Improved forages can boost milk production in Tanzania’s HighlandsILRI
Poster prepared by Solomon Mwendia, Rolf Sommer, Cyril Lissu, Beatus Nzogela and Paul Birthe for the Maziwa Zaidi Policy Forum, Dar es Salaam, 23-24 May 2017
The Blue Zones Project aims to make Cedar Rapids, Iowa a healthier community by encouraging citizens, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, and workplaces to adopt more healthy practices and policies. Some key initiatives include developing bicycle infrastructure, promoting safe routes to school, supporting community gardens and urban farming, updating school wellness policies, and encouraging workplaces to offer healthier foods and activities to employees. The overall goal is to make staying active and eating well an easier and more accessible choice for everyone in the community.
Nourishing people and planet with aquatic foodsWorldFish
Presentation by panelists Shakuntala Thilsted, Molly Ahern, Patrick Webb, Tinna Manani, Mrityunjoy Kunda, Ravishankar C.N. and Sandra Caroline Grant on 'Nourishing people and planet with aquatic foods' at the UN Food System Summit Science Day Side Event on Tuesday, 6 July 2021.
Feed & Seed is a company located in Greenville, South Carolina. It's a collaborative effort from farmers, educators, policy makers, health experts, and many more to connect food from the farms to our tables.
Presentation to The Future of Local Food MAV Conference 180914Lee Tozzi
The document outlines Darebin City Council's Urban Food Production Strategy, which aims to develop a local food system that is healthy, sustainable, and promotes food security and culture. The strategy identifies key action areas like home food growing, community gardens, and integrated planning to support urban food production. It also discusses Council's role in community capacity building, advocacy, and partnering to realize the vision of a thriving local food system.
The document outlines a disaster preparedness and crisis management plan for Barguna District, Bangladesh. It discusses the district's culture, demographics, and vulnerabilities. It advocates for an integrated approach focusing on partnership, sustainability, and empowering local capacities. The four-pillar plan includes strategies for community preparedness, housing, livelihoods, and water/sanitation. Housing and livelihoods projects aim to strengthen the community, while water/sanitation projects improve health. Metrics and budgets are provided to evaluate outcomes and ensure sustainability.
Transforming food systems with aquatic foods: Access to sustainable, safe and...WorldFish
Presentation by panelists Prof Hettie Schönfeldt, Merete Tandstad, Dr. Arun Padiyar and Dr. António Marques on 'Access to sustainable, safe and nutritious food for all' at the Independent Food Systems Dialogue on Friday, 30 April 2021.
Supporting the local food movement by buying and eating the local foodMd. Tasdikul Islam Khan
This document presents an argument for supporting the local food movement by buying and eating local food. It defines local food as food sold from farmer to consumer or farmer to retailer. Supporting local food provides physical and mental health benefits, environmental benefits like preserving green space and reducing food travel, and economic benefits like supporting local farmers and economies. References are provided for additional information on the local food movement.
Improved forages can boost milk production in Tanzania’s HighlandsILRI
Poster prepared by Solomon Mwendia, Rolf Sommer, Cyril Lissu, Beatus Nzogela and Paul Birthe for the Maziwa Zaidi Policy Forum, Dar es Salaam, 23-24 May 2017
The Blue Zones Project aims to make Cedar Rapids, Iowa a healthier community by encouraging citizens, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, and workplaces to adopt more healthy practices and policies. Some key initiatives include developing bicycle infrastructure, promoting safe routes to school, supporting community gardens and urban farming, updating school wellness policies, and encouraging workplaces to offer healthier foods and activities to employees. The overall goal is to make staying active and eating well an easier and more accessible choice for everyone in the community.
Nourishing people and planet with aquatic foodsWorldFish
Presentation by panelists Shakuntala Thilsted, Molly Ahern, Patrick Webb, Tinna Manani, Mrityunjoy Kunda, Ravishankar C.N. and Sandra Caroline Grant on 'Nourishing people and planet with aquatic foods' at the UN Food System Summit Science Day Side Event on Tuesday, 6 July 2021.
Feed & Seed is a company located in Greenville, South Carolina. It's a collaborative effort from farmers, educators, policy makers, health experts, and many more to connect food from the farms to our tables.
Presentation to The Future of Local Food MAV Conference 180914Lee Tozzi
The document outlines Darebin City Council's Urban Food Production Strategy, which aims to develop a local food system that is healthy, sustainable, and promotes food security and culture. The strategy identifies key action areas like home food growing, community gardens, and integrated planning to support urban food production. It also discusses Council's role in community capacity building, advocacy, and partnering to realize the vision of a thriving local food system.
The document outlines a disaster preparedness and crisis management plan for Barguna District, Bangladesh. It discusses the district's culture, demographics, and vulnerabilities. It advocates for an integrated approach focusing on partnership, sustainability, and empowering local capacities. The four-pillar plan includes strategies for community preparedness, housing, livelihoods, and water/sanitation. Housing and livelihoods projects aim to strengthen the community, while water/sanitation projects improve health. Metrics and budgets are provided to evaluate outcomes and ensure sustainability.
Transforming food systems with aquatic foods: Access to sustainable, safe and...WorldFish
Presentation by panelists Prof Hettie Schönfeldt, Merete Tandstad, Dr. Arun Padiyar and Dr. António Marques on 'Access to sustainable, safe and nutritious food for all' at the Independent Food Systems Dialogue on Friday, 30 April 2021.
Supporting the local food movement by buying and eating the local foodMd. Tasdikul Islam Khan
This document presents an argument for supporting the local food movement by buying and eating local food. It defines local food as food sold from farmer to consumer or farmer to retailer. Supporting local food provides physical and mental health benefits, environmental benefits like preserving green space and reducing food travel, and economic benefits like supporting local farmers and economies. References are provided for additional information on the local food movement.
The Regional Food Policy Council was established in 2010 by the Puget Sound Regional Council to bring together stakeholders from across the food system and develop integrated policy recommendations. The Council has a diverse membership of 30 organizations. Its vision is for a thriving, just, and sustainable regional food system that improves health, communities, economies, and environments. Its goals are to strengthen agriculture, promote economic development, increase education, protect the environment, ensure equity and access to food, and improve public health.
Brooke Oot is seeking a position in the food processing industry utilizing her Bachelor of Science in Food Science from the University of Georgia. She has relevant work experience as an intern at a cheese making farm and in various roles at her university including as a Resident Assistant. She also has food science experience developing new food products and packaging.
This document describes the Appal-TREE Project, a community-based participatory research initiative in Letcher County, Kentucky aimed at promoting healthy eating in Appalachia. The 3-year planning grant involved a community assessment, establishment of an advisory board, and qualitative research to determine priorities. Key issues identified were cost of healthy food and youth consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in schools. The intervention included cooking classes, free water stations in schools, and a summer feeding program at a farmers market. Preliminary outcomes found increases in fruit and vegetable consumption and decreases in candy and chips from cooking classes, and increased water consumption from the water stations compared to controls. Next steps involve continuing and evaluating the programs and replicating in
From Soil to Sovereignty—Good Food for AllNFCACoops
This keynote presentation was given by Ruth Tyson, Coalitions Coordinator for the Food & Environment program at Union of Concerned Scientists, from Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Eighth Annual Meeting & Celebration. Tyson facilitates the Good Food for All Coalition, which unites grassroots and national organizations around a vision for a just, equitable, and sustainable food system. Tyson asked NFCA's member food co-ops to consider: "How well does your Co-op’s Membership, Staff, and Board represent your community’s demographics? What are you doing to increase this representation and participation, and how can you, as an association of Co-ops, use your collective purchasing power and policy advocacy to support racial equity in the food system?”
