Local Food

24 HOURS: Chickens on your block?
By MATT KIELTYKA, 24 HOURS

Backyard hens are making their way up city council's pecking order.

Following their meeting Wednesday night, the Vancouver Food Policy Council will pitch council to change city bylaws to allow residents to raise chickens at home for food.

"There is a lot of interest around this issue," said Trish Kelly of the food policy council.

"It goes with the trend of eating local food and having things like community gardens."

Coun. Andrea Reimer sees it as a great way for people to access local food.

"Obviously it's not for everybody, but I can't imagine why you wouldn't want as much food produced within city limits as possible," she said.

"I've casually spoken with most of the councillors and they're broadly supportive of the concept."

http://andreareimer.typepad.com/in_the_news/2009/01/courier-playing-chic...

January 21, 2009
COURIER: Playing Chicken
Jeff Nield
Vancouver Courier

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

From curbside on a brisk autumn morning on a quiet Mount Pleasant block just west of Main Street, a neatly kept house gives no hint that illegal activity is taking place out back. But, in a city rife with well concealed grow-ops, local residents know that looks can be deceiving. Mary, the retired owner of the property, is as non-threatening as her house, and on first impression she wouldn't fit anyone's stereotype of a lawbreaker.

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.

The next Food Policy Council meeting will be

Wednesday January 14th 6-8:30 pm
Strathcona Room at City Hall

We have a packed agenda, as usual, and guests are welcome.

Claire Gram, Regional Coordinator of Vancouver Coastal Health's Healthy Communities & Community Food Security program will be presenting about what VCH is up to.

By making sure that all people, at all times, have access to adequate amounts of safe, nutritious, culturally appropriate foods, produced in an environmentally sustainable way and provided in a manner that promotes dignity*, Vancouver Coastal Health is working towards a healthier tomorrow for communities, families and individuals.

Vancouver Coastal Health is working in partnership with communities across the region to address food security issues. Currently, there are 8 local Community Food Action Initiative (CFAI) committees in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.

Below are the questions that were discussed in the breakout groups during the forum. Answers to the questions are being compiled and will help in the "How Food Secure is Vancouver" study, which is ongoing. If you would like to comment on any of the questions, please post below...

Question #1
What can be done to protect and enhance our supply of local food given the ongoing pressure that urban development is exerting on the food production zone (ALR) in the South Coastal Region?

Question #2
How would you define food security, within the context of ensuring Vancouver’s food supply becomes sustainable?

Question #3
What are the key determinants of a secure and sustainable food system in Vancouver?