deliverable by june

purpose: to bring yoru “crop-o-ganda” to the table to be heard and feasted upon(!)
little money, lots of energy

local food is at a crux,

the above issues to be put forward to a city council

goals: liaison position to make effective
there is no blueprint for a food policy council: each one is unique to the area/region
beginning to get traction
an open invitation to all food initiative within the food system

calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

the conversation has just begun!
post ideas on teh google list 24/7

MEETING ADJOURNED: 9PM

Paving Paradise

2010-02-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

Paving Paradise

Calgary City Council @ the Combined Meeting of Council 2010-02-08 will be considering
Item: 9) CALGARY PLANNING COMMISSION: CPC2010-027 AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND USE BYLAW 1P2007 (CITY WIDE) BYLAW 3P2010

This is the Calgary Food Policy Council's position on Household Food Production, Backyard Gardens, Neighbours, Vibrant Streets VS Detached Garages, Rear Garages, Backlanes, Alleys & Rear Lane.

As Calgary City Council meets on Monday, 08Feb1o to discuss Land Use vis-à-vis Infill Housing Policy, the Calgary Food Policy Council supports the high priority protection of backyards for time-honoured urban agriculture and traditional backyard household food cultivation (which in Calgary dates back to the 1800’s).

The Calgary FPC looks at the potential elimination of front driveways as a strike against the backyard garden. Some of the most fertile soil in our country is in our backyards. The prospect of redevelopment plans having to incorporate detached garages on top of these gardens is not an option the Calgary FPC supports. In addition, new developments forced to create backlanes and rear garages essentially requires citizens to 'Pave Paradise'. Other considerations are: division/separation of neighbours (from 5 down to 2), poorly maintained backlanes and additional municipal costs (including paving, snow removal) and anti-social activity (crime via obstructed rear vision from homes).

This Calgary FPC blog post, also highlights some of the fundamental issues to be considered:

Household Food Production, Backyard Gardens, Neighbours, Vibrant Streets VS Detached Garages/Back Lanes

Additionally:

Paul Hughes, Chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council today stated:

"Under current Land Use Bylaw and Infill Housing Policies, inner city communities are becoming bereft of traditional backyard gardens.”

1. City ordinances now require that vehicular access to parking and garages be located off of back alleys, in space where people were once able to grow their own food.

"We advocate an increase in urban agriculture, which is local and home grown fruits and vegetables. Back lanes, alleys & detached garages are destroying 1000’s of acres of fertile land in Calgary. We're paving paradise,”
adds Hughes.

This is in direct contradiction of the City's Triple Bottom Line requirements; a policy that requires the Social, Economic and Environmental impacts of regulations be evaluated prior to implementation. Back lanes & garages also challenge many of the assumptions in Plan It and is a flawed policy that values aesthetics over function.

“A backyard garden can easily produce over $1,000 of healthy, high quality food every year, in perpetuity and tax free. A family would require nearly $35,000 in a bank annuity to generate that income to buy the same food from a store. Why would the City of Calgary deny people the opportunity to grow their own food by insisting that double garages fill up our back yards?" Hughes asked.

2. The alley garage policy is an environmental disaster, economically foolhardy and socially counterproductive. Traditionally, citizens living in inner city communities have always had the choice of front or rear access, but no longer. Today, we are getting long, uninterrupted rows of alley garages that eliminate the possibility of natural surveillance of anti-social activity and urban agricultural opportunities. Allowing over/under garages reduces construction costs and environmental impact significantly. Over/under garages dovetail nicely with maintaining curb appeal.

Once considered assets, homeowners with front access & backyards are being forced to remove their driveways when they redevelop their property and destroy gardens.
"We advocate the freedom to choose and express one's lifestyle in the design of a home,” he said. "It's the same principal behind the freedom to express your opinion in a public forum, without the interference of government."

3. Clearly, this issue is divisive if attitudes become entrenched in ideology. The path forward is directly linked to Council Priorities, democratic principles, Land Use Policy and historical/heritage/traditional uses.

A.B.C Level One Beekeeping Course

2010-02-02T16:46:00.000-08:00

Click poster to enlarge...

A.B.C Level One Beekeeping Course

March 6 and 7th, 2010

A.B.C is proud to offer its first Level One Beekeeping Course!

This course will integrate all aspects of beekeeping to the new beekeeper. With a focus on beekeeping in the urban environment, this course will offer the following skill development:

Establishing a beeyard
Plants, crops, and pollination
Tools of the trade. What do you need to keep bees?
Safety practices and neighbor friendly beekeeping
Responsible hive management/ Beehive politics
Disease and Non-disease disorders
Honey production
This course has been designed for beginner small scale hobby beekeepers by Patty Milligan: Patty has worked as a small scale apiarist for 11 years and lives in Bon Accord, Alberta. She has spent many years working as an educator for agri-tourism in Edmonton. Co-teaching with Medhat Nasr, Alberta provincial apiculturalist, for the Government of Alberta's Bee-ginners course for the last couple of years, Patty has gained an incredible reputation as facilitator and educator. Patty is passionate for new beekeepers and the public about responsible and creative methods of beekeeping. Seeing urban apiculture growing in popularity, Patty has developed a unique course for A.B.C.

On-line registration will be available February 2, 2010.

A.B.C is only accepting 30 spots for this first course, so be sure to sign up asap. The course will be held at TheLightCellar.ca

Any questions or comments contact at eliese [at] backyardbees [dot] ca

Eliese Watson
Founder- A.B.C
www.backyardbees.ca

The Raw Food Verdict, Seedy Saturday in Calgary & Dine Alberta Event @ Wild Rose Brewery

2010-02-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

Judge Finds Raw Dairy Farmer Michael Schmidt's Cow Boarding Program is Within the Law

How Schmidt's Strong Stand Should Inform our Activism on Food "Safety" Bill

The Constitutional Right to our Own Body and the Food of our Choice

Max Kane on Schmidt Verdict, Our Constitutional Rights to Our Own Bodies

2010 Calgary Seedy Saturday
2010 Calgary Seedy Saturday
What: Informational Meeting
Start Time: 20 March at 10:00
End Time: 20 March at 16:00
Where: 5003 16 Ave NW, Calgary, AB

To see more details and RSVP, follow this link.

Dine Alberta
Good turnout of Calgary & Area Foodies at the Dine Alberta event at Wild Rose Brewery.
Many Chefs, Producers and a group I would identify as aspiring and involved.
Mini roundtable discussions focused on a variety of topics that impact local food producers/chefs and topics that have implications for the population as a whole. Capably hosted by Wade Sirios, dee Hobsbawn-Smith & Marlene Abrams. Wild Rose Brewery catered the event with their exceptional beer as the perfect complement to the discussion.
Contacts and a final report of the day is being prepared by Marlene. There were many ideas, so it may take a few weeks to fully 'digest'.

If you are a chef or producer, don't miss the next Dine Alberta event...

Finally, a suspect in bee decline... The Varroa Mite

2010-01-24T18:05:00.000-08:00

Finally, a suspect in bee decline

Mites in carcasses cited by University of Guelph entomologist

Full story here.

In a report to be published in the journal Apidologie, Guzman identifies what killed them: the varroa mite, a crab-like parasite the size of a pen dot.

Abetted by poor bee populations and low food reserves for the winter, Guzman says, the bee bloodsucker is without question why colonies in Ontario, at least, are dwindling so fast.

Ed Nowek of Planet Bee apiaries in Vernon, B.C., ventures the same conclusion for his side of the country. "I've never seen it so hard to keep bees alive than in the past four to five years," he says of his 30-year run in the business."

Though the mite isn't new, beekeepers say what's most disconcerting is the probable cause behind its sudden explosion: a built-up resistance to the chemicals used to kill them. For the same reasons some hospital patients succumb to antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA, varroa has become the superbug of Canada's bees.

Calgary Urban Farm Meeting @Crowsnest Room, McDougall Centre - 455 6ST SW @1pm on 26Jan10

2010-01-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Assistance Organizations:

The Calgary Urban Farm Meeting @Crowsnest Room, McDougall Centre - 455 6ST SW @1pm on 26Jan10.

Please advise who will be attending from your organization.

Please call if you have any questions... 403.383.3420

As promised, project premise attached.

Respectfully,

Paul Hughes
Chair, Calgary Food Policy Council

Premise:
Calgary Urban Farm Project for Food Assistance Orgs & SAGA

Calgary Food Policy Council: Enabling Food Assistance Orgs (FAO) through the Calgary Urban Farm (CUF)
1. Food Assistance Orgs have food demands every day/month/year.
2. Demand has increased significantly.
3. Very dependent on industrial food system.
4. Many food drives this year. People asked to donate every year.
5. We are still giving people fish. We are not teaching people how to fish and we are not reconceptualizing the entire fishing industry, which is the focus of this project.
6. A one time investment that will give us a return every year? Planting the seeds of systemic and profound social change.
7. Reconceptualize our approach to food procurement. Presently, these orgs rcv donations (money/food) and buy, prepare and/or distribute to clients. We propose to grow the food in partnership with these orgs and provide yield to same. We suggest green infrastructure. The CUF & SAGA: Sustainable Agriculture Academy in Calgary. Focus is on staples that thrive in Calgary hardiness growing zone.
8. Sponsored CSA for your client. Expand knowledge base of clients. Expand reach of Community Gardens & teaching people to fish concepts
9. Generates revenue from subscribed CSA's. Revenue can go to purchasing other food stuffs outside of CUF production and allow CUF to function as a social enterprise .
10. Employee pool comes from unemployed, food insecure and those experienced with and/or specializing in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (SUA).
11. CUF would function as a partnership between the FAO's & CFPC and any other organizations that understand how this revolutionizes food security in Calgary. There is substantial urban/peri-urban land available to farm, with yields going to these programs. Development of a local food system that benefits the most vulnerable.
12. Request to Alberta Government and Premier's Office to rename TUC to TUF-C Transportation, Utility & Food Corridor

SAGA or The Sustainable AGriculture Academy

The design I suggest incorporates the most innovative and efficient ideas in Sustainable Urban Agriculture (SUA). It is a model for the many advances taking root in the 21st century small scale farming sector. I call the concept SAGA or The Sustainable AGriculture Academy. The vision is to work with the city, local business and the provincial government to create an urban ag institute in Calgary. Think of SAGA as the ag equivalent to SAIT or ACAD.