The document summarizes an APICS Central Iowa professional development meeting on April 17th 2019 about conducting a kaizen event at the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry. It provides an overview of DMARC's mission to assist those in need through its network of 14 partner food pantries. It describes DMARC's history and commitment to interfaith engagement and providing healthy food options. The kaizen event aimed to identify ways to improve DMARC's operations and assist more individuals through its food pantry network.
Bi-State Health-Related Activities and Bi-State Servicesnado-web
During the 2016 NADO Annual Training Conference, Denise Bulat, Executive Director of the Bi-State Regional Commission, discussed the work of the agency in partnering with health agencies to improve health outcomes in a variety of ways.
Kristie Rauter, Community Health Improvement Planner from the Wood County Health Department, presented on Get Active Wood County, an initiative aimed at obesity prevention at the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation's Annual Gathering event. She spoke about the collaboration between the Health Department, local businesses, schools and non-profit organizations to create a healthier Wood County.
This document summarizes two case studies on community-based inland fisheries in villages in West Bengal, India. In the first village, Jadurbankata, the approaches were scattered and subsistence-focused. Challenges included lack of credit, infrastructure, and understanding of management practices. In the second village, Saluni, the community convinced men to participate and had innovative solutions for water supply and theft protection. They also had stronger market focus and calculations. Overall, lessons indicate a need for more leadership, infrastructure, capacity building, and shifting attitudes from subsistence to profit-focus. The recommendations include developing local water supplies, capacity building, and converging other programs to access funds.
Gender-differentiated needs and preferences of farmers for Rohu fish in Bangl...WorldFish
Presentation by Mamta Mehar, Mekkawy Wagdy, Cynthia McDougall and John Benzie at 7th Global Conference on Gender in Aquaculture & Fisheries (GAF7) held in Bangkok, Thailand on 18th October 2018
Nutrition and Gardening Programs: A Way to Collaborate with Your Extension Co...sondramilkie
This document discusses several community garden and nutrition programs run by UW-Cooperative Extension in various counties. It provides details about:
1) Programs in Rock County that include a jail garden providing produce to local WIC clinics, senior housing, and food pantries.
2) Programs in Waukesha County harvesting over 2,000 pounds of produce annually in partnership with various organizations.
3) The Oconto County program that partners with multiple schools, organizations, and agencies to distribute seeds and food from their community garden.
4) Expansion of the Douglas County garden project since 2008 to multiple shelter gardens and churches providing food for meals and food pantries.
The document summarizes activities of the Indonesian Network for System of Rice Intensification (INA-SRI). It discusses that INA-SRI was established in 2008 and has over 500 members. It aims to promote SRI techniques which can increase rice productivity while reducing water usage and emissions. INA-SRI conducts field trials, training programs, and research collaborations among universities, institutes, and farmer groups. It has helped expand SRI area in Indonesia to over 140,000 hectares by 2015, and will continue trials on optimizing water usage and controlling emissions from rice farming.
The Kentucky Beef Network (KBN) manages state grant funds to provide on-farm support, education, and resources to help Kentucky beef cattle farmers improve animal health, genetics, forages, and marketing opportunities. KBN focuses on enhancing producer profitability through partnerships with University of Kentucky Extension and management of the Eden Shale Farm and Learning Center. Key areas of focus include assisting small farmers in Eastern Kentucky to improve management practices like calving windows and pregnancy rates through hands-on learning. Programs also aim to finish cattle at three locations and provide education on topics from receiving to carcass evaluation through the Pasture to Plate initiative.
CTTT Assessment Tool: Survey for Congregational LeadersRAFI-USA
This document contains a survey for congregational leaders to assess existing programs, skills, assets, and local food issues in their community. The survey questions are grouped into the following categories: existing programs at the congregation related to social issues and food assistance; existing skills and assets of congregation members that could assist with a local food project; where members obtain food and what local farms produce; and challenges and opportunities for partnering with local farmers and addressing food insecurity.
This presentation from the afternoon of Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Eighth Annual Meeting & Celebration includes the Neighboring Co-operator Awardee (Patrice Lockert Anthony), presentation on Addressing Climate Change:, and important upcoming event dates.
The "Addressing Climate Change: From Advocacy to Operations" workshop covers how co-ops and their members can work together to differentiate ourselves as more sustainable, community-based businesses?
Panelists include:
• Terry Bowling, NCG, Facilitator
• Cat Buxton, Board, Upper Valley Food Co-op
• Kari Bradley, GM, Hunger Mountain Co-op
• Ed Fox, GM, Co-op Food Stores
FRIEND Fiji - Going to Scale with Smart Investments in Community Food Product...Jana Dietershagen
- Fiji has experienced a health crisis with 70% of deaths from non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes. This is attributed to a shift away from nutrient-rich local foods to processed foods.
- When the pandemic hit, many lost their jobs in tourism and had trouble feeding their families. FRIEND responded by providing food banks, seedlings, and training in food preservation and urban gardening to grow local foods.
- Partnerships were formed between organizations, communities, and the government to promote communal gardens, resilient crop varieties, and new food systems focused on local foods to improve nutrition and food security.
This document summarizes case studies of various funding sources that have supported sustainable local food systems in Midwest communities. It provides examples of grants, donations, and partnerships that have helped fund farmers markets, food hubs, school food procurement, and other local food initiatives. Lessons learned include the importance of strong partnerships, engaging communities, and not assuming you have all the answers. Funding sources like USDA grants, foundation grants, cooperative development grants, and event sponsorships have helped launch and sustain these local food system projects.
Jan Willem Ketelaar - Save and Grow - Green rice LandscapesSri Lmb
1) The document outlines results from projects promoting sustainable intensification of rice production systems in Asia through farmer field schools and case studies from Lao PDR.
2) Key findings include increased rice yields and incomes alongside reduced input use through diversified rice-fish and rice-vegetable systems.
3) Effective communication of results to policymakers is needed to facilitate scaling out of climate-smart practices and rice sector transformation through enabling policies and investments in smallholder farmer training.
Author : Robert Bimba
Title: Community of Hope Agriculture Project Update to Liberia MOA 2019
Date: January 11, 2019
Venue: Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room at the MOA Extension Department
The East Valencia Urban Gardens Program aims to build climate resiliency, protect soil and water resources, and increase access to healthy local food and economic opportunities through youth in the Meadow Lake and Cerro Mission areas of Valencia County, New Mexico. The program established demonstration gardens in 2016 that provide educational opportunities and classes. A youth internship program and East Mesa Grower's Market were also created. The program seeks to expand garden spaces, partner with more schools, and create district-wide farming internships through collaborations with local organizations.
This document discusses a presentation given by Tyler Plante from Wilfrid Laurier University's Sustainability Office on local and sustainable food systems. The presentation covers the problems of climate change and the benefits of supporting local farmers and economies through buying local food. It provides information on initiatives at Laurier like the campus farm market and Young City Growers program. Recommendations are made for individuals to make informed choices and support local growers through markets and other resources in Waterloo Region.
The document summarizes the agenda and discussions from the Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Fall Gathering. Key topics included the NFCA's priorities around organizational development, marketing, regional sourcing, and network partnerships. There was also a discussion of the NFCA's work to increase healthy food access and address food insecurity in the region through collaboration with other organizations. A presentation was given on creating a welcoming food co-op for low-income individuals and families.
