Bits and Bytes March 2015
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COALITION CALLS FOR FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL FOOD
Press release: March 17, 2015, Montreal, QC
The Coalition for Healthy School Food, made up of more than twenty organizations across Canada, is asking the federal government to invest one billion dollars in a Universal Healthy School Food Program to ensure all students can eat healthy food at school everyday.
About one-quarter of children’s calories are from food products not recommended in Canada’s Food Guide, and only about one-third of children eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruit daily. “The federal government should invest in a universal school food program to ensure that children establish healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime,” says Diana Bronson, Executive Director of Food Secure Canada (FSC). “We shall be looking at the platforms of all political parties in the upcoming election to ensure that a minimum of $250 million is earmarked for the program in their first year in office, to be gradually scaled up to a billion dollars.”
Investing in a universal school food program would eventually reduce the financial burden on our healthcare system by reducing risks of diet-related chronic diseases and mental illness. “Canada is one of the only industrialized countries that does not invest in its children this way, and it’s time they stepped up to the plate,” according to Bronson.
By building on existing programs across the country, this investment would eventually allow all schools to serve a healthy meal or snack to Canadian children at little or no cost to their families. This proposition is detailed in the position paper that was just released by the Coalition for Healthy School Food and available at foodsecurecanada.org/CHSF2015.
A growing body of research demonstrates the potential of school food programs to improve food choices, support academic achievement for all students, as well as contribute to students’ physical and mental health. “Almost 90 per cent of the schools In Newfoundland and Labrador have a Kids Eat Smart Breakfast Club that provides healthy and nutritious food in an inclusive environment,” says Celina Stoyles, Executive Director of Kids Eat Smart Foundation Newfoundland and Labrador. “Children then attend school well nourished and ready to learn. Our government, corporate, community partnership has truly made a difference in the lives of the children of our province. All children in Canada should receive the same opportunity.”
Food Secure Canada, that coordinates the Coalition, is a pan-Canadian alliance of organizations and individuals working together to advance food security and food sovereignty through three inter-locking goals: zero hunger, healthy and safe food, and sustainable food systems.
For more information on the Coalition for Healthy School Food, go to foodsecurecanada.org/chsf |
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GOOD FOOD MATTERS - LOGO CONTESTWe found a slogan for our campaign: Good Food Matters. Now we need you to help us bring it alive so we are sponsoring a logo contest. We are looking for a logo that meets the following criteria:
First Prize: $250 for a logo that we choose for FSC’s election campaign Runner-up: $50
The winner will be determined by our Board of Directors and announced in our next newsletter.
Please send your submissions to communications@foodsecurecanada.org by April 10. |
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companies gain, farmers loseBill C-18 or the Agricultural Growth Act received royal assent on February 25. According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), Bill C-18’s passing will primarily benefit multinational agri-business corporations. “This law is nothing for farmers to cheer about, in spite of recent congratulatory statements made by several organizations. On the contrary it turns farmers’ ancient relationship with seed inside out.” said NFU President Jan Slomp.
The new law, which brings Canada under the UPOV ’91 plant breeders’ rights regime, expands seed companies’ exclusive rights to control new varieties of seed, and grants them new ways to collect royalty revenue from farmers. In other words, seed corporations will now decide which new varieties will be commercialized, and will reap the royalty payments.
“The Agricultural Growth Act will also allow companies to make more money by selling seed developed for larger markets in other countries with different growing conditions, instead of investing in plant breeding relevant to Canadian farmers’ needs,” noted Terry Boehm, Chair of the NFU Seed and Trade Committee.
“It is a shame that Canada’s government has decided to pass a law that will enrich some of the wealthiest and most powerful global corporations at the expense of Canadian farmers and the biodiversity of Canada’s food system,” added Slomp.