Alberta Farmer's Market: FT3, Taste of Alberta & Buy Local

2010-01-22T11:45:00.000-08:00

February 18, 2010 @7pm @Red & White Club, Calgary
Tickets: $30

Click on image to enlarge...

Schmidt Victory Hard Won, Important for Free Enterprise

2010-01-21T21:18:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Kimberly Hartke:

21Jan10
Schmidt Victory Hard Won, Important for Free Enterprise

Today, a hard won victory in the battle for food freedom and farmer's rights was won. Michael Schmidt, a Canadian dairy farmer is now cleared on all 20 counts of "selling" raw dairy in violation of Canada Health regulations. He is now free to continue operating his cow boarding program. I believe this signals health regulators in all of North America (this problem is happening here in the U.S. also) that their current campaign against raw dairy farms and their customers is without merit and an overstepping of their bounds and duties.

Background on the case here.

Verdict and sentence announced today.

Organizational Structure: Calgary Food Policy Council

2010-01-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

Organizational Structure: Calgary Food Policy Council

The organizational structure of the Calgary & Region Food Policy Council reflects our commitment to an inclusive, responsive, transparent & collaborative council.

The liaisons reflect the reality of our present food system and the role of the Calgary Food Policy Council in creating an open governance environment where all stakeholders can participate in the design of progressive food policy for Calgary.

If there is a Liaison position you are interested in, please contact us @ info@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

Please nominate, suggest, encourage, identify and nudge friends & associates to become involved. We are not suggesting this list of liaisons is complete. If there are omissions, please advise and we will remedy the oversight.

CFPC Liaisons:
Media
Urban Agriculture
2011 x 2011
Calgary Food Charter
School/Education
Health/Hospital
Youth
City of Calgary
Provincial/Federal Government
Community Garden
PeriUrban
Policy Development
Local Food System
Secretary
Faith-Based
CLUCK/Urban Egg
Permaculture
ABC (Bees)
TUFC Urban Farm
Research & Development-
Calgary Food System Assessment
Community/Non-profit
Retail/Commercial
Chefs
Local Producers
Farmers Market
Food Justice
Treasurer
IT/Web/FB
Videographer

Academic Orgs:
U of Calgary - Dana
MRU - Alana
SAIT
ACAD

Food Assistance Orgs:
Calgary Interfath Food Bank
Calgary Meals On Wheels
Calgary Drop In Centre
Brown Bagging It for Calgary Kids
Mustard Seed
Calgary Dream Centre

Industry & Community Partners:
CivicCamp
CGRN
SlowFood Calgary
CBE
City of Calgary
CREB
GFSA
AHS

Communities:
Cochrane
Canmore
Banff
Airdrie
Okotoks
High River
Strathmore
Chestermere
Didsbury
Carstairs
Olds
Innisfail

CoChairs: Jenelle Kitto & Ngaio Hotte
Chair: Paul Hughes

Any questions, just call or email the CFPC... 403.383.3420 or info [at] calgaryfoodpolicycouncil [dot] ca

2010 Local Food & Urban Ag Predictions for Calgary

2010-01-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

1. Urban Hens become legal. Many North American urban hen groups are bogged down by the bureaucraZy. To catapult to the core of this issue, consider this article from the Winnipeg Free Press which provides an example of the Universal Human Right to Food option.

"...when up against a "right to grow food" challenge, it is doubtful jurisdictions would be able to defend their bylaws..."

Ergo, there shouldn't be a community in North America, or anyplace on the Planet for that matter, that outlaws growing/raising your own food. If there is, I'm sure many on this list would like to hear about it.

CLUCK: Calgary Liberated Urban Chicken Club goes to court on 01April10 to present a Right to Food challenge against the present bylaw.

2. Permaculture/Community Gardens/Urban Farms see huge increase in numbers. So many great ideas come from the principles of Permaculture and Calgarians can apply the gentle science at home or in their community.

Permaculture: Rob Avis & Adrian Buckley
The 1st Calgary Permaculture Community Group Meeting
January 9, 2010 at 7:00PM
Marlborough Community Centre
636 Marlborough Way NE (near Marlborough Mall)

Community Gardens:
Gael Blackhall & Community Garden Resource NetworkGRN
Maggie Thompson & City of Calgary

3. Long Term Sustainable Urban Ag/Local Food System Green Infrastructure Development (#LFS or #UrbanAG on twitter)
Look for exciting announcements from the City of Calgary & the Alberta Government in 2010.

4. Sustainable Urban Ag Enterprises & Slow Money come to Calgary
The wave of investments in local food systems will connect with the smart money in Calgary.

5. School Gardens & Farms
Schools will embrace the robust learning opportunities associated with growing food.

6. Someone in Airdrie will try growing bananas
See Going Bananas over Urban Agriculture

7. 2011 New Growing Spaces x 2011
More nominations will 'germinate' as we near spring 2011. Vancouver is on track for 2010 spaces & London is fired up for 2012 new plots.

8. More Downtown Gardens in the Heart of Calgary
Many corporations, building managers & businesses are looking at initiating a 2010 downtown community garden for their employees/company.

9. The Calgary Food Charter
The CFPC goal is 100,000 signatures on the Calgary Online Food Charter

10. New Blood & New Leadership @ the Calgary Food Policy Council
I will be stepping down as the Chair of the CFPC to allow for a new generation of leadership & guidance to emerge to take us down the road of progressive food policy. Look for Calgary's best and brightest to step up.

11. City Council will support the concept of a Calgary Food Policy Council and move decisively on supporting a Food Policy for all Calgarians.

These predictions are just the tip of the iceberg lettuce, as 2009 was a breakthrough year for food policy and local food systems. There were many highlights as the CFPC turned 1 year old, hosted the 1st ever Calgary Food Summit and made it onto the Calgary City Council agenda, which wisely passed Calgary's 1st Food Policy Notice of Motion.

The 1st CFPC meeting of 2010 @Bow River Room @Calgary Water Centre @20Jan2010 @1900

So many wonderful and amazing Calgarians participated in a myriad of ways to strengthen our local food system and bring Calgary up to speed, and exceed on innovative food security initiatives.

Buckle up, 2010 promises to grow & yield even more fresh ideas.

Everyone Eats!

Paul Hughes

Fresh Eggs from the Killarney Urban Farm Out, 02Jan10:

1st CFPC meeting of 2010 @Bow River Room @Calgary Water Centre @20Jan2010 @1900

2009-12-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Policy Council: 1st meeting of 2010 @Bow River Room @Calgary Water Centre @20Jan2010 @1900

Agenda submissions to info@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

Thank you to Susan Hayduk @ The City of Calgary Eco FootPrint Team for making the hosting arrangements.

Household Food Production, Neighbours, Vibrant Streets VS Detached Garages/Back Lanes

2009-12-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

Household Food Production, Neighbours, Vibrant Streets VS Detached Garages/Back Lanes

The relevant Land Use Bylaw section are s 341 (6) & (8) and the Infill Guidelines, which absolutely oppose front access in relation to rear garages.

The negative impact of this bylaw on arable greenspace, neighbourhoods & vibrant communities is HUGE.

Why?

1. Removes arable Greenspace from land inventory. Significantly reduces available space for backyard gardens. Casts shadows on gardens. Paves potential gowing space, more ashphalt.

2. Neighbourhoods & Vibrant Communities: Shifts energy from our front streets to back alleys. Less interaction with neighbours/community. Creates opportunity for crime in back alleys. Separates neighbours, often completely obscuring them from sight, especially Infills with 2 detached garages.

3. Cost: Think of all the back alleys that have been paved at a tremendous cost to taxpayers. The additional expense of a detached garage vs an attached garage.

4. This bylaw clashes heavily with imagineCalgary, The Melbourne Principles, PlanIt, Food Policy/Local Food Systems/Household Food Security and the new thinking in 21st Century urbanism.

Reconceptualizing our building bylaws is part of dynamic, progressive, sensible, inspired and acceptable urban growth.

The present vision completely discounts the contribution of local/household agriculture.

The CFPC suggests the integrity of a backyard, with all the beneficial associated uses, be prioritized as paramount in our planning bylaws and policy.

Paul Hughes
Chair
Calgary Food Policy Council

Free Movie for all CFPC'ers “In Transition 1.0” Sunday , December 13, @ 1pm @ The Plaza in Kensington.

2009-12-12T11:24:00.000-08:00

Free for the CFPC...

The Calgary Food Policy Council is sponsoring the Calgary Premiere of “In Transition 1.0” (PG) Sunday , December 13, @ 1pm @ The Plaza in Kensington.

***CFPC people just have to say "I'm with the Calgary Food Policy Council" and they'll get in free.***

Come help us kick-off Transition Calgary with this film, a video of some of Calgary’s existing Transitional projects, and pledges to take action.
250 communities around the world are recognized as Transition Towns - strengthening the culture of local food production, energy conservation, and sustainable economics.

There are many other great groups involved... all part of Arusha Centre's Action Film Series and Co-Sponsored by The Calgary Food Policy Council, IRIS, Haskayne Business School, Green Calgary, Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association, and the Plaza Theatre.

