Environment

We may have to come up with a new nickname for the Big Smoke, as Toronto makes tangible policy changes to address carbon emmissions related to the food system.

It's a good thing that creating a just and sustainable food system is not a contest, because Toronto would be one up on Vancouver with this recent policy shift...

In case you missed it, on October 30th, Toronto City Council unanimously adopted a local food procurement policy and implementation plan. Council adopted Toronto Environmental Alliance’s suggested amendment and agreed to develop a plan to achieve an aggressive 50% local food purchasing target as soon as possible! This means it is now the policy of Toronto to progressively increase the percentage of local food it buys for its daycares, shelters and seniors’ homes.

At the November VFPC meeting, Liz Perkins and Dalia Levy from the Environmental Youth Alliance (www.eya.ca) presented to the Food Policy Council. They gave us an introduction to what EYA is, “a local youth driven non-profit organization that provides young people with meaningful employment projects that benefit our communities while supporting our environment- socially, economically, as well as ecologically.” And described the internship program they are participating in.

Funded by Gov of Canada, the 8 month internships involve hands-on experience in the community and growing food, and involve an independent project component. Dalia combined theatre and environmentalism to found an eco-art club to educate on students relevant issues, and Liz was hired on as coordinator of the Fruit Tree project, connecting with canning workshops to provide fruit.