More Information:
Web Resources for Local Food Initiatives
Kootenay Lake Regional Food Systems: A 2010 report commissioned by Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson Creston
Alex Atamanenko's work against Genetically Modified food
PHSA Food Security Handbook
cban: Canadian Biotechnology Action Network: Action, Resources, News, especially action against genetically modified organisms.
Certified Organic Associations of BC: An umbrella association providing support and education promoting organic algriculture
Farm Folk/City Folk: a non-profit society that works with farm & city to cultivate a local, sustainable food system.
The Ram's Horn A Canadian journal of food systems analysis; lots of free online articles.
GRAIN: an international non-profit working for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems
Food Security
June 23, 2010: "Food for Thought" report is now available!
“This is an important and monumental report on what Canadians are thinking,” said Layton. “I would like to thank everyone who came out to the forums and shared their thoughts, and Alex for seeking out the views of so many Canadians interested in food issues.. It is time that people in Ottawa to finally hear what they have to say.”
Press Release Report in English Report in French
Food for Thought Tour Update: Looking for a National Food Policy
"Our goal as parliamentarians must be to work together to design and implement a National Food Policy to meet the increasing challenges we face from a changing climate, dwindling fossil fuel supplies, trade disruptions and other calamities."
Alex Atamanenko, Fall Report 2009
Since last June when Jack Layton first asked me to undertake a national 'Food for Thought' tour I have had the opportunity to participate in forums in over 25 communities across Canada. It has been truly worthwhile to listen and to learn about people's real concerns over food security and food sovereignty. I have seen first hand how many are promoting local food initiatives in their communities. They are not waiting for governments to act but have initiated various projects on their own. Many examples of this can be found here in the BC Southern Interior.
There are a few themes that seem to run constant right across the country:
- The need for senior levels of government to support local food initiatives: ie decentralization of food distributors and mandatory local procurement for state institutions to provide a stable and secure market for farmers
- The negative impact of trade agreements on our ability to control our food supply and our food sovereignty: ie NAFTA rules that allow our markets to be flooded with cheaper goods during harvest are forcing our farmers out of business
- The desire by many citizens to have access to good quality local produce and the positive effect this has on our collective health.
There is an incredibly high level of interest in our country on food security issues. I find it encouraging that there are many individuals in all the federal parties who seem to regard food sovereignty as vital. Our goal as parliamentarians must be to work together to design and implement a National Food Policy to meet the increasing challenges we face from a changing climate, dwindling fossil fuel supplies, trade disruptions and other calamities.
The report that I am preparing on the 'Food for Thought' Tour will hopefully contribute to this policy.