The Regional Food Policy Council was established in 2010 by the Puget Sound Regional Council to bring together stakeholders from across the food system and develop integrated policy recommendations. The Council has a diverse membership of 30 organizations. Its vision is for a thriving, just, and sustainable regional food system that improves health, communities, economies, and environments. Its goals are to strengthen agriculture, promote economic development, increase education, protect the environment, ensure equity and access to food, and improve public health.
Brooke Oot is seeking a position in the food processing industry utilizing her Bachelor of Science in Food Science from the University of Georgia. She has relevant work experience as an intern at a cheese making farm and in various roles at her university including as a Resident Assistant. She also has food science experience developing new food products and packaging.
This document describes the Appal-TREE Project, a community-based participatory research initiative in Letcher County, Kentucky aimed at promoting healthy eating in Appalachia. The 3-year planning grant involved a community assessment, establishment of an advisory board, and qualitative research to determine priorities. Key issues identified were cost of healthy food and youth consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in schools. The intervention included cooking classes, free water stations in schools, and a summer feeding program at a farmers market. Preliminary outcomes found increases in fruit and vegetable consumption and decreases in candy and chips from cooking classes, and increased water consumption from the water stations compared to controls. Next steps involve continuing and evaluating the programs and replicating in
From Soil to Sovereignty—Good Food for AllNFCACoops
This keynote presentation was given by Ruth Tyson, Coalitions Coordinator for the Food & Environment program at Union of Concerned Scientists, from Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Eighth Annual Meeting & Celebration. Tyson facilitates the Good Food for All Coalition, which unites grassroots and national organizations around a vision for a just, equitable, and sustainable food system. Tyson asked NFCA's member food co-ops to consider: "How well does your Co-op’s Membership, Staff, and Board represent your community’s demographics? What are you doing to increase this representation and participation, and how can you, as an association of Co-ops, use your collective purchasing power and policy advocacy to support racial equity in the food system?”
The document summarizes an APICS Central Iowa professional development meeting on April 17th 2019 about conducting a kaizen event at the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry. It provides an overview of DMARC's mission to assist those in need through its network of 14 partner food pantries. It describes DMARC's history and commitment to interfaith engagement and providing healthy food options. The kaizen event aimed to identify ways to improve DMARC's operations and assist more individuals through its food pantry network.
Bi-State Health-Related Activities and Bi-State Servicesnado-web
During the 2016 NADO Annual Training Conference, Denise Bulat, Executive Director of the Bi-State Regional Commission, discussed the work of the agency in partnering with health agencies to improve health outcomes in a variety of ways.
Kristie Rauter, Community Health Improvement Planner from the Wood County Health Department, presented on Get Active Wood County, an initiative aimed at obesity prevention at the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation's Annual Gathering event. She spoke about the collaboration between the Health Department, local businesses, schools and non-profit organizations to create a healthier Wood County.
This document summarizes two case studies on community-based inland fisheries in villages in West Bengal, India. In the first village, Jadurbankata, the approaches were scattered and subsistence-focused. Challenges included lack of credit, infrastructure, and understanding of management practices. In the second village, Saluni, the community convinced men to participate and had innovative solutions for water supply and theft protection. They also had stronger market focus and calculations. Overall, lessons indicate a need for more leadership, infrastructure, capacity building, and shifting attitudes from subsistence to profit-focus. The recommendations include developing local water supplies, capacity building, and converging other programs to access funds.
Gender-differentiated needs and preferences of farmers for Rohu fish in Bangl...WorldFish
Presentation by Mamta Mehar, Mekkawy Wagdy, Cynthia McDougall and John Benzie at 7th Global Conference on Gender in Aquaculture & Fisheries (GAF7) held in Bangkok, Thailand on 18th October 2018
Nutrition and Gardening Programs: A Way to Collaborate with Your Extension Co...sondramilkie
This document discusses several community garden and nutrition programs run by UW-Cooperative Extension in various counties. It provides details about:
1) Programs in Rock County that include a jail garden providing produce to local WIC clinics, senior housing, and food pantries.
2) Programs in Waukesha County harvesting over 2,000 pounds of produce annually in partnership with various organizations.
3) The Oconto County program that partners with multiple schools, organizations, and agencies to distribute seeds and food from their community garden.
4) Expansion of the Douglas County garden project since 2008 to multiple shelter gardens and churches providing food for meals and food pantries.
The document summarizes activities of the Indonesian Network for System of Rice Intensification (INA-SRI). It discusses that INA-SRI was established in 2008 and has over 500 members. It aims to promote SRI techniques which can increase rice productivity while reducing water usage and emissions. INA-SRI conducts field trials, training programs, and research collaborations among universities, institutes, and farmer groups. It has helped expand SRI area in Indonesia to over 140,000 hectares by 2015, and will continue trials on optimizing water usage and controlling emissions from rice farming.
The Kentucky Beef Network (KBN) manages state grant funds to provide on-farm support, education, and resources to help Kentucky beef cattle farmers improve animal health, genetics, forages, and marketing opportunities. KBN focuses on enhancing producer profitability through partnerships with University of Kentucky Extension and management of the Eden Shale Farm and Learning Center. Key areas of focus include assisting small farmers in Eastern Kentucky to improve management practices like calving windows and pregnancy rates through hands-on learning. Programs also aim to finish cattle at three locations and provide education on topics from receiving to carcass evaluation through the Pasture to Plate initiative.
CTTT Assessment Tool: Survey for Congregational LeadersRAFI-USA
This document contains a survey for congregational leaders to assess existing programs, skills, assets, and local food issues in their community. The survey questions are grouped into the following categories: existing programs at the congregation related to social issues and food assistance; existing skills and assets of congregation members that could assist with a local food project; where members obtain food and what local farms produce; and challenges and opportunities for partnering with local farmers and addressing food insecurity.
This presentation from the afternoon of Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Eighth Annual Meeting & Celebration includes the Neighboring Co-operator Awardee (Patrice Lockert Anthony), presentation on Addressing Climate Change:, and important upcoming event dates.
The "Addressing Climate Change: From Advocacy to Operations" workshop covers how co-ops and their members can work together to differentiate ourselves as more sustainable, community-based businesses?
Panelists include:
• Terry Bowling, NCG, Facilitator
• Cat Buxton, Board, Upper Valley Food Co-op
• Kari Bradley, GM, Hunger Mountain Co-op
• Ed Fox, GM, Co-op Food Stores
FRIEND Fiji - Going to Scale with Smart Investments in Community Food Product...Jana Dietershagen
- Fiji has experienced a health crisis with 70% of deaths from non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes. This is attributed to a shift away from nutrient-rich local foods to processed foods.
- When the pandemic hit, many lost their jobs in tourism and had trouble feeding their families. FRIEND responded by providing food banks, seedlings, and training in food preservation and urban gardening to grow local foods.
- Partnerships were formed between organizations, communities, and the government to promote communal gardens, resilient crop varieties, and new food systems focused on local foods to improve nutrition and food security.
This document summarizes case studies of various funding sources that have supported sustainable local food systems in Midwest communities. It provides examples of grants, donations, and partnerships that have helped fund farmers markets, food hubs, school food procurement, and other local food initiatives. Lessons learned include the importance of strong partnerships, engaging communities, and not assuming you have all the answers. Funding sources like USDA grants, foundation grants, cooperative development grants, and event sponsorships have helped launch and sustain these local food system projects.