Sustainability for Breakfast (S4B) Taste Test Drive I @ Lone Star Mercedes-Benz FREE EVENT

2009-11-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

Sustainability for Breakfast (S4B) Taste Test Drive I
Sponsored by Lone Star Mercedes-Benz and the Calgary Food Policy Council.

27Nov09 @ 0730-1030, Friday Morning FREE EVENT

LoneStarMercedes-Benz @

10 Heritage Meadows Road SE

Map: http://tinyurl.com/LoneStarMercedes-Benz

Bus Stop: 5264 Bus 72

Featuring taste tests of local, organic, sustainable products, Smart Car test drives, and short Local Food System presentations from:

Kris Vester - Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm
Julie Van Rosendaal - food writer and the food and nutrition columnist on CBC Calgary's Eyeopener,
Paul Hughes - Chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council, who will also speak to the outcomes of the recent Calgary Food Summit.

For more info: info@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

NEWS RELEASE: Calgary Food Policy Council to celebrate one-year anniversary

2009-10-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE: Calgary Food Policy Council to celebrate one-year anniversary

For Immediate Release October 25, 2009

On Tuesday, 27Oct09, the Calgary Food Policy Council (CFPC) will celebrate its one year anniversary.

The CFPC has achieved many milestones in only its first year, not least of which is getting food back on the Calgary political menu.

Over the past year, the CFPC has launched a number of firsts for Calgary:

Calgary Food Charter
The Calgary Food Charter was launched on World Food Day 2009

Within 1 week, over 300 Calgarians have already signed onto the Calgary Food Charter. The goal for the CFPC is 100,000 signatures by World Food Day 2010

2. 2011 New Growing Spaces x 2011 Campaign
The CFPC is asking Calgarians to nominate and create 2011 New Growing Spaces by 2011. http://www.2011calgary.ca

3. Calgary Food Summit
The CFPC recently hosted a packed house for the Calgary Food Summit on World Food Day. Over 600 suggestions for improving Calgary’s Food System came out of the summit.

The items suggested most often were a commitment to building a resilient local food system, increased capacity of urban agriculture, access to city land, increased access to growing spaces for citizens via community gardens, more farmers markets with local foods and the development of an agricultural curriculum for students.

4. Downtown Calgary Community Garden
With Partners Downtown Calgary, Calgary FoodBank, City of Calgary & Sunnyside Home & Garden, the CFPC planted, maintained and harvested the most centrally located community garden in North America. Harvested greens were donated to the Calgary FoodBank and the Calgary Drop In Centre.

5. Calgary Community Garden/Urban Ag Sub Committee
The CFPC created the Calgary Community Garden/Urban Ag Sub Committee to allow Calgarians an opportunity to transparently express their views on Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens

6. FOOD INC & FRESH: The Movie
The CFPC cosponsored both of these movie premieres in Calgary.

7. Media campaign for Local Food Systems & Food Security
The CFPC launched a very successful awareness campaign with local media, focusing on the opportunity of creating a Local Food System and improving Food Security for all Calgarians.

8. Asserting the Universal Human Right to Food
Through support for a court challenge to a City of Calgary bylaw prohibiting urban hens, the CFPC is advocating for recognition of the UN International Declaration of a Human Right to Food.

9. Plan It Calgary, Calgary Foundation Vital Signs, CivicCamp, et al
The CFPC has been represented and prominent in numerous “Made in Calgary” initiatives which seek to create a better Calgary for our children. In Vital Signs, a third of Albertans said they would buy more local foods in 2010. Plan It Calgary began to define Green Infrastructure. A CivicCamp 2.0 group suggested that Calgary City Council should recognize the CFPC and begin to put in place the supports required to allow the CFPC to do work similar to that of the Toronto and Vancouver Food Policy Councils.

Contact:

Paul Hughes, Chair, Calgary Food Policy Council

Tel: 403.383.3420

Email: paul@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

http://www.calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

http://twitter.com/gardencommunity

Proudly sponsored by Lone Star Mercedes & FIDO

Calgary Food Summit on World Food Day, 16Oct09 @ 6pm

2009-09-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

Calgary Food Summit on World Food Day, 16Oct09 @ 6pm

The Calgary Food Policy Council & Big Rock present The Calgary Food Summit on World Food Day, 16Oct09

Register here for this free event... Calgary Food Summit

The Calgary Food Policy Council is hosting the groundbreaking Calgary Food Summit (CFS) on World Food Day, 16Oct09. The CFS is an inclusive opportunity for all those actively involved and working towards improving our local & regional food system.

The objective of the CFS, the first ever event of this type for Calgary, is to discuss progressive policy that will create and build an enhanced food security, food justice, food efficiency, urban ag, community garden & sustainable ag landscape in Calgary.

As we often conduct our community work independent of other local initiatives, bringing all the participants in our food systems together is an ideal way for our communities to celebrate World Food Day. The timing for a local convergence is fantastic, being on the heels of an amazing summer, harvest & the unparalleled growth, awareness and continued development of the sustainable food movement in North America.

If you are interested in attending or volunteering, please contact us... info@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

Blue Mountain Farm Fundraiser, Friday 18Sep09 @ 7 pm Crescent Heights Community Hall

2009-09-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

Party to support a great cause!

Friday, September 18 at 7:00 pm Crescent Heights Community Hall, 1101 - 2 Street NW

Blue Mountain Bio-Dynamic Farm has been providing food for our tables and in our restaurants for years. Kris Vester, owner of Blue Mountain, is a long time food security educator. The recent hailstorm in central Alberta severely damaged a
number of crops and buildings.

Come together to enjoy live music, silent auction, local art, to support education and advocacy for local food growers! Bid on a silent auction items donated by local organizations and artists.

Enjoy a great music lineup including:
* Matt Masters
* Stephen a. van Kampen of Beija Flor
* Jay Crocker and Ghostkeeper
* Laura Leif
* DJ Bruno

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. 100% C$ Accepted Children under 14 get in for FREE. Advance tickets available at The Coup (924b - 17 Avenue SW) and Sunnyside Natural Market (#10, 338 - 10Street NW).

They're awesome people doing awesome things for this planet! Let's help them out!

Calgary Bylaw 27: Calgary woman to fight ticket for keeping livestock in city - chickens

2009-09-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

Calgary woman to fight ticket for keeping livestock in city - chickens

Woman runs afowl of bylaw

Calgary woman to fight ticket for keeping livestock in city - chickens
(CP) CALGARY — A woman is going to fight a ticket in court for keeping livestock in her Calgary yard.

The woman keeps a few chickens on her property for eggs and to reduce organic waste.

She's not the only one - Paul Hughes has four chickens in his yard and he is a member of the "Calgary Liberated Urban Chicken Klub," also known as CLUCK.

CLUCK wants changes to the city bylaw to allow people to keep six hens or fewer on their property.

Hughes says Calgary should be feeding itself and more people want the option to grow their own food.

But Ald. Bob Hawkesworth says the city is a long way away from making changes that allow urban livestock.

"There is an issue obviously around food security and the cost of food and it's a movement that's growing in cities all over North America," said Hawkesworth.

"But there are so many aspects to it, from community gardens to urban livestock and I think some of the easier issues to address are the urban gardens and how we can grow our food."

Woman runs afowl of bylaw
Members of a local group advocating for changes to a city livestock bylaw are crying fowl after a woman was fined $200 for keeping hens in her backyard.

The woman, a member of CLUCK, Calgary Liberated Urban Chicken Klub, was issues the ticket for keeping four chickens.

CLUCK, including founder Paul Hughes, whose group is advocating for changes to the bylaw to allow raising six chickens with no noisy roosters, plan to fight the fine in court next month.

"In light of a right to food and the fact the city of Calgary does not have a food strategy for all Calgarians, we think this is wrong," he said.

Calgary Food Summit (CFS) on World Food Day, 16Oct09

2009-09-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Register here for the Calgary Food Summit
For more info on the Calgary Food Summit
A first for Calgary!
The Calgary Food Policy Council presents The Calgary Food Summit on World Food Day, 16Oct09.

The Calgary Food Policy Council will be hosting the groundbreaking Calgary Food Summit (CFS) on World Food Day, 16Oct09. The CFS is an inclusive opportunity for all those actively involved and working towards improving our local & regional food system.

The objective of the CFS, the first ever event of this type for Calgary, is to discuss progressive policy that will create and build an enhanced food security, food justice, food efficiency, urban ag, community garden & sustainable ag landscape in Calgary.

As we often conduct our affairs independent of other local initiatives, bringing all the participants in our food systems together at the International Hotel for the Calgary Food Summit is an ideal way for our communities to celebrate World Food Day. The timing for local convergence's is fantastic, being on the heels of an amazing summer, harvest & the unparalleled growth, awareness and development of the sustainable food movement in North America.

If you are interested in attending or volunteering, please contact the CFPC: info@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca

More Gardens!

The Calgary Food Policy Council & Big Rock present The Calgary Food Summit on World Food Day, 16Oct09

Updated Food and Agricultural Conference List (2007-2010) & Food Democracy

2009-09-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

Updated Food and Agricultural Conference List (2007-2010)

Food Democracy: How to Grow Democracy

Event Tonight: THE DEVICE TO ROOT OUT STINK! Support Ramsay residents... Say NO to Lilydale Chicken Slaughterhouse...

2009-08-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Contact Lilydale President Ed Rodenburg @ 780.472.4801 or email: ed.rodenburg@lilydale.com

Ramsay residents fight chicken with chicken
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-views/news/chicken-run-and-fight-in-ramsay-4318/

THE DEVICE TO ROOT OUT STINK!
This amazing contraption is guaranteed to rid any neighbourhood of the most noxious odours ever whiffed. And it's coming to Ramsay!
Come down, be astounded and confounded! Breathe easy and smell how beautiful air can be! Even in summer!

