Local And Just

Whether it is food security programs in BC, farmers’ market infrastructure in Ontario, or northern community gardens in Manitoba, Canada’s provincial governments have developed a wide range of innovative programs and policies to address food security.  These are documented in the 2011 edition of Provincial Approaches to Food Security.    This annotated collection provides information about [...]

For the first time ever in a Canadian election, all five federal parties have released food policies as part of their election campaigns.  Not only that, but the existence of these policies was fodder for the top story this morning on the Globe and Mail‘s website – indicating that people, and the media, are increasingly [...]

Until recently, one possible argument that a dismissive critic of food policy for a city like Winnipeg could bring up was that food policy was a ‘big city’ phenomenon – something for centres like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.  Far away, cosmopolitan, large budgeted and, heck, even nicer climates. This argument, if it ever was valid, [...]

The election is over and the votes have been counted.  It was a good year to be an incumbent in Winnipeg – none lost – but there will still be some fresh faces on city council since several seats were not being contested by incumbent candidates. Looking back on this campaign, were there positive developments [...]

Let’s get food policy on the municipal plate. This summer I was introduced – at least for the first time in a meaningful way – to what I like to call “the food issue”. The complex set of issues umbrella-ed under the term has implications on us all – whether you’re a farmer or just [...]

Care passionately about food?  Want some ideas about how to talk with your candidates in the upcoming municipal election about food issues – hunger, local food, community gardens, farmers’ markets, and more!  The Winnipeg Food Policy Working Group has just released an election guide that you can use over the next two months as we [...]