Jan Willem Ketelaar - Save and Grow - Green rice LandscapesSri Lmb
1) The document outlines results from projects promoting sustainable intensification of rice production systems in Asia through farmer field schools and case studies from Lao PDR.
2) Key findings include increased rice yields and incomes alongside reduced input use through diversified rice-fish and rice-vegetable systems.
3) Effective communication of results to policymakers is needed to facilitate scaling out of climate-smart practices and rice sector transformation through enabling policies and investments in smallholder farmer training.
Author : Robert Bimba
Title: Community of Hope Agriculture Project Update to Liberia MOA 2019
Date: January 11, 2019
Venue: Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room at the MOA Extension Department
The East Valencia Urban Gardens Program aims to build climate resiliency, protect soil and water resources, and increase access to healthy local food and economic opportunities through youth in the Meadow Lake and Cerro Mission areas of Valencia County, New Mexico. The program established demonstration gardens in 2016 that provide educational opportunities and classes. A youth internship program and East Mesa Grower's Market were also created. The program seeks to expand garden spaces, partner with more schools, and create district-wide farming internships through collaborations with local organizations.
This document discusses a presentation given by Tyler Plante from Wilfrid Laurier University's Sustainability Office on local and sustainable food systems. The presentation covers the problems of climate change and the benefits of supporting local farmers and economies through buying local food. It provides information on initiatives at Laurier like the campus farm market and Young City Growers program. Recommendations are made for individuals to make informed choices and support local growers through markets and other resources in Waterloo Region.
The document summarizes the agenda and discussions from the Neighboring Food Co-op Association's Fall Gathering. Key topics included the NFCA's priorities around organizational development, marketing, regional sourcing, and network partnerships. There was also a discussion of the NFCA's work to increase healthy food access and address food insecurity in the region through collaboration with other organizations. A presentation was given on creating a welcoming food co-op for low-income individuals and families.
The document outlines an intern project proposal to introduce and promote community gardens to clients of the Food Access and Sustainability Department (FASD) in order to increase access to nutritious foods and education. The proposal discusses three strategies: 1) Nutrition intern outreach at school pantries to provide information about nearby community gardens, 2) Adding a community gardens section to FASD's website, and 3) Helping to create and support better community gardens through workshops, curriculum development, and speakers. The effectiveness of these strategies would be measured by decreases in clients purchasing unhealthy food and increases in clients growing their own food, according to FASD's hunger study results. The proposal aligns with FASD's vision
The document discusses improving food security in Asheville and Buncombe County through the efforts of the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council. It outlines issues like food insecurity, causes like food deserts, and opportunities to address poverty, public health, local commerce and sustainability. Potential policies are proposed in areas like planning, parks, schools, economic development and emergency response to increase access to affordable, healthy local food. Collaboration with community stakeholders is emphasized to create a more food secure future.
The Unemployed Help Centre operates a food bank hub and food rescue program called Plentiful Harvest. The program (1) uses a refrigerated truck to collect fresh produce donations, (2) distributes the food to neighborhoods using a mobile food bank, and (3) operates a community garden and kitchen. It has rescued over 1.7 million pounds of food since 2012. The kitchen prepares meals for seniors and students. The program aims to reduce food waste and increase access to nutritious foods.
An introduction to The Ontario Farm to School Challenge program, initiated by FoodShare Toronto and Sustain Ontario with support from the Greenbelt Fund, encourages Ontario schools to increase local food procurement in school food programs.
The document summarizes the work of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in developing and promoting sustainable local food systems in North Carolina. CEFS has undertaken several initiatives including developing a statewide action plan through stakeholder engagement, research, and policy recommendations. The action plan identifies priorities and strategies across many areas including supporting farmers and farmland, developing infrastructure, expanding markets, and improving education and outreach. Implementation will involve ongoing stakeholder collaboration, research, and establishing a Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council. The goal is to strengthen North Carolina's local food economy and rural communities.
Food Co-ops: Making Healthy, Local Food More Accessible, NOFA SC, 8.11.13NFCACoops
Bonnie Hudspeth, Outreach Coordinator for the Neighboring Food Co-op Association & Micha Josephy, Program Manager for the Cooperative Fund of New England, share how twenty-nine New England food co-ops are collaborating to make wholesome, nutritious food more accessible to all community members. This presentation explores the capacity of food co-ops to increase access to healthy food for individuals/families with limited food budgets, and strategies to increase collaboration among food co-ops for a larger collective impact.
This PowerPoint presentation assists the discussion from the second City Exchange Project session. This sessions focuses on Race, Food Justice, and Policy Implications/Implementation. CRFS Project participants from 6 US cities participated in this discussion.
The webinar provided an overview of farm to school initiatives in the Great Lakes region. Speakers from USDA, National Farm to School Network, and state farm to school coordinators from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio discussed their programs and goals. Participants were polled to help plan an upcoming in-person regional meeting in Chicago to further collaboration on priorities like procurement, food safety, and identifying regional projects.
This document summarizes a presentation about reducing barriers to accessing cooperatives (co-ops). It discusses 5 main barriers to co-op access - collaboration, education, affordability, ownership, and infrastructure. It provides case studies of 4 New England food co-ops that have implemented programs to address these barriers, such as discount programs for low-income customers, co-op education courses, and mobile markets. The presentation encourages co-ops to share successful access programs and collaborate to improve healthy food access in their communities.
Engaging Social Entrepreneurs in Community-Based Participatory Solutions to F...Carolyn Zezima
2012 ASFS/AFHVS/SAFN Conference Global Gateways and Local Connections: Cities, Agriculture, and the Future of Food Systems
Carolyn Zezima, Director of Food and Nutrition Initiatives, Communities IMPACT Diabetes Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Despite increasing recognition that fresh, healthy, local foods are scarce in low-income communities, and the creation of a number of healthy food initiatives targeting these communities, historically underserved communities still lack novel, profitable, and sustainable businesses that supply healthy, affordable and taste-satisfying foods. Bringing together the business and public health sectors, Communities IMPACT Diabetes Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine invited business students to submit concepts and plans for viable, market and community-driven business solutions to one of our most pressing public health needs: healthy, affordable food in underserved communities. The proposed enterprises must have served communities with limited availability to healthy foods, be tailored to the particular assets and challenges in the communities, and must be developed in consultation with target communities. Proposals were judged by a panel of experts in business, food and local government. Teams competed for $25,000 in start-up funds and other business support services.
The Mohawk Valley Food Project was launched in 2011 with over 30 partners to establish a resilient regional food system and ensure access to affordable, healthy food for all. In 2013, they created the area's first Food Policy Council. They later received a USDA grant to improve food access through research and projects, with 14 local grantees. The Food Project works to foster regional self-reliance through a sustainable food system with locally grown, environmentally friendly food and by addressing issues of food insecurity and access through the Food Policy Council.
In the 4th session of the City Exchange Project, participants will discuss urban agricultural production -- benefits, challenges, auxiliary purposes, etc. -- and issues affecting land access in urban areas.
This document outlines the goals, approach, plans and successes of the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative, which aims to improve health and prevent obesity in rural areas through collaborative policy, systems and environmental changes. The Initiative uses an organizational learning and systems thinking approach, and has identified three strategies: 1) ensuring school policies support healthy living, 2) increasing access to local healthy food, and 3) supporting active transportation and physical activity. Early successes include doubling local food sales, certifying local food producers for schools, and forming Safe Routes to School teams in six counties. Resources for applying a systems approach are also provided.
