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

As our 9th Assembly approaches, this is a great time to catch up on some of the most important topics we will be discussing and to learn about exciting upcoming events. In this issue of Bits and Bytes you will find FSC’s latest report, Paying for Nutrition, exploring the pressing food security crisis facing many Northern Communities. We also highlight the great work being done by our members across the country, and take a look at some of the insightful discussions on food sovereignty that took place at the World Social Forum 2016. See you in Toronto next month!

Resetting the Table: join the Canadian Food Movement convening in Toronto

Our Assembly Organizing Team has been hard at work finalizing our program and the schedule should be up in the next week. In the meantime you can get a taste of the plenary sessions to be held over the four days, starting with a special event curated by Food Secure Canada’s Indigenous Advisory Circle that is open to the public. [Read More]

Paying for Nutrition: A Report on Food Costing in the North

Food Secure Canada’s latest report explores the crisis in food security facing First Nations Communities in Northern Ontario, where alarmingly high food prices are hindering access to nutritious food. Many of the issues outlined in the report will be discussed at Food Secure Canada’s upcoming Assembly, Resetting the Table. [Read More]

Nourish: The future of food in health care

Nourish is recruiting the current champions and future innovators in Canadian healthcare who are working to reconnect food, culture, and health. Nourish is a two-year leadership development program for innovators shaping the future of food in healthcare in Canada. [Read More]

Talking About Food Sovereignty and Political Opportunities at the World Social Forum 2016

How to understand food sovereignty? According to Mamadou Goita from Mali it’s a challenge to the wish of the powerful that we should all just “Eat and shut up”. More than one hundred people joined him in refusing to shut up at a Food Secure Canada event in Montreal during the World Social Forum 2016. [Read More]

Great Food Organizations We Love to Support: Food First NL

With the Food Movement Profiles series, we support and highlight the work of Food Secure Canada members across the country. Today we are pleased to interview Kristie Jameson, Food First NL Executive Director, based in St. John's (Newfoundland and Labrador). [Read More]

It’s time to take a stand… Register for an exhibition spot or advertisement at Resetting the Table

Our assembly is the perfect place to show your commitment to healthy, sustainable food for all. It will place your organization in front of the most passionate food sovereignty and food sustainability leaders.  [Read More]

Other News:

[Globe and Mail] Indigenous people in Northern Ontario spend more than half of income on food: report

The report, released by Food Secure Canada, is the first comprehensive study of its kind to compile and analyze the effect of high food prices in Northern Ontario communities. [Read more]

[CBC] 'How can people afford this?': James Bay communities struggle to eat healthy

"Paying for Nutrition: A Report on Food Costing in the North" reveals the cost of feeding a family in northern Canada is twice as much as the south with prices staggering from $8.65 for about 1.4 kilograms of apples in Fort Albany, Ont., to $8.99 for a box of Corn Flakes in Moose Factory, Ont. [Read more]

[PROOF] Half a Million People Experience Food Insecurity in British Columbia, Says New Report

Almost half a million British Columbians experienced some level of household food insecurity in 2011-2012, according to a new report from PROOF, a research group based at the University of Toronto. [Read more]

[FSC] Bayer signs deal to acquire Monsanto for $US 66 billion : What the Proposed Agribusiness Mega Mergers Could Mean for Canada

German drug and farm chemical maker Bayer AG says it has agreed to acquire seed and weed-killer company Monsanto in an all-cash deal valued at $66 billion. What could it mean for Canada? [Read more]

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Save the Date:

Resetting the Table, FSC's 9th Assembly

October 13-16, 2016
Toronto - Ryerson University

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. [More info]

Organic Week

September 17-25, 2016
Canada, coast to coast.

A national celebration of organic food including various workshops, contests and tours. Anyone passionate about organic food is encouraged to join. [More info]

Decolonizing the table : An evening on Indigenous Food Sovereignty

October 13, 2016 at 7pm
Ryerson Theatre, Toronto

Exploring the front-line stories and struggles of Indigenous peoples as distinct nations that are working to build food sovereignty, this opening plenary of FSC’s 9th Assembly is open to the public. Speakers: Joseph Leblanc, Leesee Papatsie, Dawn Morrison, Dan Longboat and Fulvio Gioanetto. Tickets available on the night at $20. [More info]

VIEW COMPLETE EVENTS CALENDAR

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