WHEN: Friday Aug 28!
6:30 - neighbourhood potluck bbq & family egg games
7:30 - unveiling of the remarkable DEVICE TO ROOT OUT STINK
8:30 - outdoor screening of "Chicken Run", with free popcorn for first 100 people!
note: a gas bbq will be provided, please bring something to grill

WHERE: In the Field to the south of St Anne's School, in Ramsay, behind the Shamrock.
Hurst Road & 9 St SE and 21 and 22 Ave SE.

This article is from 2005:

Ramsay residents oppose Lilydale rezoning
http://www.ffwdweekly.com/Issues/2005/0714/news3.htm

Lilydale (Abbotsford) surveillance video of cruelty:
http://www.casttv.com/video/th5rp51/lilydale-movie-may-09-video
Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Food Animals
www.cetfa.com
care@cetfa.com

http://twitter.com/UrbanChickens1

Calgary Independent Food Policy Cramp: Working out the cramps

2009-08-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Working out the cramps.

Camp this, Camp that. Are you getting a Camp Cramp?

This fall, for the first time in Calgary's history, all the stakeholder's will be represented at a meeting to discuss the future of CG: Community Gardening. Up until now, this very important aspect of our city has been in the hyper controlling hands of a clique of bureaucrats with a narrow vision... no longer. It is a "broad vision from broad minds" world now for Community Gardens... Working out the cramps, getting the circulation of NEW BLOOD (see new ideas) going, getting rid of the lactic acid (see dead wood)... Growing new ideas for a sustainable future.

Policy Changes to Support Urban Agriculture

Real Food For A Change

Policymaking takes place at many levels, including: the community, foundation board rooms, city councils, state legislatures, business networks, professional associations, and the federal government. Food policy councils are emerging in cities and states to coordinate policy initiatives, research, education, and events that build community food security, including through urban agriculture. In the following section, policymakers are invited to support these basic concerns of urban agriculture and translate them into concrete policy proposals. This outline can serve as a guide for policymakers who seek to offer cities – and especially their urban core – greater food security and the benefits of urban greening.

· Support infrastructure for increased urban food production, processing, and marketing

Þ Support significant community-based infrastructure for urban growers such as tool banks with food growing equipment and supplies, community kitchens and other shared processing facilities, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture ventures, funding streams, technical service providers, and urban extension agents.

Þ encourage farm-to-institution approaches for direct marketing of local products that offer healthy food choices to schools (including Head Start), hospitals, prisons, and businesses, while creating economic opportunities for urban growers and related industries.

Þ Expand the WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program and the Seniors Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program so that all states provide support for buying fresh produce at farmers’ markets

Þ Link training and welfare-to-work work programs for unemployed people to opportunities in urban food-related businesses as a source of living wage jobs.

· Extend to urban growers appropriate farm-related services and opportunities.

Þ Government, banks, land-grant universities, and private businesses need to tailor their offerings so that urban growers as well as rural farmers also have access to such benefits as start-up capital, credit, crop insurance, horticultural and financial advice, soil testing, markets, subsidies, tools, and inputs such as seeds and soil amendments.

Þ While the needs of urban farmers are in certain cases similar to those of rural farmers, in other cases they are different and require special services. Policymakers can work with representatives of community gardening and urban farming organizations, as well as food policy councils, to meet these needs (see above, V. Challenges Facing Urban Agriculture.)

· Support initiatives that convert idle and under-used urban lands and other resources for raising food, and preserve farms on the urban fringe.

Þ Encourage land tenure schemes such as land trusts, leases, eminent domain, and allied policy initiatives. Securing long-term commitment for community gardens, entrepreneurial farms, and other urban agriculture ventures is imperative to ensure the horticultural, social, and economic value of the endeavor.

Þ Incorporate urban agriculture in city land use plans as a desirable civic activity that improves the quality of urban life, food security, neighborhood safety and environmental stewardship. Zoning ordinances need to enable rather than prohibit the development of appropriate agriculture in residential, industrial, business, and open space zones.

Þ Amend building codes so that they reflect the actual structural contingencies of rooftop gardening.

Þ Convert some of the public lands in urban parks, and around municipal buildings, schools, public housing, hospitals, etc., to food production with plantings of fruit trees, edible landscaping, and vegetable gardens.

Þ Provide support and access to public waterways for raising fish in cities (aquaculture) as an inexpensive high-protein food.

Þ Enhance municipal support for composting solid waste with door-to-door collection of organic material, on-site composting facilities in urban agriculture projects, public education programs and advice,

· Promote and develop urban food growing training activities.

Þ Organize a web of training activities in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, health care facilities, and continuing education programs in order to improve the knowledge of current growers and motivate potential new growers.

Þ Offer school-based programs that integrate nutrition and gardening in order to raise awareness about the connection between healthy food choices and locally-grown fresh produce.

Þ Two key concepts to promote are Primary Agriculture Education for all, and Secondary Food System Assessment, including mapping of the food system.

· Sponsor and publicize research on the horticultural, social, and economic factors that contribute to successful urban agriculture projects.

ÞFund research on such basic topics as the most appropriate crops to grow in urban areas; community-based leadership development for urban agriculture and community food security; the economics of financial incentives to growers and consumers; urban soil remediation demonstrations; policies to expand urban agriculture within low-income communities and utilize the food-growing skills of immigrants and minorities; develop campaigns to utilize local and regional food; expand production and markets for ethnic foods; publicize the health benefits and health care savings from increased vegetable consumption by urban growers.

Conclusion: Realizing the Potential of Urban Agriculture

Constraints on urban agriculture have prevented farmers and consumers from realizing its full potential in the United States. The policies and actions outlined above, as well as others, will help to promote urban agriculture as a powerful instrument for building community food security and increasing economic development in U.S. cities. Urban agriculture worldwide shows us best practices and policy changes that can help us in the United States, as well as problems and difficulties we can learn from.[37] This guide is a tool for community organizations and food security networks to use in their work with local, state and regional governments, as well as with federal agencies, to expand urban agriculture in the United States, and develop a more just and sustainable food system.

Calgary Food Policy Council: Calgary Community Garden/Urban Ag Sub Committee

2009-08-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Calgary Food Policy Council: Calgary Community Garden/Urban Ag Sub Committee

You can post ideas here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=23936079065&topic=10649

or comment on this post.

All Calgarians are welcome to share policy suggestions for the creation of future/progressive Community Garden/Urban Ag policy.

contact: growingspaces@2011calgary.ca

"Our mandate is to bring citizens' voices and values into public policy decisions and to foster greater civic literacy and engagement. We build support and capacity for public involvement among public policy-makers, politicians, practitioners, and the public. We work to add knowledge to this field by undertaking, fostering and disseminating research in collaboration with researchers and practitioners. Our work is inspired by the belief that engaging the public leads to better policy outcomes and a stronger democracy."

Tickets for tonight's premiere of Food Inc.

2009-07-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

There are tickets available at the door for a reduced price of $7.00 instead of the usual $10.00 for tonight's premier of Food Inc. at the Uptown theatre on 8th Avenue SW at 5th Street SW. Please contact Paul Hughes at earthsofft [at] netidea.com or via phone or SMS to be put on the list.

A few of us had a chance to see the pre-screening on Wednesday evening at a jam-packed theatre. It is fantastically well-produced and hard-hitting. Needless to say, it's a must see.

FFWD ::: Room to grow ::: The push is on to grow food in our unused spaces

2009-07-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

From FFWD
Room to Grow
The push is on to grow food in our unused spaces
Published July 9, 2009 by Julie Van Rosendaal in Urban Living
Andy Nichols

If Calgary has an excess of anything, it’s space. Space that needs to be maintained. Each year crews of gardeners, landscapers and snow removers spend thousands of hours and many tax dollars keeping green (and not so green) spaces tidy. Paul Hughes, a well-entrenched local landscaper and the founder and chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council, would like to see that excess city land put to better use; preferably growing food.

“We are anti-grass,” Hughes says of his group, over coffee in a corner booth at Café Beano. “Calgary has more space than any urban area in North America and most of it isn’t being used well.” To be precise, there are almost 8,000 hectares of usable land in Calgary that Hughes envisions being transformed into edible green spaces by anyone who has the will and a shovel. “Wouldn’t it be a waste of ice if we didn’t have hockey or curling?” he asks.

The non-profit CFPC is driving the 2,011 by 2011 initiative, challenging Calgarians and City Hall to establish 2,011 new growing spaces by 2011. But it’s not just the land the group sees potential in; the CFPC is proposing that Calgary’s Plus-15 system incorporate indoor growing. The members view the world's most extensive pedestrian skywalk system (with a total length of 16 km) as the world's largest network of greenhouses.

Urban gardening is in our roots. From 1914 until the mid-’50s, Calgary’s Vacant Lots Garden Club converted empty lots and other spaces into prolific food sources. Members paid $1 per year and chipped in to tend and harvest the bounty of well over 3,000 plots. The last three remaining VLGC plots have been in Bridgeland-Riverside since 1922, where they are still maintained by residents. Last fall, the 825-square-metre lot was designated as a municipal historic resource, ensuring the site remains devoted to growing food.

