Bits and Bytes | News from the Food Movement - April 2017

Spring is in the air! Anyone interested in federal policy on food is very busy these days with many different government consultations underway. Food Secure Canada has been working hard to fine-tune our plan for a national food policy conversation that will help us build a sustainable and healthy future. We are pleased to release a new report on public procurement lessons as well as to be partners in the launch of Nourish. Thanks to all of our members who have given their advice and support or commented on our draft policy paper — soon to be available to the general public!

Purchasing Power: 10 Lessons on Getting More Local, Sustainable, and Delicious Food in Schools, Hospitals and Campuses

Food Secure Canada and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation are jointly releasing the report Purchasing Power: 10 Lessons on Getting More Local, Sustainable, and Delicious Food in Schools, Hospitals and Campuses. [Read More]

[FSC members] We are seeking your comments for our next Food Policy Discussion Paper

Food Secure Canada has drafted a Discussion Paper on National Food Policy. The paper, entitled From Patchwork to Policy Coherence: Opportunities for National Food Policy Innovation is intended to help frame the debate by identifying key priorities and principles for a national food policy. [Read More]

Spotlight on Food: Innovation as Usual

National food policy has great potential to combine economic vitality and innovation with positive outcomes for health, food security and sustainability.  That will require a deliberative effort, with a variety of food system actors around the table, including not only industry and government but the non-profit sector as well. [Read More]

Nearly 300,000 Canadians Take a Great Big Crunch for Healthy Food for Kids

2017 marked the 10th anniversary of FoodShare Toronto’s loud campaign that has engaged over one million crunchers to say loud and clear that access to healthy food for kids must be a top priority. [Read More]

Learning from Practice: Advocacy for health equity from a food security perspective

This paper highlights the experience of the Ontario Association of Public Health Nutrition Professionals and Food Secure Canada in advocating to improve food security focusing on three advocacy roles in public health. [Read More]

Yellowknife Farmers Market: One of the Great Food Organisations We Love to Support

Our amazing members work daily to strengthen the food movement and create more just, healthy and sustainable food systems. Today we are thrilled to interview France Benoit, Chairperson (Vendor) of the Yellowknife Farmers Market, a non-profit society formed in 2013 to promote and grow the local food system in Yellowknife. [Read More]

Other News:

Welcome Jessica!

Jessica has joined the FSC  team as Administration and Membership Coordinator. She has worked with many non-profit organisations in administration and finance, and also has a certificate in French to English translation.  Originally hailing from Detroit, Jessica has long been interested in sustainable urban agriculture and promoting food security. [See our staff]

[Job] Communication Assistant

Food Secure Canada is looking for a communication and administrative assistant for a period of 7 months in Montreal starting in mid April. It is mandatory that the selected candidate meet the requirements of Emploi-Quebec. You must contact your Local Employment Center to confirm your eligibility. [Read more]

Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food Recommend Support for New Farmers and Environmental Farm Practices

We are encouraged to see several recommendations within the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food's Report on the Next Agricultural Policy Framework that highlight the importance of encouraging environmental farming practices and supporting new farmers. [Read more]

CBAN: Take Action on GMOs

Bill C-291 to establish mandatory labelling in Canada is now being debated in the House of Commons. The second hour of debate is scheduled for May 5 with a vote a few days later. CBAN is encouraging people to write to their Members of Parliament to vote YES. Take action here! [Read more]

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Save the Date:

Progress Summit 2017

Hosted by the Broadbent Institute

April 5-7, 2017 - 10 to 11:30 AM PST

Delta, Ottawa City Centre, 101 Lyon Street North

Do you plan to attend the Progress Summit on Thursday, April 6? Come share your ideas and delicious local foods with Food Secure Canada. Following successful events in 2015 and 2016 focused on food politics and national food policy, Food Secure Canada is once again hosting a dynamic lunchtime conversation: Why Does National Food Policy Matter to You? [More info]

Fair Food Nation: Envisioning a future where food is a basic rights

Hosted by Community Food Centres Canada

April 7, 2017 - 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT

Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St W, Toronto

Over the course of an evening, a panel of outspoken advocates from the indigenous and food justice communities will paint an inspiring picture for a fair food nation and articulate a path to get us there. Featured Panelists: Tabitha Martens, Andy Fisher, Debbie Field; Moderator: Nick Saul.  [More info]

[Webinar] Northern Food Network

Hosted by the Northern Food Network 

April 25, 2017 - 10 to 11:30 AM PST

We will be highlighting innovative food system projects in northern and remote communities and feature inspiring speakers from across Canada’s North. Please join us for our second webinar, featuring presentations by Food First Newfoundland and Labrador and Food Matters Manitoba. [More info]

[Webinar] "Taking action on the root cause:  inadequate income and food insecurity”

Hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health

April 18, 2017 1 to 2:30 pm EDT

This webinar will focus on inadequate income as the root cause of food insecurity, and actions public health professionals can take to shift practice beyond food-focused initiatives and towards income-based policy solutions. [More info]

VIEW COMPLETE EVENTS CALENDAR

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