Bits and Bytes | News from the Food Movement - June 2016

This issue of Bits & Bytes is all about money! What is going on in food funding? What do the mega mergers amongst the largest food input companies in the world mean for Canadians? Why is the business community concerned about Moms, Millennials and Foodies and their trust in the food system? Plus, nominations are now open for the Cathleen Kneen Award, and more news about our 9th Assembly where all of these issues will be discussed. Enjoy!
	Resetting The Table: Program update & new streams Join 700 food activists, chefs, researchers, community workers, Indigenous leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs and interested foodies from across the country for Canada's biggest and most diverse food gathering, Resetting the Table, Food Secure Canada’s 9th Assembly October 13-16th in Toronto. Registration is open and new program details will be announced soon. [Read More]
	Following the money - Canadian food funders and their current priorities Who funds the Canadian food movement, what does their research on the current national food landscape reveal, and what do these funding organizations identify as future granting priorities? This recent report by the emerging Canadian food funders group answers these questions, providing a very useful guide for FSC members and others seeking philanthropic support. [Read More]
	Bigger isn't always better: what the proposed agribusiness mega mergers could mean for canada The agricultural input industry is already highly concentrated with the “Big Six” (Syngenta, Dow, DuPont, Monsanto, Bayer, and BASF) controlling 75% of agricultural input sales globally. But the players are going to be even fewer if these corporate giants are allowed to pursue a series of mergers and acquisitions that will transform the sector. [Read More]
	public trust, private gain and political will As the federal government prepares to engage citizens on it announced national food policy, the issue of who to trust regarding our food system has taken centre stage. [Read More]
	Canada needs healthy and sustainable dietary guidelines The FAO and Food Climate Research Network at the University of Oxford recently published Plates, pyramids and planets: Developments in national healthy and sustainable dietary guidelines: a state of play assessment. [Read More]
	seeking nominations for the 2016 cathleen kneen food movement builder award Food Secure Canada gives out this award biannually to recognize vision, leadership and a commitment to grassroots activism in building a more just and ecological food system. Cathleen Kneen taught that understanding a food system means listening to those most oppressed by it, because they see from underneath how it is constructed and can offer a progressive vision for its transformation. [Read More]
Other News: Join FSC's Board of Directors Have you thought about running for the Board of Directors for Food Secure Canada? We are looking for active, committed, experienced individuals who want to contribute to the leadership of the dynamic and growing food movement. Nominations open from July 4th to July 31st. [Read more] [CBC] High food prices driving some shoppers away from fruits, vegetables study says Some Canadians are snubbing expensive fruits and vegetables, instead turning to frozen produce and juice as less-pricey alternatives, a new survey by researchers from two universities has found. [Read more] FSC goes West and North FSC Executive Director Diana Bronson had an opportunity to go to Whitehorse to participate in the Summer Institute of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and the Yukon Food Security Roundtable organized by the Arctic Institute for Community Based Research. Diana Bronson then travelled to Vancouver to be part of the first annual Vancouver Food Summit at the Gordon Neighbourhood House. [Read more] [Guardian] A switch to ecological farming will benefit health and environment – report The world needs to move away from industrial agriculture to avoid ecological, social and human health crises, say scientists. [Read more] [NFU] Email your input on Trans Pacific Partnership before June 30 deadline! Please share this call to action with others so they can help protect family farms and farmers’ livelihoods in Canada. [Read more]
		Save the Date: Open Farm 2016 June 26, 1-4 pm, 2016 Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario Fresh City's 5th annual season: please join us at our farm in Downsview Park. Entry for this event is FREE, please RSVP to let us know you're coming! Food and drink will be available for purchase (please bring cash). Bring a blanket, a yoga mat, your friends/fam, and enjoy a beautiful summer's day on our farm in the city. [More info] Food Tank Webinar Series: Organic Agriculture’s Ability to Reduce Rural Poverty June 29, 12 pm, 2016 Online webinar Food Tank Webinar Series: Organic agriculture has been proven to benefit our environment and our health. Recent research now shows that organic agriculture – and the business activities accompanying it – can also benefit local economies and help secure the financial future of many. [More info] Annual gathering - BC food systems network July 15 - 17, 2016 En'owkin Network near Penticton, BC This year the theme of the Gathering is Reconciling Cultures and Re-connecting Foodscapes. The Gathering will be an opportunity for various cultures to come together with the Syilx and other Indigenous people to explore together what it means to truly reconcile with the first peoples of the land and water. [More info] VIEW COMPLETE EVENTS CALENDAR