In 2008, there were only nine public community gardens in Calgary, along with a few private gardens that had community building as the goal. (Between them, 376 plots were available. This year four new gardens have been approved by the city.) According to the Calgary Horticultural Society, 99,672 square feet were being cultivated last year, with over 750 people getting their hands dirty throughout the city. This year Bowness, Cliff Bungalow-Mission, Hillhurst-Sunnyside, Killarney-Glengarry and South Calgary (one at the Community Centre and another at Rundle Academy) have gardens available to residents for a small fee. Cedarbrae, Maple Ridge-Willow Park, Montgomery and Rocky Ridge-Royal Oak (the largest with 40 plots) had new proposals approved by the city in March. This spring, Hillhurst-Sunnyside expanded their garden to include the city’s first community orchard.

There are some gardens open to all Calgary residents: McClure Community of Gardeners and the University of Calgary Campus Community Garden, as well as the Garden Path Society, which co-ordinates Calgary’s largest community garden in Inglewood (103 plots). Last summer Garden Path launched Cornucopia on a half-acre behind Colonel Walker School, where over 1,360 kg of organic produce was grown and harvested by program participants, staff, garden members and volunteers. Anyone interested in gaining hands-on gardening experience can benefit from educational workshops and on-the-spot learning while nurturing fresh produce for a good cause. Last year, 907 kg of fruit and vegetables were donated to local charities and non-profit organizations. This summer, Cornucopia is open to Calgarians twice a week, when they are welcome to pick, pull and purchase organic fruit and vegetables, with proceeds going back into the program.

BREAK

In May, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) transformed a vacant lot in the East Village into a temporary community garden and the free plots were snapped up by residents in a matter of days; the project took about two weeks from conception to completion. And downtown on Barclay Parade — Third Street S.W. between Fifth and Sixth Avenues — two concrete flower planters were replanted with 20 varieties of herbs and vegetables, which will be tended by local businesses and the yield donated to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank.

The potential is certainly here and the will is catching up, as people try to reconnect with the source of their food and seek out more economical organic produce that racks up the fewest travel miles. Urban gardens have been referred to as the accessory of the summer; everyone has one — the Obamas, the Schwarzeneggers, even the Queen. Gardening is the new black; it could even be the new dot-com. South of the border, micro gardens are popping up, even in high density areas, and if you want to grow your own but lack the motivation or expertise, you can hire a garden trainer (or personal gardener) to help you along.

The trend toward community-supported agriculture (CSA) is inevitable. More than half the world’s population (about 3.3 billion people) live in urban areas, with the ratio even higher in developed countries. CSAs aren’t limited to vacant lots filled with rows of edible plants to share with your neighbours (a selling point for some that makes others cringe). All manner of inner-city gardening falls under the umbrella of urban agriculture — small, inner-city (for-profit) farms, co-ops, market gardens, micro market gardens, community gardens, small individual plots and even container gardens clustered on high-rise patios. Allotment gardens, which are concentrations of parcels cultivated by individual members of an association rather than shared with neighbours, are popular in many European countries and the concept is catching on in Canada. Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, for example, offers garden plots for community members for only $53.50 per year.

BREAK

Many look to the Cuban model for inspiration. In Cuba, 70 per cent of the vegetables and herbs that feed a population of over 11 million are organic and grown in urban gardens — referred to as organopónicos or micro huertos — which occupy a total of about 35,000 hectares (86,000 acres) of land. Cuba’s so-called green revolution was triggered two decades ago by the collapse of the Soviet Union, which eliminated the country’s main trading partner and only source of petroleum, chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and abruptly ended the support of Cuba’s food and agriculture sectors by the Soviet Bloc. Cubans’ daily caloric intake dropped by a third, so they had no choice but to figure out how to feed themselves, with negligible water and without the conveniences of modern agriculture.

The catastrophe led to a complete restructuring of the agricultural system that saw the redistribution of 80 per cent of state-owned land to co-ops and independents. In cities like Havana, gardens popped up in vacant lots, back alleys, parks and rooftops; anywhere there was space. Twenty years later, Cubans have a well-established, socially and environmentally sustainable means of feeding themselves, with a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and a significantly reduced reliance on foreign food. Because the overhead is low and produce is sold a few feet from where it’s grown — about as fresh and local as you can get — buying local and organic is the norm.

Similarly spurred by political and socio-economic factors, victory gardens were famously planted in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Germany during the First and Second World Wars in order to reduce pressure on the food supply brought on by the war effort. Establishing food security doesn’t have the same urgency in present-day Calgary, but our priorities and perspectives are changing.

“Community gardens raise land values.” Hughes says. “They add to the vibrancy of community, food justice, food security.” (Food security is becoming a familiar term. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.)

“I can’t see any downsides,” he says, listing the benefits of urban farming until he runs out of fingers: increased revenue, more jobs, less tax money spent on grass maintenance, lower greenhouse emissions as a result of reduced food miles, increased food security, green credibility, social interaction and community building, and healthier Calgarians who have easier access to fresh, lower-cost fruits and vegetables. A city of healthier citizens carries its own list of benefits.

Watching cities like New York (the same size as Calgary, with more than 10 times the population), Los Angeles, London, England and San Francisco make the most of their limited space prompted Hughes to launch the 2011 plan. The concept follows Vancouver’s lead. In 2006, Vancouver City Council issued a challenge to individuals, families, community groups and neighbourhood organizations to work with the Vancouver Food Policy Council — a voluntary citizen body that was recognized in 2003 when Vancouver Council approved the Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the city — to create 2,010 new shared garden plots by 2010 as part of its Olympic legacy (in addition to the 950 that already existed in 2006). Since 2006, the total number of plots has grown to over 2,400. London has a similar goal: 2,012 by the 2012 Summer Olympics.

BREAK

After meeting with the city’s parks department about the logistics of the 2011 campaign, Hughes sent out a frustrated e-mail. “One fact that came up,” he wrote, “[is that] there are some 800 seasonal workers with Calgary Parks. Not one of the 800 hard-working people who go around our city for six months with trucks and machinery produce food. That’s 768,000 hours of work a year and not one towards food and nutrition.”

City Parks maintains 7,500 hectares of land at over 3,400 sites, 975 playgrounds, 410 ball diamonds, 500 soccer and football fields and 120 off-leash dog areas. We have the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America — 580 km connected by 67 bridges.

Hughes sees urban agriculture as a growth industry, proposing that we could be generating income from unused land rather than paying for its upkeep. He’s not looking to reclaim parks and playgrounds, but the in-between spaces, the chunks of grass that are generally passed by unnoticed. Beyond the obvious benefits of health, community, sustainability, economy and a reduced environmental footprint, what really excites Hughes is the concept of entrepreneurial urban agriculture as a new and lucrative industry, one that is just being realized in larger centers like New York. And if they’re pulling it off there, he argues, the concept has enormous potential in a city known for its urban sprawl.

Reaching across the table to borrow my notepad, he scribbles a rough diagram of a box with a smaller, shaded box in one corner. The diagram is meant to compare our city’s unused space with that of an imaginary retail location. “A store wouldn’t allow so much space to sit unused, not generating revenue,” he explains. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Hughes envisions a collaborative effort among agrarians, the city and local contractors, who can avoid dump fees and reduce landfill waste by dropping off materials for use in gardening projects. In a perfect world, compost would be collected and distributed as well, with pick-up and drop-off stations scattered across the city. The obstacle is accessing city and provincially owned land, even temporarily, until it’s developed or other plans come about. “We just want access to it,” he says. “We’re not asking them to do anything.” If Hughes gets his wish, it would be the largest shovel-ready infrastructure project the city has seen — one that won’t cost millions of tax dollars.

Some argue that nothing grows here; this isn’t Vancouver, after all. But stuff actually does grow here, and something edible could take up that space where the grass and the pavement is. We may not be able to cultivate peaches, but our sunny climate (Calgary is among the sunniest in Canada, with around 2,400 hours of sunshine annually) is perfectly suited to growing tomatoes, greens, asparagus, potatoes, herbs, chard, peas, beans, beets, zucchini, rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, radishes and squash, to name some.

Besides, it’s not just forward-thinking cities like New York, Vancouver and Seattle that are big into urban agriculture. Even Edmonton is host to 38 successful community gardens, with another two in Stony Plain and St. Albert. An Ipsos-Reid poll on behalf of City Farmer (Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture) found that 40 per cent of Greater Toronto households produce some of their own food. And Montreal has the highest number of communal gardens in Canada, with 97 spaces divided into approximately 8,200 plots. Montrealers put a high priority on urban agriculture; there is often pressure to develop on green space, which prompts individuals and groups to lobby at municipal meetings and protect the land against commercialization.

“Nothing helps ground a city more than agriculture,” says Hughes. “But the vision is not coming from the city, the vision is coming from citizens. There’s a massive disconnect.” We can’t see the garden for the lawn.

07.08.09 ::: Urban agriculture and food sovereignty in Cuba

2009-07-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

Urban agriculture and food sovereignty in Cuba

The following is the text of a talk given by Jorge Soberon, Cuba’s Consul General in Toronto, Canada, to a meeting of food sovereignty sponsored by the Venezuela We Are With You Coalition (CVEC).

["Food sovereignty" is a term coined by members of Via Campesina in 1996 to refer to a policy framework advocated by a number of farmers, peasants, pastoralists, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, women, rural youth and environmental organizations, namely the claimed "right" of peoples to define their own food, agriculture, livestock and fisheries systems, in contrast to having food largely subject to international market forces. See additional information at the end of this article.]

Cuban Market

As a sovereign country, Cuba is working to develop its food industry and reduce dependence on food imports.

Cuba is working to ensure an adequate level of food to more than 11 million inhabitants. In Cuba no one is helpless or dying of hunger. There are special programs to ensure food for the most vulnerable segments of the population.

To achieve this goal, Cuba faces high world market prices and the growing negative effects of climate change and the policy of the United States.

Food imports from the United States continue to be affected by insecurity. They are subject to strict supervision and licensing for export and transportation of agricultural products to our country. Moreover, Cuba has no access to the technologies available in the United States or to credit from that country.

