Our Community, Our Food! What does the state of our community food - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Our Community, Our Food! What does the state of our community food system mean to YOU? Community Food Consultation Workshop

Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Regional Food Assessment 3. SD&G/Cornwall Regional Food Assessment 4. Activity 1- Asset Mapping 5. Activity 2- Regional Concerns and Discussion 6. Activity 3- Visioning for the Future

WELCOME!

Before we begin... Please help yourself to the light local refreshments provided. You are welcome to leave whenever you wish, however your input will be greatly appreciated throughout the evening!

The Food System Model Natural Resources/ Economic Environmental Systems Systems DISTRIBUTION CONSUMERS RECYCLING Social/ Cultural Political Systems Systems

What is a LOCAL Food System? A Local Food System is a food system in which food production, processing, distribution, and consumption are integrated locally to enhance the environmental, economic, social, and nutritional health of a particular area. This can be at any level: neighbourhood, city, or region.

Regional Food Assessment

Assessment Affiliates McConnell Foundation Strategic Vision “...Envisions a food system that links growers and consumers in supply chains that incorporate shared values around sustainability, health, and resilience.” (http://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca/en/programs/sustainable-food-systems) All Things Food Mission and Vision “ Our mission: To increase access to local, healthy and sustainable food for all residents of SD&G. Our vision: Healthy and sustainable communities that are food secure.” (http://allthingsfoodbouffe360.ca/en/about-us/)

What is a Food Assessment? • Discusses food related issues with a ‘holistic’ approach. • Assesses the current strengths, weaknesses, and assets of a community’s food system. • Seeks to build community food security (food for all!) • Encourages community members to network, share resources, and participate in the food system. • Offers “local” self -sufficient alternatives to the “global” food system.

Stormont, Dundas,& Glengarry, Cornwall/ Akwesasne Goals: • To develop a stronger and widespread understanding of our local food system. • To enable a “scaling up” of these systems, and support producers, providers, distributers, and consumers. • To create a network to encourage interested buyers, build relationships, engage the community to develop a local and sustainable food system.

Our Regional Food Assessment A Two-Fold Process The first part of the assessment is research based: • Evaluates the demand for local and sustainable food in SD&G; • Evaluates the production capacity to meet that demand; • Evaluates linkages between supply and demand • Conducts a critical analysis of current barriers, gaps and opportunities; and • Reports on the most promising projects in our region.

Our Regional Food Assessment The second part of our assessment is community based: • Hold a series of Community Food Workshops in each county in SDG to learn more about each community’s perspectives on their local food system; • Interview chosen producers, consumers, distributers, and institutions in each county.

Examples From Elsewhere

Activity 1 ASSET MAPPING

Questions to Ask... What kind of ‘food assets’ are present in your county today? Are they being used? Examples: • Brown fields/unused land • Community kitchens and food space • Gardens, greenhouses, spaces for expansion • Storage, processing, retail spaces (unused buildings) • Potential producers, buyers, distributers, recycling sites? • Skilled individuals to provide knowledge, workshops, gardening and lessons, etc)

Activity 2 Discussion

Questions to Ask... What is your impression of our food system in Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, Cornwall/Akwesasne? What are the strengths of the food system presently? What are some of the weaknesses?

Activity 3 Visioning

Questions to Ask... “A Sustainable Local Food System is one that is/and or has...” How do you imagine our Local Food System to look like in 5, 10 years? “What changes need to be made for this ‘Vision’ to be actualized?”

THANK YOU!

How to get involved... • Become an All Things Food Network Member • Stay updated on local food events and initiatives: • Facebook http://www.facebook.com/AllThingsFoodBouffe360 • All Things Food website www.allthingsfoodbouffe360.com • Provide workshop and assessment feedback to: julia@allthingsfoodbouffe360.ca • Check out your local library for books, videos, and resource materials on topics such as sustainability, local food, and food security!

Sources “A Primer on Community Food Systems: Linking Food, Nutrition, & Agriculture.” Cornell University All Things Food, www.allthingsfoodbouffe360.com Donovan, Colleen. “ What’s a “CFA” or Community Food Assessment?” (2007) McConnell Foundation, http://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca/en/programs/sustainab le-food-systems Pothukuchi , Joseph, et al., “What’s Cooking in Your Food System?- A Guide to Community Food Assessment” (2002)