Community Food Assessment: A Piece by Piece Approachesheehancastro
This document summarizes the work of the Worcester Food & Active Living Policy Council. It discusses the council's history and projects from 2006-2012. Major projects included improving school meals, increasing SNAP participation, establishing farmers markets, and increasing school gardens. The council takes a piece-by-piece approach to community food assessments, using community assessments, project evaluations, and research from local universities. Findings include needs for policies around healthy food options, community gardens, grocery access, and locally grown food. Outcomes of the council's work include programs like farmers market permits and restaurant certification. Upcoming work focuses on sharing data, expanding urban agriculture, and increasing healthy options at local retailers.
Inside the Collaboration between Planners & Economic Developer's - Municipal ...Carolyn Puterbough
Inside the Collaboration between Planners & Economic Developer’s
Erik Acs, Project Manager, Planning Programs and Engagement, Niagara Region
Brian Morris, Business Development Consultant with the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Office.
Take an inside peak at the collaboration between a network of economic developers and planners all with one goal in mind – to implement the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Action Plan: 2021.
This document provides guidance on developing farm to school programs in Native communities. It discusses how farm to school connects students to local foods, traditional foods, and family farmers while promoting health, education, and food sovereignty. The document recommends taking a community-based approach, starting small by incorporating local and traditional foods into school meals and events, and sustaining efforts by seeking funding and documenting impacts. The overall goal is to empower children and families through culturally relevant farm to school activities.
The document discusses community gardens in Kansas City. It provides examples of different types of gardens in the area, including school, neighborhood, social service agency, and urban farms. It discusses the importance of community gardens for increasing access to healthy foods and encouraging active lifestyles. Obstacles to urban gardens include issues with water supply, security, and optimal locations. The document suggests ways local governments can support community gardens, such as including them in land use plans, allowing zoning for them, providing vacant lot inventories, and participating in food policy coalitions.
Similar to Bringing the Food Charter to Life in Thunder Bay (20)
Transforming the food environment_ Nutrition Resource CentreBringFoodHome
Built environment elements supportive of healthy eating in rural, remote and northern communities by Kim Bergeron, Health Promotion Consultant-Nutrition Resource Centre
Students stepping up to the plate_BFH 2015BringFoodHome
This document summarizes a presentation given by Katie German of FoodShare Toronto about a program called School Grown. The presentation included an introduction, agenda, icebreaker, and overview of how School Grown works. It is a paid work and school credit program where youth are hired as farmers. They learn farming skills and sell produce at a farmers market, to restaurants, and neighbors. The presentation discussed what has been learned, including how youth wrote their own curriculum instead of having it imposed by adults. This empowered students and showed they are already experts in some areas. The presentation concluded with breakout activities and a call for questions.
In 4 Toronto elementary schools, a school garden educator runs garden programs and outdoor lessons linked to the curriculum. At each school, she works with teachers, students, and the local community to design, plant, and maintain the garden. Lessons cover topics like biodiversity, composting, plant cycles, and math/science skills, with a focus on hands-on learning and cooking activities to connect students to where their food comes from. The educator aims to inspire curiosity and learning through engaging lessons in the school gardens.
From System to Strategy in Institutional Procurement_Kathy Berger, Phil Mount...BringFoodHome
'From System to strategy in Institutional Procurement: Reflecting on past success and designing for future' presented by Kathy Berger, Phil Mount and Hayley Lapalme during 'Local Food Economies' session at Bring Food Home 2015
Eat think Vote story_Amanda Sheedy and Francois ZellerBringFoodHome
Presentation highlighting advocacy activities and campaigns of Food Secure Canada, presented by Amanda Sheedy and Francois Zeller, Food Secure Canada, during 'Advocating for Success' session at Bring Food Home 2015
Advocating for Success_Federal Healthy Candidates Campaign_ Amanda Sheedy and...BringFoodHome
Presentation highlighting advocacy activities and campaigns of Heart & Stroke Foundation presebted by Amanda Sheedy and Francois Zeller, Food Secure Canada, during 'Advocating for Success' session at Bring Food Home 2015
"Animals on the landscape - sustainable meat on the plate" presented by Abra Brynne during "Role of Livestock in the Agricultural Ecosystem" session at Bring Food Home 2015.
Canadian Food and Wine Institute Research Centre at Niagara CollegeBringFoodHome
The Canadian Food and Wine Institute Research Centre at Niagara College works with small and medium food and beverage enterprises to provide services including product development, regulatory compliance, food safety management, and access to testing facilities. Through a collaborative process, they help entrepreneurs launch new products and gain technical skills to create jobs in the sector. Students also benefit by interacting directly with industry and gaining work experience, while the program aims to empower entrepreneurs and fuel economic growth.
The document discusses three community garden programs - Hillcrest Community Garden, The Global Roots Garden, and Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) - and how they differ in their impact on food security and level of facilitation. Hillcrest has little impact on food security and is heavily facilitated, while YIMBY has the most meaningful impact through providing land and resources with less facilitation required from gardeners. The document also covers considerations around ensuring access to community gardens, including physical access, access to food produced, and access to gardening itself.
Toronto Food Strategy: Food Access MappingBringFoodHome
The Toronto Food Strategy aims to foster a healthy and sustainable food system. It takes a multi-pronged approach, including building networks, leveraging resources, and using both top-down and bottom-up strategies. Food environment mapping is being used to better understand relationships between income, food access, and other factors. Initial findings show lower income areas tend to have less healthy food retail environments and schools are more likely to have fast food nearby. The research is informing policies like the new Residential Apartment Commercial zone to support healthier food options in apartment communities.
The Toronto Food Strategy aims to foster a healthy and sustainable food system in the city. It takes a multi-pronged approach, including building networks among stakeholders, leveraging resources, and using both top-down and bottom-up strategies for change. One focus is improving food access in low-income neighborhoods through initiatives like mobile good food markets, working with corner stores to offer healthier options, and skills training programs. The strategy also explores policies around access to land and infrastructure to better support local food production and distribution.
Cultivating Vibrant & Resilient Communities, One Garden at a TimeBringFoodHome
The document summarizes the history and operations of the Peterborough Community Garden Network (PCGN) and the City of Peterborough Community Garden Policy. The PCGN was established through a collaboration between four partner organizations to establish and support community gardens. The City of Peterborough worked with the PCGN to create a Community Garden Policy in 2010 to define roles and support for community gardens on municipal land, including providing land, materials, and grants. The policy has helped establish new gardens but challenges remain around long-term water access and stable funding sources.
This document provides an overview of Everdale, an organic farm and educational organization located in Ontario, Canada. Everdale operates two farms totaling 63 acres and provides hands-on farming education programs to build healthy local communities. Key aspects of Everdale's operations include:
- Operating organic vegetable, greenhouse and livestock production on the farms
- Engaging 7500 local students through an 8-acre community farm and farm education programs
- Employing 8 full-time staff and 6 paid farmers to operate the farms and programs
- Hosting internships, farm camps and school programs that teach students about farming and food.
HCL Notes und Domino Lizenzkostenreduzierung in der Welt von DLAUpanagenda
Webinar Recording: https://www.panagenda.com/webinars/hcl-notes-und-domino-lizenzkostenreduzierung-in-der-welt-von-dlau/
DLAU und die Lizenzen nach dem CCB- und CCX-Modell sind für viele in der HCL-Community seit letztem Jahr ein heißes Thema. Als Notes- oder Domino-Kunde haben Sie vielleicht mit unerwartet hohen Benutzerzahlen und Lizenzgebühren zu kämpfen. Sie fragen sich vielleicht, wie diese neue Art der Lizenzierung funktioniert und welchen Nutzen sie Ihnen bringt. Vor allem wollen Sie sicherlich Ihr Budget einhalten und Kosten sparen, wo immer möglich. Das verstehen wir und wir möchten Ihnen dabei helfen!