The Cuban government has identified food production as a major task and a matter of utmost national security. More than half of the agricultural land in Cuba is held by non-governmental organizations.

Due to the demise of the Soviet Union and the strengthening of the blockade of the United States during the 90s, Cuba faced an economic crisis that forced us to seek solutions to our national food production.

Thus the urban agriculture in Cuba, a country where 75% of its population lives in urban areas, but an important part comes from the countryside and has farming culture.

Urban agriculture is carried out throughout the country and is planned taking into account the number of inhabitants of each town or city. The organic matter that is used and the biological controls in place makes it possible to preserve the fertility of the soil. The available area is used to produce food in an intensive manner. Science and technology are applied, maintaining a supply of fresh products, all with the goal of obtaining a balanced production of agricultural products.

Urban agriculture is an important source of income, due to the demand of the popular market, the workplaces, and special places that exist to take care of vulnerable populations. The high educational level of the people facilitates the rapid assimilation of new techniques and technologies. Urban agriculture constitutes a major source of urban nutrition, contributes to the elimination of urban rubbish dumps and constitutes an important source of employment. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans have jobs in urban agriculture. In Cuba, urban agriculture is supported by seed houses and agricultural centres of production of organic matter.

Foods obtained through urban agriculture constitute an important amount of the total consumed by the population in cities, in addition to other options like imported food or food guaranteed by the state.

The system of urban agriculture in Cuba produced more than 1.4 million tons of food in 2008, in more than nine thousand hectares located in all municipalities. In 10 years, vegetable production increased six times over.

Three factors have been crucial to their advancement: Training of the workforce. The system of payment to workers by the end results of labour. Systematic evaluation of the results.

Urban agriculture is one of the best alternatives for the restoration of food production after the passage of hurricanes, allowing the recovery of agricultural production in few months.

Among the recent steps taken to further develop agricultural production is the distribution of vacant land for its use, for those that can produce food. At present, Cuba is modernizing its food industry to increase the ability to process and preserve agricultural products.

The development of agriculture in Cuba receives strong support from the state. The actions taken contribute to food security and adequate nutrition. The goal is not only to produce food, but also to make it affordable and accessible to the population. The habit of consuming vegetables has grown and generates jobs and income, product prices are competitive and urban agriculture has improved hygiene and sanitation of the cities by developing agriculture in areas that are abandoned.

In addition, the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA: Bolivia, Cuba, Dominica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela) is a tool for agricultural and rural development of nations of the region and aims to ensure access to fair and stable prices of basic foods through cooperation on food sovereignty and security.

Cuba will continue to work and cooperate with other countries to ensure the solution of dietary and nutritional needs for all its people, protecting and enhancing thereby the living standards of the Cuban people and other peoples and promoting national initiatives to ensure our sovereignty and independence in food production and distribution.

[Thanks for this to Suzanne Weiss of CVEC.]

Via Campesina’s seven principles of food sovereignty include:

1. Food: A Basic Human Right. Everyone must have access to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food in sufficient quantity and quality to sustain a healthy life with full human dignity. Each nation should declare that access to food is a constitutional right and guarantee the development of the primary sector to ensure the concrete realization of this fundamental right.
2. Agrarian Reform. A genuine agrarian reform is necessary which gives landless and farming people – especially women – ownership and control of the land they work and returns territories to indigenous peoples. The right to land must be free of discrimination the basis of gender, religion, race, social class or ideology; the land belongs to those who work it.
3. Protecting Natural Resources. Food Sovereignty entails the sustainable care and use of natural resources, especially land, water, and seeds and livestock breeds. The people who work the land must have the right to practice sustainable management of natural resources and to conserve biodiversity free of restrictive intellectual property rights. This can only be done from a sound economic basis with security of tenure, healthy soils and reduced use of agro-chemicals.
4. Reorganizing Food Trade. Food is first and foremost a source of nutrition and only secondarily an item of trade. National agricultural policies must prioritize production for domestic consumption and food self-sufficiency. Food imports must not displace local production nor depress prices.
5. Ending the Globalization of Hunger. Food Sovereignty is undermined by multilateral institutions and by speculative capital. The growing control of multinational corporations over agricultural policies has been facilitated by the economic policies of multilateral organizations such as the WTO, World Bank and the IMF. Regulation and taxation of speculative capital and a strictly enforced Code of Conduct for TNCs is therefore needed.
6. Social Peace. Everyone has the right to be free from violence. Food must not be used as a weapon. Increasing levels of poverty and marginalization in the countryside, along with the growing oppression of ethnic minorities and indigenous populations, aggravate situations of injustice and hopelessness. The ongoing displacement, forced urbanization, repression and increasing incidence of racism of smallholder farmers cannot be tolerated.
7. Democratic control. Smallholder farmers must have direct input into formulating agricultural policies at all levels. The United Nations and related organizations will have to undergo a process of democratization to enable this to become a reality. Everyone has the right to honest, accurate information and open and democratic decision-making. These rights form the basis of good governance, accountability and equal participation in economic, political and social life, free from all forms of discrimination. Rural women, in particular, must be granted direct and active decisionmaking on food and rural issues.

Food sovereignty is increasingly being promoted as an alternative framework to the narrower concept of food security, which mostly focuses on the technical problem of providing adequate nutrition. For instance, a food security agenda that simply provides surplus grain to hungry people would probably be strongly criticised by food sovereignty advocates as just another form of commodity dumping, facilitating corporate penetration of foreign markets, undermining local food production, and possibly leading to irreversible biotech contamination of indigenous crops with patented varieties. U.S. taxpayer subsidized exports of Bt corn to Mexico since the passage of NAFTA is a case in point.

Mad City Chickens & Support local farmers

2009-07-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

Mad City Chickens movie

The CFPC is securing this screening for Calgary.

Support local farmers.

Help your favorite farmers market win some cash this summer.

Civileats and Treehugger.com report on Farmers Market contests:

Civil Eats
Treehugger

Calgary Food Policy Council creates the Calgary Community Garden/Urban Ag Sub Committee

2009-07-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

Calgary Food Policy Council creates the Calgary Community Garden/Urban Ag Sub Committee

All Calgarians are welcome to share policy suggestions for the creation of future/progressive Community Garden/Urban Ag policy.

contact: growingspaces@2011calgary.ca

Devonian Gardens
The city has approved $23,000,000 for 1 garden. Based on the 2009 Community Garden pilot project budget of $10K/garden, the same funds would help create 2300 community gardens, making Calgary the global leader in urban ag. According to the media release, the Devonian Garden expansion will make Calgary the global leader in skylights for shopping.

Have Your Say in Calgary’s Vital Signs 2009 survey...
http://www.calgaryvitalsigns.ca

Present inventory of Community Gardens:
Calgary Downtown Community Garden (Barkley Mall/3rd St between 5th & 6th Ave SW)
Bowness Community Garden
Bridgeland Riverside Community Garden (at Carewest)
Bridgeland Riverside Historic Gardens aka Vacant Lot Garden Society
Cliff Bungalow/Mission Allotment Community Garden
Rocky Ridge/Royal Oak (NW),
Montgomery (NW),
Maple Ridge/Willow Park (SE),
Cedarbrae (SW)
Community Crop: South Calgary
Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Garden
Killarney Glengarry Community Garden
McClure Community of Gardeners (formerly Robert McClure United Church Community Garden)
Patch Paradise
Silver Springs Floral Ornamental Community Garden & Birthplace Forest
Sunalta Wildflower Community Garden
Unitarian Church
University of Calgary Campus Community Garden
The Garden Path in Inglewood
The Community Garden at Fort Calgary

National Geographic ::: The Global Food Crisis ::: The End of Plenty

2009-06-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

National Geographic ::: The Global Food Crisis ::: The End of Plenty

It is the simplest, most natural of acts, akin to breathing and walking upright. We sit down at the dinner table, pick up a fork, and take a juicy bite, oblivious to the double helping of global ramifications on our plate. Our beef comes from Iowa, fed by Nebraska corn. Our grapes come from Chile, our bananas from Honduras, our olive oil from Sicily, our apple juice—not from Washington State but all the way from China. Modern society has relieved us of the burden of growing, harvesting, even preparing our daily bread, in exchange for the burden of simply paying for it. Only when prices rise do we take notice. And the consequences of our inattention are profound.

Court rules GE alfalfa can result in irreversible harm to crops

2009-06-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Court rules GE alfalfa can result in irreversible harm to crops

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the planting of GE alfalfa can cause potentially irreversible harm to organic and conventional crops. Monsanto’s petition to rehear was denied in full.

American shoppers misled by greenwash, Congress told

2009-06-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

American shoppers misled by greenwash, Congress told

98% of supposedly environmentally friendly products in US supermarkets make false or confusing claims, campaigners say

More than 98% of supposedly natural and environmentally friendly products on US supermarket shelves are making potentially false or misleading claims, Congress has been told. And 22% of products making green claims bear an environmental badge that has no inherent meaning, said Scot Case, of the environmental consulting firm TerraChoice.

The study of nearly 4,000 consumer products found "greenwashing" in nearly every product category – from a lack of verifiable information to outright lies.

2011 New Growing Spaces in Calgary by 2011

Vancouver City Hall Garden - 1 Calgary City Hall Garden - 0

2009-06-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson got his hands dirty planting wheat at the opening of the plots at city hall.

And the city is in good company -- both the White House and Buckingham Palace have recently started growing food in gardens on the state grounds.

Vancouver City Hall Garden

Back in Calgary, the mayor's response is to deny the existence of an urban agriculture movement in North America. He also includes a dig at the CFPC... "They are only a small group," states the Mayor. A small group with big ideas, the kind of ideas that grow community in an urban setting.

