Last week, the federal government announced the country's long-awaited, first-ever national food policy, A Food Policy For Canada: Everyone at the Table.
Canada’s new food policy came together after several years of research, collaboration and consultations with Canadians across the country, including food producers and processors, experts in health and food security, the environment, Indigenous groups, non-governmental organizations and community advocates.
The multi-million-dollar policy ($134 million invested through the 2019 budget) will not only help Canada create a healthier and more sustainable food system, it will also put a focus on several important areas.
Initiatives under the new food policy aim to improve access to safe, healthy and culturally diverse food, improve food security, reduce food waste, crack down on food fraud, including the mislabelling and misrepresentation of food products, create a National School Food Program for students across the country, increase pride and confidence in Canadian food, and invest in local food through a $50 million Local Food Infrastructure Fund. The investment will support community-based projects such as greenhouses, community freezers and skills training.
While this food policy has been anticipated in communities across the country, particularly in places where the local food movement is well established, its unveiling in some parts, like here in Central Alberta, provides an opportunity to harness and support the increasing interest in local food.
We’ve seen a developing appetite for local food in Central Alberta because more and more people care about where their food comes from and how it is produced.
The growing popularity of farmers markets, field-to-fork or farm-to-table events, and a desire to connect with area farmers and growers, has proven Albertans are eager to purchase fruits and vegetables, meat, grains, cheese and other dairy products that are locally grown or sourced and sustainably produced.
The local food movement has helped connect consumers and farmers, has contributed to local economic growth, and has brought about greater awareness of the impacts local food has on health, the environment, on community and social well-being.
Bringing all of these factors together under one roof can also help facilitate programs and projects that benefit communities, not just individuals. We’ve seen this with the establishment of community food centres across the country, including at least one here in Alberta.
With Canada’s first food policy now a reality, it’s the perfect time for central Albertans to create a community food centre of their own and help transform the future of local, sustainable food.
Kristine Jean is the reporter for the Innisfail Province.