Wir erklären Ihnen, wie Sie häufige Konfigurationsprobleme lösen können, die dazu führen können, dass mehr Benutzer gezählt werden als nötig, und wie Sie überflüssige oder ungenutzte Konten identifizieren und entfernen können, um Geld zu sparen. Es gibt auch einige Ansätze, die zu unnötigen Ausgaben führen können, z. B. wenn ein Personendokument anstelle eines Mail-Ins für geteilte Mailboxen verwendet wird. Wir zeigen Ihnen solche Fälle und deren Lösungen. Und natürlich erklären wir Ihnen das neue Lizenzmodell.
Nehmen Sie an diesem Webinar teil, bei dem HCL-Ambassador Marc Thomas und Gastredner Franz Walder Ihnen diese neue Welt näherbringen. Es vermittelt Ihnen die Tools und das Know-how, um den Überblick zu bewahren. Sie werden in der Lage sein, Ihre Kosten durch eine optimierte Domino-Konfiguration zu reduzieren und auch in Zukunft gering zu halten.
Diese Themen werden behandelt
- Reduzierung der Lizenzkosten durch Auffinden und Beheben von Fehlkonfigurationen und überflüssigen Konten
- Wie funktionieren CCB- und CCX-Lizenzen wirklich?
- Verstehen des DLAU-Tools und wie man es am besten nutzt
- Tipps für häufige Problembereiche, wie z. B. Team-Postfächer, Funktions-/Testbenutzer usw.
- Praxisbeispiele und Best Practices zum sofortigen Umsetzen
The Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptxoperationspcvita
This presentation will help you understand the power of Microsoft 365. However, we have mentioned every productivity app included in Office 365. Additionally, we have suggested the migration situation related to Office 365 and how we can help you.
You can also read: https://www.systoolsgroup.com/updates/office-365-tenant-to-tenant-migration-step-by-step-complete-guide/
Generating privacy-protected synthetic data using Secludy and MilvusZilliz
During this demo, the founders of Secludy will demonstrate how their system utilizes Milvus to store and manipulate embeddings for generating privacy-protected synthetic data. Their approach not only maintains the confidentiality of the original data but also enhances the utility and scalability of LLMs under privacy constraints. Attendees, including machine learning engineers, data scientists, and data managers, will witness first-hand how Secludy's integration with Milvus empowers organizations to harness the power of LLMs securely and efficiently.
5th LF Energy Power Grid Model Meet-up SlidesDanBrown980551
5th Power Grid Model Meet-up
It is with great pleasure that we extend to you an invitation to the 5th Power Grid Model Meet-up, scheduled for 6th June 2024. This event will adopt a hybrid format, allowing participants to join us either through an online Mircosoft Teams session or in person at TU/e located at Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven, Netherlands. The meet-up will be hosted by Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), a research university specializing in engineering science & technology.
Power Grid Model
The global energy transition is placing new and unprecedented demands on Distribution System Operators (DSOs). Alongside upgrades to grid capacity, processes such as digitization, capacity optimization, and congestion management are becoming vital for delivering reliable services.
Power Grid Model is an open source project from Linux Foundation Energy and provides a calculation engine that is increasingly essential for DSOs. It offers a standards-based foundation enabling real-time power systems analysis, simulations of electrical power grids, and sophisticated what-if analysis. In addition, it enables in-depth studies and analysis of the electrical power grid’s behavior and performance. This comprehensive model incorporates essential factors such as power generation capacity, electrical losses, voltage levels, power flows, and system stability.
Power Grid Model is currently being applied in a wide variety of use cases, including grid planning, expansion, reliability, and congestion studies. It can also help in analyzing the impact of renewable energy integration, assessing the effects of disturbances or faults, and developing strategies for grid control and optimization.
What to expect
For the upcoming meetup we are organizing, we have an exciting lineup of activities planned:
-Insightful presentations covering two practical applications of the Power Grid Model.
-An update on the latest advancements in Power Grid -Model technology during the first and second quarters of 2024.
-An interactive brainstorming session to discuss and propose new feature requests.
-An opportunity to connect with fellow Power Grid Model enthusiasts and users.
HCL Notes and Domino License Cost Reduction in the World of DLAUpanagenda
Webinar Recording: https://www.panagenda.com/webinars/hcl-notes-and-domino-license-cost-reduction-in-the-world-of-dlau/
The introduction of DLAU and the CCB & CCX licensing model caused quite a stir in the HCL community. As a Notes and Domino customer, you may have faced challenges with unexpected user counts and license costs. You probably have questions on how this new licensing approach works and how to benefit from it. Most importantly, you likely have budget constraints and want to save money where possible. Don’t worry, we can help with all of this!
We’ll show you how to fix common misconfigurations that cause higher-than-expected user counts, and how to identify accounts which you can deactivate to save money. There are also frequent patterns that can cause unnecessary cost, like using a person document instead of a mail-in for shared mailboxes. We’ll provide examples and solutions for those as well. And naturally we’ll explain the new licensing model.
Join HCL Ambassador Marc Thomas in this webinar with a special guest appearance from Franz Walder. It will give you the tools and know-how to stay on top of what is going on with Domino licensing. You will be able lower your cost through an optimized configuration and keep it low going forward.
These topics will be covered
- Reducing license cost by finding and fixing misconfigurations and superfluous accounts
- How do CCB and CCX licenses really work?
- Understanding the DLAU tool and how to best utilize it
- Tips for common problem areas, like team mailboxes, functional/test users, etc
- Practical examples and best practices to implement right away
Digital Banking in the Cloud: How Citizens Bank Unlocked Their MainframePrecisely
Inconsistent user experience and siloed data, high costs, and changing customer expectations – Citizens Bank was experiencing these challenges while it was attempting to deliver a superior digital banking experience for its clients. Its core banking applications run on the mainframe and Citizens was using legacy utilities to get the critical mainframe data to feed customer-facing channels, like call centers, web, and mobile. Ultimately, this led to higher operating costs (MIPS), delayed response times, and longer time to market.
Ever-changing customer expectations demand more modern digital experiences, and the bank needed to find a solution that could provide real-time data to its customer channels with low latency and operating costs. Join this session to learn how Citizens is leveraging Precisely to replicate mainframe data to its customer channels and deliver on their “modern digital bank” experiences.
Programming Foundation Models with DSPy - Meetup SlidesZilliz
Prompting language models is hard, while programming language models is easy. In this talk, I will discuss the state-of-the-art framework DSPy for programming foundation models with its powerful optimizers and runtime constraint system.
For the full video of this presentation, please visit: https://www.edge-ai-vision.com/2024/06/temporal-event-neural-networks-a-more-efficient-alternative-to-the-transformer-a-presentation-from-brainchip/
Chris Jones, Director of Product Management at BrainChip , presents the “Temporal Event Neural Networks: A More Efficient Alternative to the Transformer” tutorial at the May 2024 Embedded Vision Summit.
The expansion of AI services necessitates enhanced computational capabilities on edge devices. Temporal Event Neural Networks (TENNs), developed by BrainChip, represent a novel and highly efficient state-space network. TENNs demonstrate exceptional proficiency in handling multi-dimensional streaming data, facilitating advancements in object detection, action recognition, speech enhancement and language model/sequence generation. Through the utilization of polynomial-based continuous convolutions, TENNs streamline models, expedite training processes and significantly diminish memory requirements, achieving notable reductions of up to 50x in parameters and 5,000x in energy consumption compared to prevailing methodologies like transformers.
