3. Access to Food in Urban Communities

Executive Summary
 
The purpose of this discussion paper is to highlight the barriers to food sovereignty for urban residents and provide policy solutions to those barriers. We focus on three action areas: 1) economic barriers to healthy food and reliance on charitable providers for low-income populations; 2) limitations to urban food production; 3) the inability for many population groups to connect with local food sources and information.

Recommendations:

1. Improve programs (minimum wage, EI, pensions, income support) so that all Canadians can afford adequate nutritional food. Alternatively institute a system of vouchers for wholesome food to give every Canadian. Ensure that there are no “food deserts” in cities and suburbs, forcing people to travel extraordinary distances to find food.
2. Institute programs to legitimize agricultural use of urban land. Fund school food  programs.
3. Institute “buy local” food procurement policies within municipalities, regions, provinces, territories, and federal institutions. Institute a purchasing policy for all federal-level institutions and contracts that gives preference to local food whenever available. Provide funding for food coordinators in all urban communities.

Download Discussion Paper # 3: Acces to Food in Urban Communities (482.08 KB)