For more details, read the NFU’s Press Release Click here to read FSC’s brief in front of the Senate Committee on Agriculture |
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union paysanne and young farmersFood Secure Canada had the pleasure of participating in the Congress of the Union Paysanne (UP) in February 2015 in Kamouraska, Quebec. At the Congress, the UP presented Towards Supply Management 2.0 in Canada a discussion paper offering food for thought on issues related to the supply management system in Canada and its impact on farms, farmers and young farmers.
Also in February, the Quebec Minister of Agriculture Pierre Paradis mandated Jean Pronovost to organize consultations to identify barriers for new entrants to agriculture and to present recommendations to address the issues. Many have welcomed this announcement, considering that the nature of new and young farmers has changed. The new farmers to be consulted will be chosen by the UPA (Union des producteurs agricoles), the Union Paysanne and the Conseil des entrepreneurs agricoles.
From 2006 to 2008, Jean Pronovost led the Commission sur l’avenir de l’agriculture et de l’agroalimentaire, which had multiple recommendations concerning young farmers, namely calling for an increased flexibility of supply management systems and a decrease in the price of quotas, which is affecting farm transfers to young farmers.
Those who wish to participate to the consultations are encouraged to contact either the UPA, CEA or Union Paysanne. It should be noted, however, that UPA does not intend to participate in the consultations and plans to send their recommendations directly to the Minister. |
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nutrition Tips from 9 to 5This March, Dietitians of Canada is encouraging Canadians to eat well at work in celebration of Nutrition Month 2015.
45% of Canadians say that eating healthy meals and snacks while at work is challenging, according to an Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Dietitians of Canada.
Throughout the month of March dietitians across Canada will be sharing their food and nutrition expertise and serving up tips to: combat rushed mornings; improve choices at meetings, events and in the workplace; revive lunchtime; fight the mid-day slump and manage commuter cravings.
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2015 CAFS ConferenceThe Canadian Association for Food Studies (CAFS) is hosting a conference May 31st-June 2 at the University of Ottawa. For more info about the conference, follow this link.
A full-day pre-conference open to all students, postdocs and emerging researchers will take place on May 30th, 2015. A detailed program and registration information are available here. Please note that registration is limited and that the early bird deadline for the CAFS Assembly is March 31st, 2015.
For questions concerning the pre-conference, please contact virginielp@gmail.com
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Call for Proposals - 2016 AssemblyIn November 2016, FSC will hold its 9th National Assembly and we are looking for a host organization and community to help make it happen! If you are interested in hosting this exciting event, please submit a 2-3 page proposal by April 17th. CFCC 1st Food SummitMore than 100 community food leaders from across Canada gathered in Toronto February 27-March 1 for Community Food Centres Canada's first Food Summit. To view highlights from this event, check out the following:
Run for BiodiversityAre you a runner or a walker? USC Canada is looking for dedicated volunteers to walk or run for biodiversity on April 26, in the Banque Scotia 21k et 5k de Montréal (Scotiabank Montreal Half Marathon and 5 km race). With your help, USC Canada is able to support farmers around the world in growing more food for their families. |
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Upcoming EventsWebinar: The Food Security Crisis in the North - What Next?March 19, 2015 What will it take to finally make staggering food insecurity in Northern Canada a priority for the federal government? event: fOOD: Safety, Security, and Sustainability ConferenceMarch 19, 2015 What are the issues people around the world and in Montreal face to get access to healthy food? What is the McGill community doing to help? How can we ensure better access to more sustainable food? Webinar: Community Models for Vibrant Farmers' MarketsMarch 25, 2015 Join us for a panel of diverse farmers' market organizers and public health practitioners working on projects to make farmers' markets accessible and appealing to everyone. webinar: Close to Universal: Healthy School Food Programs in NS and NFLApril 2, 2015 We invite you to join us in this conversation, to learn about and be inspired by successful school food program models. event: Local Prosperity, an atlantic regional ConferenceApril 9-12, 2015 This conference will focus on how individuals, businesses, and communities can design and then implement a practical blueprint for a prosperous future and a healthy economy. |
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