Bits and Bytes | News from the Food Movement - November 2015

Food Secure Canada has been advocating a national food policy along the lines of Resetting the Table for four years and so we are very excited that this is now officially on the agenda of the Government of Canada. There is a renewed sense of possibility for food system reform and the new federal government appears to be eager to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders including civil society groups. Most significantly, Prime Minister Trudeau has instructed Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay to “develop a national food policy that promotes healthy living and safe food by putting more healthy, high quality food, produced by Canadian ranchers and farmers, on the tables of families”. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work! More details below. 

NEXT STEPS FOR FOOD POLICY​

On the heels of the Eat Think Vote campaign food movement leaders from across Canada gathered in Montreal on November 15th for a conversation about next steps for food policy in Canada. Just two days after the Minister of Agriculture received instructions to develop a national food policy, and immediately following the Changing the Menu conference on school food, the excitement in the room was palpable. [Read More]

Food policy on new federal government agenda​

Food Secure Canada is delighted that Prime Minister Trudeau has made the mandate letters of Ministers public and we have quickly reviewed those that are related to food. [Read More]

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The Final Eat Think Vote are in: we've accomplished great things together

We are so unbelievably grateful for everyone who helped make the Eat Think Vote campaign a huge success. Looking back on the highlights of our campaign to make food a federal election issue. [Read More]

healthy school food gains momentum 

Over thirty members of the Coalition for Healthy School packed into Food Secure Canada's Montreal office last week to plan next steps in advancing a Universal Healthy School Food Program in Canada. [Read More]

GOOD FOOD ON THE MENU: UPDATE ON THE INSTITUTIONAL FOOD PROGRAM

Food Secure Canada facilitates a Learning Group of the Institutional Food Fund grantees of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. The group includes local and sustainable procurement initiatives across Canada in healthcare, on campus and in schools. The collective shares successes, challenges, lessons learned, and offers one another support.  [Read More]

A NATIONAL FOOD POLICY COUNCIL FOR CANADA

Food policy analyst Dr. Rod MacRae argues in his latest article for FSC that Canada could put the national food policy puzzle together by creating a national food policy council similar to the dozens of municipal food policy councils successfully operating in Canada today. [Read more]

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Other News:

FSC Youth Caucus seeks a
Co-Chair

The Food Secure Canada Youth Caucus is seeking a Co-Chair for the pan-Canadian group of youth dedicated to the issues of zero hunger, sustainable food systems, and healthy and safe food. The Co-Chair will play an important role in actualizing Food Secure Canada's work. [Read more ] 

Hunger Count 2015 

Food Banks Canada's Hunger Count 2015 report presents results from an annual study of more than 4,000 food banks and other food programs in every province and territory. [Read more ] 

[In the News] A Hill Times Policy Briefing: Food Production

A November Hill Times Policy Briefing: Food Production featured two articles showcasing Food Secure Canada's activities: "Advocates look to new government for National Food Policy" and "Strong #EatThinkVote campaign points to need for a Canadian Food Policy Council". [Read more ]

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Save the Date:

Food Secure Canada 9th National Assembly in Toronto 2016 

When: October 13-16, 2016 
Where: Toronto, Ontario

Our National Assembly in 2016 will mark 15 years since the idea of Food Secure Canada emerged at a conference held at Ryerson University. Its time to celebrate! Stay tuned for details in the coming months. [More info]

"Soil: Our Common Ground", 2015 NFU Convention

When: November 26-28, 2016
Where: London, Ontario

“Soil: Our Common Ground” is the theme of this year’s National Farmers Union annual National Convention in London, Ontario, November 26 – 28, 2015. Registration is at the door. [More info]

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