FSC News
FSC Governance Update and AGM
 Successful amendment to our quorum
Last month, our members participated in an online vote to change our quorum requirements. The amendment passed. Thank you to all those who participated. We look forward to seeing many of you at our AGM on November 27th in Montreal.
By-laws
Now, it’s our by-laws’ turn to face the music. We want your input on the 1st draft of our new bylaws before Friday August 16. If you have not received the consultation notice, send a quick note to nydia@foodsecurecanada.org.
SAVE THE DATE: AGM - Montreal, November 27, 2013
We are planning an action-packed gathering for you in November. We will host a public event featuring a menu of food system innvovations. We know the food system is broken, but what are creative people out there doing to create sustainable, healthy and safe food systems? Stay tuned! More details to come. And don’t forget our AGM, where a new Board of Directors will be elected and our bylaws adopted.
Be on FSC’s New Board of Directors!
Are you doing important work on food related issues? And do you believe in FSC’s vision and mandate? Then join our Board of Directors or nominate someone else who would be right for the job! At this year’s AGM, a new Board of Directors (formerly known as the Steering Committee) will be elected. We are looking for a dynamic and diverse group of individuals to take us into the future. Nominations will open on October 1st. For more information, contact nydia@foodsecurecanada.org.
Share your Story, Raise your Profile
Food Secure Canada hosts webinars on a monthly basis to highlight the amazing work of the food movement and to dig into some of the tough questions we all grapple with. Sharing your story through our webinars gives you the opportunity to connect with others across the country working on similar issues, raise the profile of your work and connect with new audiences, funders and decision makers.
Want to share your story? Find out more and fill out this brief form.
FSC Attends the 4th Annual Tar Sands Healing Walk
In January, Eriel Deranger asked a room of over 300 people from across the country gathered in Ottawa for the 1st Assembly of the Peoples’ Social Forum: “By show of hands, how many here have heard of tar sands?”. All present raised their hands. “Now” she continued, “how many here have actually seen tar sands?”. This time, the room stood still. Read more.
 BC Food Systems Annual Gathering
The 15th annual Gathering of the BC Food Systems Network was another vibrant and diverse event, reconnecting and energizing participants for the work in our respective communities. The theme of the Gathering was “Food from the water, food from the land”. According to the tradition of the Network, we engaged with the Indigenous community on whose land we met, the Cowichan Tribes First Nation of the Coast Salish people, seeking permission and collaboration. Continue reading.
It's out! PROOF 2011 Report on Household Food Insecurity
PROOF is a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) funded research program launched in 2011 to identify effective policy interventions to address household food insecurity. The 2011 report, the first of a series of annual reports on the issue, offers much needed research on the state of food insecurity in Canada. Read the report.
Fisheries Feature: Recognizing and Protecting our Small-Scale Fisheries
Small-scale fisheries are the cornerstone of  many of Canada’s coastal communities. A current initiative undertaken by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) calls on Canadians to recognize and protect this cornerstone by adopting the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. Read more.
 Raising the Bar on Student Food Programs and Policies
Canada is one of the only westernized countries without federal support for student food programs. There is a patchwork of policies and programs currently supporting student food programs, with active leadership coming from non-profits and school boards.
In response to ongoing member request and the priorities named in the People’s Food Policy, we are working with members to develop a project that will Raise the Bar on Student Food Programs and policies across the country.
Stay tuned! We plan to host another round of kitchen table talks as part of developing an elaborate vision of the role of the federal government in creating healthy schools through student food. For more information, contact amanda@foodsecurecanada.org.
Canadian Medical Association Report: Canada-wide Food Strategy Needed
Throughout the winter and spring of 2013, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) conducted wide-ranging consultations to gather input on Canadians’ views on the social determinants of health. Public town hall meetings were held in Winnipeg, Hamilton, Charlottetown, Calgary, Montréal and St. John’s. One of the recommendations that came out of this process was the need for a Canada-wide food program to ensure equitable access to safe and healthy food for all. We couldn't agree more! Read the report.
CFIA: Modernizing "Local" Labelling
Most Canadians do not flock to an  opportunity to participate in Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) consultations. However, the recent food labelling modernization consultation, tied as it is with the controversial and abrupt change in the definition of “local” may draw in more citizens than usual. Canadians have until August 30th to review the discussion paper and complete the related survey. Stakeholder consultations are expected to continue through much of 2014 – although “consumer groups” are the only category of civil society named as stakeholders. The Kootenay Coop in Nelson, BC even started a petition on the matter. Read more.
FSC Network Update: Youth Caucus
Food Secure Canada's Youth Caucus is looking to grow and engage new members!
 The Youth Caucus is made up of Canadian youth (aged 30 and under) dedicated to the issues of zero hunger, a sustainable food system, and healthy and safe food. We seek to ensure youth representation in Food Secure Canada's decision-making processes and throughout its networks. The Youth Caucus will provide mentorship and leadership opportunities and create a space for youth to strategise and mobilise around national food issues. We commit to continuous outreach and recognise the strength of engaging youth from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. We will be hosting a teleconference to welcome new members and give interested people a chance to hear what we’re about on August 8.
What: Meeting for new and interested members via teleconference.
When: Thursday, August 8 at 9:30 am EDT.
For more information about calling in or if you are unable to attend the call, get in touch with Brynne Sinclair-Waters (bsinclairwaters@gmail.com) or Sasha McNicoll (sasha.mcnicoll@tyfpc.ca). We look forward to hearing from you!
 Calling all the Book Worms
Have you been reading fascinating books on food lately? Why not share your review with the food movement? FSC would like to feature book reviews (between 750 and 1,000 words) in our monthly newsletters. Send your proposal to review a book to communications@foodsecurecanada.org.
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