*Editor's note* 100% of Calgarians consume food products making us the largest group in Calgary...

Calgary Mayor's email address: themayor@calgary.ca

Write him... plant the seeds of change.

What is a CSA?

2009-06-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

What is a CSA?

What is a C.S.A?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and it is a method whereby urban (and I suppose suburban) dwellers invest in a share of a local farm in exchange for the bounty of that farm during the harvest season. They have grown in popularity in recent years, and its not uncommon for certain CSA’s to sell out their available shares, and for farmers to not be able to meet the demand. This is all good news for several reasons.

Location change: CFPC Meeting... 09June09, Tuesday @ 7pm @ The Library of Knox United Church

2009-06-07T16:57:00.000-07:00

Next CFPC Meeting... 09June09, Tuesday @ 1900-2030 @ The Library of Knox United Church
featuring Plan It Calgary & how it addresses Urban Ag issues.

Our sponsorship agreement to use the Living Room space was contingent on possibly being bumped by a paying customer. This is the case. The Living Room has offered the room for a future meeting.

Thank you to Ryan Slifka for making the booking at Knox United.

We'll be walking over to the Downtown Community Garden after the meeting for a quick tour.

Please forward any agenda submissions to growingspaces@2011calgary.ca

Humus & Hummer...

Intensive & Intelligent Urban Ag in Japan

2009-06-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Intensive and Intelligent: Urban Agriculture in Ogawa-Machi, Japan

By Katherine Kelly

I just returned from a trip to Japan with nine other farmers, food activists
and academics as part of a Japan-Kansas exchange looking at organic
agriculture and food movements. The goal of the exchange is to share
strategies for building a local organic food movement here and there.

We spent a week in the Saitama prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, visiting
organic and urban farms and food businesses; in June, a group of ten
Japanese visitors will come to Kansas, touring Lawrence area farms and
coming into Kansas City for the Urban Farms & Gardens Tour.

During the planning phase of the trip, I wondered if there would be enough
urban agriculture for my interests, since the descriptions of the farms on
our itinerary seemed mostly “rural.” On the first day though, as we left
the Tokyo airport by train, I realized that it was likely that all of the
agriculture we were going to see fit my definition of “urban.” (If you can
see homes and businesses while standing in your field, you are probably an
urban farmer.)

Looking out the train window, I saw that every bit of land that wasn’t a
mountain and that wasn’t developed was planted to vegetable and grain
crops. Rice paddies, wheat fields, and vegetable gardens and farms lined
the railroad tracks and could be seen interwoven with houses, apartment
buildings, and businesses. The fields were tiny--perhaps a quarter to half
an acre, sometimes there were multiple fields abutting each other,
vegetables next to rice paddies next to wheat fields next to the mountains.

The majority of our time was spent in Ogawa-Machi, a town of 30,000 which
felt more like an extension of Tokyo than the small rural town I had
expected. As we walked around the streets, I took picture after picture of
“urban” agriculture until I realized that what I had seen along the train
tracks held true here, too. At houses with no lawn (most of the city was
composed of what we would call townhomes) there would be pots of flowers or
vegetables or herbs. It wasn’t unusual to see the tiniest bit of ground
bordering a parking lot planted to potatoes, or the little triangles of land
formed by streets joining at an angle covered in bunching onions. Land
between apartment buildings had several hundred square feet of potatoes and
multiple long rows of onions and cabbages and garlic chives as well as other
vegetables. At the edges of town, butting up against the mountains, you
could see small trucks parked alongside fields, tractors working in the rice
paddies and individuals and families out working in their plots. It was
hard to tell what were commercial plots and what were home gardens;
everything was managed so intensively and so intelligently.

For part of the trip, we had home-stays at organic farms. I was privileged
to stay at the Frostpia Farm, an organic vegetable, rice, soybean, and wheat
farm. It was described as the grandparent of organic agriculture in that
area; for over 38 years, they have trained hundreds of apprentices and
helped give birth to some 30 other farms. Their vegetable production was at
the scale of KCCUA’s Community Farm, with perhaps 2 plus acres under
cultivation. In addition, they kept another three to four acres in rice,
wheat, and soybeans. Mountains enclosed the farm on two sides, the other
two sides butted up against small homes and city streets. Deliveries of
vegetables to buyers were quick, taking as little as ten minutes from farm
to grocery store and restaurant.

In the kitchens as well as on the streets, healthy vegetables were
everywhere. Many small stores and restaurants carried produce; in one
highly developed Tokyo neighborhood, we saw a "green grocer" driving around
a neighborhood selling fresh fruits and vegetables to people directly from
the truck. Each meal was dominated by vegetables; we guessed that most
people eat their “five-a-day” before breakfast is even over. Even the
prepared foods so widely available were composed primarily of vegetables.

Japan has one of the healthiest populations in the world, and you could see
it in the bodies and faces of children, adults, and seniors alike. Women in
Japan have the longest life expectancy in the world; girls born today are
expected to live to 86 years of age; boys to 79 years. The obesity rate
there is around 3% (here it is around 30%). The causes behind such good
national health are complex, attributable in no small part to the fact that
this is a nation of walkers and bikers; but healthy, plant-based eating and
the powerful daily connection to vegetable production are clearly central to
their healthier lifestyles.

The cities I saw offered me a vision of what food-productive urban spaces
might look like. The streets seemed friendlier and safer because of the
presence of so much green space; the modest and patient work of planting and
maintaining gardens somehow grounded the intense pace of living we saw. It
occurred to me that if natural or man-made disaster should strike, their
cities would be much better able to feed themselves; they have the know-how,
and the basic infrastructure. In the face of intense development and
population pressure in their cities, the Japanese have generally maintained
a commitment to small scale agriculture and food production as a social and
an economic good. The Ministry of Agriculture recently re-affirmed its
commitment to greater food self-sufficiency, and is backing that commitment
up with substantial financial and human resources.

The Effect of Community Gardens on Neighboring Property Values

2009-06-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Effect of Community Gardens on Neighboring Property Values

Cities across the United States and Canada increasingly are debating the best way to use vacant infill lots. The community garden movement is one of the major contenders for the space, as are advocates for small public pocket parks and other green spaces. To allocate the land most efficiently and fairly, local governments need sound research about the value of such gardens and parks to their host communities.

At the same time, cities are looking for new ways of financing the development and maintenance of public garden and park space. Some have turned to tax increment financing to generate resources; others are introducing impact fees or special assessments to cover the costs of urban parks. In order to employ such financing mechanisms, both policy concerns and legal constraints require local governments to base their charges on sound data about the impacts green spaces have on the value of the neighboring properties that would be forced to bear the incidence of the tax or fee.

Despite the clear public policy need for such data, our knowledge about the impacts community gardens and other such spaces have on surrounding neighborhoods is quite limited. No studies have focused specifically on community gardens, and those that have examined the property value impacts of parks and other open space are cross-sectional studies inattentive to when the park opened, so that it is impossible to determine the direction of the causality of any property value differences found. The existing literature also has paid insufficient attention to qualitative differences among the parks studied and to differences in characteristics of the surrounding neighborhoods that might affect the parks' impacts.

Applying hedonic methods to a unique data set of all property sales in New York City over several decades, we compared the prices of properties within a given distance of community gardens to prices of comparable properties outside the designated ring, but still located in the same neighborhood. By examining whether and how this difference changed once a community garden was established, we account for any systematic differences between the sites used for community gardens and other land in the neighborhood, thus resolving questions about the direction of causality and helping to disentangle the specific effects of community gardens from other contemporaneous changes occurring across neighborhoods and properties in the city.

We find that the opening of a community garden has a statistically significant positive impact on residential properties within 1000 feet of the garden, and that the impact increases over time. We find that gardens have the greatest impact in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Higher quality gardens have the greatest positive impact. Finally, we find that the opening of a garden is associated with other changes in the neighborhood, such as increasing rates of homeownership, and thus may be serving as catalysts for economic redevelopment of the community.

Calgary Downtown Community Garden Launched!

2009-06-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

CBC TV story for the launch of the Downtown Community Garden...

also in Calgary Herald Wednesday page A11...
"It's a very cool concept,"said Heidi Lambie, a spokeswoman for Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. "Having fresh produce is really important for our people, because it's healthier."

Metro Wednesday page 3...
"We have unused space within city limits," said Paul Hughes, Chair of the Calgary Food Policy Council. "Time for a savvy city like Calgary to use this space wisely."

Calgary East Village Community Garden Launch

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

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

Calgary Food Policy Facebook Group.... http://tinyurl.com/food-fb

Volunteers from the CFPC will also be tending the Calgary Downtown Community Garden... just the tip of the iceberg lettuce!

Herald Op Ed: Calgary should implement its own pesticide directive

2009-06-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

This post from CivicCamp Calgary...

Thank you to Gideon Forman, ED of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, for supporting the phase out of pesticides used for non-essential or cosmetic purposes!

Robin McLeod
Coalition for a Healthy Calgary

Calgary should implement its own pesticide directive
BY GIDEON FORMAN, FOR THE CALGARY HERALDJUNE 1, 2009

On July, 15, 2008, Calgary city council directed staff to draft a bylaw banning non-essential pesticides and bring it to the Utilities and Environment Committee no later than October, 2009.

It seemed like a simple directive and following its passage the Herald reported that "city staff said what happens next is clear: a bylaw phasing out the use of pesticides will be brought forward in the fall of 2009."

But what staff once labelled clear they now label unclear. They now say the issue is mired in confusion and they are calling for a delay of the whole process until April, 2010.