Integration with BrainChip’s Akida neuromorphic hardware IP further enhances TENNs’ capabilities, enabling the realization of highly capable, portable and passively cooled edge devices. This presentation delves into the technical innovations underlying TENNs, presents real-world benchmarks, and elucidates how this cutting-edge approach is positioned to revolutionize edge AI across diverse applications.
Have you ever been confused by the myriad of choices offered by AWS for hosting a website or an API?
Lambda, Elastic Beanstalk, Lightsail, Amplify, S3 (and more!) can each host websites + APIs. But which one should we choose?
Which one is cheapest? Which one is fastest? Which one will scale to meet our needs?
Join me in this session as we dive into each AWS hosting service to determine which one is best for your scenario and explain why!
Conversational agents, or chatbots, are increasingly used to access all sorts of services using natural language. While open-domain chatbots - like ChatGPT - can converse on any topic, task-oriented chatbots - the focus of this paper - are designed for specific tasks, like booking a flight, obtaining customer support, or setting an appointment. Like any other software, task-oriented chatbots need to be properly tested, usually by defining and executing test scenarios (i.e., sequences of user-chatbot interactions). However, there is currently a lack of methods to quantify the completeness and strength of such test scenarios, which can lead to low-quality tests, and hence to buggy chatbots.
To fill this gap, we propose adapting mutation testing (MuT) for task-oriented chatbots. To this end, we introduce a set of mutation operators that emulate faults in chatbot designs, an architecture that enables MuT on chatbots built using heterogeneous technologies, and a practical realisation as an Eclipse plugin. Moreover, we evaluate the applicability, effectiveness and efficiency of our approach on open-source chatbots, with promising results.
Connector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectorsDianaGray10
Join us to learn how UiPath Apps can directly and easily interact with prebuilt connectors via Integration Service--including Salesforce, ServiceNow, Open GenAI, and more.
The best part is you can achieve this without building a custom workflow! Say goodbye to the hassle of using separate automations to call APIs. By seamlessly integrating within App Studio, you can now easily streamline your workflow, while gaining direct access to our Connector Catalog of popular applications.
We’ll discuss and demo the benefits of UiPath Apps and connectors including:
Creating a compelling user experience for any software, without the limitations of APIs.
Accelerating the app creation process, saving time and effort
Enjoying high-performance CRUD (create, read, update, delete) operations, for
seamless data management.
Speakers:
Russell Alfeche, Technology Leader, RPA at qBotic and UiPath MVP
Charlie Greenberg, host
Your One-Stop Shop for Python Success: Top 10 US Python Development Providersakankshawande
Simplify your search for a reliable Python development partner! This list presents the top 10 trusted US providers offering comprehensive Python development services, ensuring your project's success from conception to completion.
"Choosing proper type of scaling", Olena SyrotaFwdays
Imagine an IoT processing system that is already quite mature and production-ready and for which client coverage is growing and scaling and performance aspects are life and death questions. The system has Redis, MongoDB, and stream processing based on ksqldb. In this talk, firstly, we will analyze scaling approaches and then select the proper ones for our system.
1. Bringing the
Food Charter to
Life
in Thunder Bay
Catherine Schwartz Mendez, Public Health Nutritionist
Bring Food Home Conference 2013
2. Our Local Food System
• Geographically isolated
• Canadian shield
• Northern climate
• Many First Nations communities,
growing urban Aboriginal
population
• Very active agricultural
communities, increasing number
of part-time farmers
3. Local Food Issues
Our complex, linear, dependent,
industrialized food system:
• Food travels great
distances to get to us
• Higher food prices
• Higher cost of a
Nutritious Food Basket
• Higher food insecurity
4. Strategic Advantages of Thunder Bay
and Area Food Strategy
•
Historic role of Thunder
Bay as transportation and
service hub the logical
place to centre a regional
food strategy
•
Thunder Bay’s strategic
location at the head of
Lake Superior protects
and opens unique
opportunities to link food
and employment, food
and nutrition, and food
and community
improvement
5. Putting Policy into Action
Who’s doing what?
• Northwestern Ontario
food agriculture
- with unique benefits and challenges!
• Food research and education
• Food security initiatives
- Food Action Network partnerships
- Community Gardens & Kitchens
- Good Food Box, School Nutrition
Programs, Gleaning
- Get Fresh Guide and workshops
- RFDA, R2H, True North Co-op
- Farmers’ Markets
6. Food Policy in Action
City of Thunder Bay
Food Charter
• Build community
economic development
• Ensure social justice
• Foster population health
• Celebrate culture and
collaboration
• Preserve environmental
integrity
8. City of Thunder Bay
2011-2014 Strategic Plan Implementation
• Strategic Plan supports
development of
comprehensive local food
strategy
• To be undertaken by
Steering Committee
representing food system
sectors and area
community
Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy Steering Committee
9. Building food into the
City of Thunder Bay Official Plan
Photo courtesy of Vidioman:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thunder_Bay_City_Hall_2010.jpg
10. Ask not what a city can do for food, but what
food can do for a city – Wayne Roberts
13. City of
Thunder Bay
Food Action Network
Surrounding
Thunder Bay
Municipalities
Regional Food Strategy
District Health
Unit
Thunder Bay
Federation of
Agriculture
14. The 7 Pillars for Policy & Action
•
Access to Healthy Food
•
Forest and Freshwater Food
•
Farm-scale Food Production
•
Food Infrastructure
•
Urban Agriculture
•
Local Food Procurement
•
Healthy School Food Environments
15. Healthy Eating Makes the Grade
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Canadian Red Cross
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
City of Thunder Bay – city planners and
city councillor
Roots to Harvest
3 School Boards
Students
Parents
Teachers
Resource Librarians
School Administrators
School Board Trustees and
Superintendents
Cafeteria Staff
Daycare Staff
Board Purchasers
Communications Officers
Food Producers and Retailers
Lakehead University
Wider School Community
16. The Goal of HEMG
To improve student
health by
increasing access to
healthier food options
in and around schools
in Thunder Bay.
17. August 2010 – July 2013
• Heart and Stroke
Foundation
Spark Grants
$5000 + $50,000(2 yrs)
• Coordinator,
workshops, catering,
tour, supplies,
teacher release time
18. Working Groups
Healthy Food Zones
around schools
Healthier School Food Choices
Youth Food Ambassador Program
High School Cafeterias
Support for School Food Gardens
Build Coalition Capacity
21. Institutional Buying
Challenges
•Limited supply
•Lack of Infrastructure
•Business planning
Opportunities
•Some interested farmers
•Plenty of good land
•Institutions are interested and equipped
•Good relationships
The city of Thunder Bay is one of the main hubs and the largest city in Northwestern Ontario which covers a huge expanse. We have two health unit districts in Northwestern Ontario, the Thunder Bay District health Unit and the Northwestern Health Unit. TBDHU covers the eastern half and Northwestern the other part, west of Thunder Bay to the Manitoba border. We also have over 20 remote First Nations communities technically under Federal jurisdiction, but that fluid population moves back and forth between home reserves and Thunder Bay, so we have an increasing and comparably young urban aboriginal population.
Our summers are short with only about 90 frost-free days, however the longer days through the growing season do make up for some of it.