We in the health community believe there is, in fact, no confusion here. Rather, "lack of clarity" is being used as an excuse to sideline the pesticide issue until the spring --pushing it into an election year during which aldermen will be reluctant to pass it. It's a clever strategy by anti-ban fanatics, but it doesn't leave the people of Calgary well-served.

Full story...Calgary should implement its own pesticide directive

Media Advisory: CFPC/2011 & Partners... Urban Ag Garden Launch Tuesday, June 2, 2009 @ 10:30am

2009-06-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Everyone is welcome to attend...

What: Urban Community Garden Pilot Project Launch

When: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
10:30am
Where: West side Barclay Parade (3 Street SW)
between 5 Avenue and 6 Avenue

Media Advisory

Community Garden grows amidst office towers in Downtown Calgary

May 29, 2009 (Calgary Alberta) – Community gardens are not a new concept to Calgary and can be found in many residential communities. These gardens provide access to fresh produce and help with neighbourhood improvement by aiding in a sense of community. However, never have they been located in an urban environment surrounded by office towers and low residential density.

Downtown Calgary in partnership with the Calgary Food Policy Council, Sunnyside Home and Garden Centre, the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank and The City of Calgary are proud to announce the first Urban Community Garden in Calgary.

Two flower planters measuring 952 square feet on Barclay Parade were transformed into a community garden over the May long weekend. The fresh harvested herbs and vegetables will be donated to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. The gardens are planted and maintained completely by volunteers.

This project is designed to add vitality to the core, engage and give back to the community in a new and innovative way.

Please join us as we launch this great downtown initiative on National Hunger Awareness Day. Representatives from Downtown Calgary, the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank and the Calgary Food Policy Council will be available for interviews.

What: Urban Community Garden Pilot Project Launch

When: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
10:30am

Where: West side Barclay Parade (3 Street SW)
between 5 Avenue and 6 Avenue

Organic Dairies Watch the Good Times Turn Bad

2009-05-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

Organic Dairies Watch the Good Times Turn Bad

When Ken Preston went organic on his dairy farm here in 2005, he figured that doing so would guarantee him what had long been elusive: a stable, high price for the milk from his cows.

Sure enough, his income soared 20 percent, and he could finally afford a Chevy Silverado pickup to help out. The dairy conglomerate that distributed his milk wanted everything Mr. Preston could supply. Supermarket orders were skyrocketing.

But soon the price of organic feed shot up. Then the recession hit, and families looking to save on groceries found organic milk easy to do without. Ultimately the conglomerate, with a glut of product, said it would not renew his contract next month, leaving him with nowhere to sell his milk, a victim of trends that are crippling many organic dairy farmers from coast to coast.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/us/29dairy.html?_r=1

Next CFPC Meeting... 09June09, Tuesday @ 1900 @ The Living Room, 514 - 17 Ave SW

2009-05-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

Next CFPC Meeting... 09June09, Tuesday @ 1900 @ The Living Room, 514 - 17 Ave SW
featuring Plan It Calgary & how it addresses Urban Ag issues.

Agenda items can be submitted to growingspaces@2011calgary.ca

Calgary RiverFest & NYC Times Square goes Car Free

2009-05-26T04:28:00.000-07:00

Pedestrians enjoy first day of car-free stretches of Broadway at Times Square, Herald Square
NYC Times Square goes Car Free

DE:Lawning, Planting Party, Urban Chickens & next CFPC meeting...

2009-05-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

Killarney DE:Lawning No Dig/Live Mulch Project

1. Planting the seeds of change! Everyone welcome to drop by the Calgary downtown urban ag pilot garden planting on Sunday, 24May09 on Barkley Mall 6 ave & 3 st @ 2pm - 4pm
CFPC sponsored... A new 2011 x 2011 Garden!

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

2. Backyard Coops Make Chicks Chic
http://tinyurl.com/UrbanChicken2

3. Next CFPC meeting... The Living Room, 514 - 17 Ave SW on 09June09 @ 1900

More Gardens!

Next meeting of the Calgary Food Policy Council: 12May09 @ 7pm

2009-05-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

Next meeting of the Calgary Food Policy Council: 12May09 @ 7pm

http://www.2011calgary.ca/

http://www.avenuecalgary.com/current-issue

Next meeting of the Calgary Food Policy Council: Knox United 14April09 @ 7pm

2009-04-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

Next meeting of the Calgary Food Policy Council: Knox United 14April09 @ 7pm

“In my role as chairman, I’ve emphasized the importance of the growing markets for organic, locally grown and sustainable agriculture as exciting new opportunities in agriculture,” Peterson said.

“Local food can provide opportunities for profit for farmers and other rural entrepreneurs and main street businesses who want to participate in processing and distributing food,” Peterson said. “This is an opportunity to learn how your community can use USDA programs as engines for economic development that will benefit farmers, rural communities, development organizations, businesses, and individuals.”

http://www.crookstontimes.com/news/x1098983650/Peterson-to-host-forum-on-community-based-food-groups

More White House Organic Vegetable Garden pics... Michelle Obama

2009-03-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

More White House Organic Vegetable Garden pics... Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama breaks ground for the White House Organic Garden

2009-03-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden!!

2009-03-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Obamas to Plant Garden on White House Lawn

Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden

24 Sussex is next...

2011 New Growing Spaces Nomination & Next CFPC Meeting

2009-03-01T20:45:00.000-08:00

2011 New Growing Spaces Nominations
Nominate a space here... http://www.2011calgary.ca/

Next CFPC Open Meeting...
March 10 at 7 p.m. at O Restaurant (2018 33rd Ave. S.W.). Everyone is welcome.

CFPC Wordle

Info on the CFPC... Update 17Feb09

2009-02-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2009-02-11T11:44:00.000-08:00

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...

2009-02-11T00:11:00.000-08:00

Ingredient Reality Check... What is that stuff?

2009-02-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

Ingredient Reality Check... What is that stuff?

Ingredient decoder

2011 x 2011... 2011 New Growing Spaces in Calgary by 2011

2009-01-28T16:40:00.002-08:00

2011 x 2011... 2011 New Growing Spaces in Calgary by 2011

The 2011 blog...

http://2011x2011calgary.blogspot.com/

Join the 2011 x 2011 group and stay in the loop... http://groups.google.com/group/2011x2011

2011 x 2011... 2011 New Growing Spaces in Calgary by 2011

2009-01-28T16:40:00.001-08:00

http://2011x2011calgary.blogspot.com/

Next CFPC Meeting CFPC meeting: Thursday, 15Jan09 at 7PM; HYATT Neilson 3. It can be accessed from the 3rd floor banquet level.

2009-01-14T22:13:00.000-08:00

Next CFPC Meeting CFPC meeting: Thursday, 15Jan09 at 7PM; HYATT Neilson 3. It can be accessed from the 3rd floor banquet level.

Calgary Food Quick Links... Seeding Calgary with Nutrition

2008-12-12T09:57:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Quick Links... Seeding Calgary with Nutrition

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

Calgary Urban Ag Blog...
http://calgaryurbanagriculture.blogspot.com/

Urban Ag Wiki on Activist.ca
http://activism.ca/wiki/Urban_agriculture

Next Calgary Food Policy meeting: 15Jan09 @ 7 pm @ The Hyatt All welcome!

Calgary Food Policy Council Meeting 11Dec08 @ 7pm @ Westin

2008-12-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Policy Council Meeting 11Dec08 @ 7pm @ Westin in Nakiska Room

Everyone invited...

Calgary Food Policy Council has a WIKI!

2008-12-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

Calgary Food Policy Council has a WIKI!

Calgary Food Policy Council Wiki

Everyone is welcome to visit and grow the database.

Next meeting of the Calgary Food Policy Council is 11Dec08.

contact Paul for details... paul@earthsofft.com

Calgary Food Policy Council Meeting

2008-10-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the Calgary Food Policy Council Meeting last night.

A very diverse group discussed issues related to the local food system. There was considerable discussion about strategy.

The next meeting is scheduled for 17Nov08. Rob Avis will chair the next meeting. Send agenda submissions to him directly: rob.avis {at} gmail {dot}com

Everyone is welcome!

To subscribe to COMFOOD: http://www.foodsecurity.org/list.html
This list is nothing short of brilliant. over 2000 subscribers.

Link to the Toronto Food Policy Council:
http://www.toronto.ca/health/tfpc_index.htm

"The TFPC operates as a sub-committee of the Toronto Board of Health. Our members include City Councillors, and volunteer representatives from consumer, business, farm, labour, multicultural, anti-hunger advocacy, faith, and community development groups."

TFPC: "It's the power of ideas, inspired individuals and empowered communities that gives us influence."

The Calgary Food Policy Council url's:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23936079065
Info on the role of Food Policy Council's and links to related information.

http://calgaryfoodpolicy.blogspot.com/
The Calgary Food Policy Council blog

Paul Hughes
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Calgary Food Policy Council

2008-10-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

Calgary Food Policy Council

Welcome to the Calgary Food Policy Council blog.

When is the best time for the Calgary Food Policy Council meeting? ( polls)

Poll: Meeting on October 27 or 28 @ 5pm or 7pm @ The Art Gallery of Calgary... go to CFPC site to vote: http://calgaryfoodpolicy.blogspot.com/

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

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

CFPC Agenda (as of 13Oct08)
1. Welcome from Director
2. CFPC Objectives: Open Discussion
3. Urban Farming in Calgary
4. Chickens
5. Health Authority
6. Calgary Board of Education
7. Delegation to the City of Calgary
8. Committees
9. Governance
10. New Business
11. Adjourn

Agenda submissions invited. Email to paul@earthsofft.com

There will be many positions available for those so motivated...
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
Winston Churchill

Hope to see lots of you out to the meeting. Bring your ideas.

~Towards a just and sustainable food system for Calgary~

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.

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.