We also have a small but very active agricultural community, 840 farms (dairy, beef, other animals, vegetables, greenhouses) the majority of farmers , as elsewhere, require off-farm second jobs to make ends meet.
NAN Food Strategy
Strengths – amount of farm land, geographically isolated is a positive and negative, health unit support, growing support from city departments, grassroots groups like R2H employing youth increasing access to locally grown food,
Benefits to northern farming:
Land values
Land quality and potential for expansion
Great place to raise a family
Short flight to Southern Ontario
Northern Climate
Climate change and research and development will make more crops possible
Very active agricultural communities
Many success stories to celebrate in the North!
Number of Part-time
farmers is rising significantly
Challengesto northern farming
Climate
Labour
Market access
Lack of infrastructure
Wildlife
Difficult to access
education and learning opportunities
Currently, most of our food is trucked an average of 3500 km from elsewhere.
Most of our food comes to a centralized food terminal (either Winnipeg or Toronto for Thunder Bay bound goods) and redistributed.
And the trucks hauling the foodstuffs burn up fossil fuels, never to be recovered, so the environmental damage due to food travel distances becomes significant.
We currently have an estimated 3-day supply to feed our city. With only three routes coming into Thunder Bay, the two directions along the Trans-Canada highway and from the US. If the trucks stopped tomorrow, how would we feed ourselves?
Of course since food has to travel further we also have higher food prices, our NFB survey shows it’s an average of $60 a month higher than the provincial average for a family of four.
Our foodbanks have seen a huge increase in use over the last 5 years with the downturn in the economy which actually started a few years before the rest of the province, because of the decline in the forestry sector.
The Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station, on the south boundary of the City, conducts research on a range of forage crops and specialty crops to promote diversification of the agricultural industry in Northwestern Ontario.
And the Food Security Research Network, administered through Lakehead University, demonstrates a new way of addressing food security, coupling university resources – faculty, students and staff – with dedicated Northwestern Ontario partners to further students’ and the community’s knowledge of food security issues.
The Food Action Network has been bringing partners together since 1995 to address hunger and increasingly, local food system issues. We have a number of collaborative food security projects and a very successful Get Fresh eat local campaign that includes a guide to local producers and restaurant/caterers sourcing local food as well as a practical workshop series during the summer on what food is available and how to store and cook with it.
These are all initiatives that are addressing different aspects of the food system. These different projects are a point of entry into a more sustainable food system that works better for communities ie economic, social, environmental.
What led us to the strategy:
Food charter
Strategic plan
Official Plan
EarthCare
Food action programs – increase access, build constituency
Community Garden Policy
Community food forums
Identifying the pillars
Food Charter - A set of principles that guide decisions for food security, to ensure access to enough nutritious food for everyone to be healthy
Developed by the Food Action Network (FAN) with community support via the EarthWise Community Environmental Action Plan (2008)
Adopted by Thunder Bay City Council and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board
It is supported by policies in the City’s Official Plan and Community Environmental Action Plan. Its value is in the framework it offers for dialogue on the interface between land use planning and strategizing for food security. The Charter is founded on the idea that everyone should have access to enough nutritious food to have energy for daily life. It provides focus to the issues of food security and was the jumping off point for showing a public commitment to addressing the issues through municipal actions.
The Charter was developed by the Food Action Network (FAN) and adopted by Thunder Bay City Council and the Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board in 2008. These six principles make up the Food Charter that guide the City’s decisions about food security.
Goal: a robust local food system that creates jobs, improves health, encourages community involvement and education, build local responsibility, support equitable food distribution, increase tourism, reduce GHG emissions, and entrench community-based food policies.
Calls for a strategy
Gives it more leverage, foot in the door
The City’s Official Plan (2005) is very clear about the importance of protecting agricultural lands and rural areas from sprawling residential development in order to promote agriculture, and with the urban area limit, to accommodate smaller-scale agriculture, which is defined as personal farming.
Viable farm operations are protected through policies related to distancing non-agricultural uses, mainly residential uses, from livestock operations. Rural-related industries, such as farm supply sales and animal product processing, are permitted in rural designated areas of the City.
Rural land use designations comprise 44%, or almost half, of the total corporate land area of this city so potentially more hectares within the City limits could be devoted to growing food.
What it is lacking is more focus on supporting urban agriculture – plants and animals and food programs, zoning around schools, and other recreational facilities where children and youth frequent, and recognizing and protecting urban forests as food sources.
Food is a vehicle for change – food strategy project is a way of reaching many of the city’s goals for economic development, beautification, crime prevention, sustainability from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reduced waste etc.
Wayne’s key messages from Feb 25/26
• Graphic recording unified and communicated each session giving us a graphic representation of our work to carry forward
Great local food meals demonstrated it is possible, even at the end of March!
March 29 afternoon - Preparing the Ground – Celebrating what has brought us to this point.
Covered CFS/Local Sustainable Food System from A-Z
And a Lifeline Exercise to capture significant events and milestones
Discussed SOAR – Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results
Evening
What is a Food System, What is a Food Strategy and How Are They Connected?
Panel of Food Stakeholders and then worked on defining key projects and quick wins
March 30 Session 3 morning
Northern Grown Film
Group Activity: World Café and Next Steps
People actually wanted to keep working through what was meant to be a celebratory lunch!
Food as a Human Right – Access to good food for all
Urban Agriculture – continue to support and expand community gardens, support backyard chickens, consider edible landscaping and protect urban forests.
Support a universal school food program to ensure access to all to meal and snack programs, and embed food literacy in the curriculum, support school gardens and create healthy food zones around schools.
Define and support community food centres/hubs that provide space for neighbourhood residents to come together around food.
Establish local food infrastructure through regional food clusters for storage, processing and distribution.
Expand public procurement of local, sustainably-produced food to improve foods served and sold in public venues and encourage institutional buying of healthy local food.
Report, photos and presentations will be posted on northernfoodconnections.ca, once available
Board garden policies and procedures
Healthy Food Zones – used GIS mapping - realized we needed more information about what’s available around schools, what students buy, how far they go and why they leave
- The proportion of students who leave school to purchase food is correlated with the number of eating establishments within 600 m of a school, although students still leave even if they don’t have any within that distance.
- The solutions for the zoning issue is longer term – we could use by-laws to increase distance from schools – but that would only affect new schools being built – we can’t do anything about existing, zoning wise, we could work with existing establishments, but that will take time – still considering
Decided in the short-term to work on cafeterias – improve environment and food that’s offered - led to “caf survey” and “farm to caf”
Farm to Caf is a pilot project in four high schools attempting to integrate local foods into the cafeteria menus. The high schools are in the public board in which cafeterias are independently run compared to catholic board that has thrid party food service run by Aramark.
Four local food feature meals were served at each school from September to November for $5 each, and students and staff were surveyed to find out their thoughts about the meal.
Food items included a combination of burgers, pulled pork, coleslaw, corn on the cob, squash soup, and roasted and mashed potatoes.
The aim of this project was to approach the inclusion of local food in cafeteria menus within a business model context, keeping the bottom line in site while at the same time, raising the bar for what the cafeterias offer their students.
Over 1300 Thunder Bay students in grades 7-12 surveyed to discover how they use and interact with the food environments around their schools.
Red Cross and Roots to Harvest – working in schools to offer salad bars, farm to caf and with classes
– farmers get higher return on direct sales and restaurant/caterers
we need more farmers, we have the land – looking into promoting our area to new farmers, training/mentorship programs and other incentives
Lack storage, distribution, processing infrastructure – centralized in Manitoba and S. Ont.