Full title:
Policies in schools and school boards in Canada which encourage the availability of healthy and/or local foods and the factors that influence their implementation.
This research paper examines school food policies across Canada. In particular, it examines policies within schools or in school boards that encourage the availability of healthy foods, the availability of local foods, and the factors that influence the implementation of these policies.
The report also includes a number of very useful charts and tables describing school food policies across the country, as well as web links to where information about these school food policies can be found.
Authors: D Smith, Ottawa Hospital Dietetic Internship Program, Ottawa, Ontario and O Wodin, Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario.
The report Urban Agriculture and Food Security Initiatives in Canada: A Survey of Canadian Non-Governmental Organizations, was produced by the International Development Research Centre in 1998. This report intended to give an overview of existing community based organizing efforts to create more just and sustainable food systems. The information in this report was meant to point researchers and the public to organizations that are working on different aspects of food security and make known tangible community based organizing efforts. In the final section you will a bibliography, a list of resource groups and a directory of organizations by region that is cross-referenced to the chapter of the report referring to its work and focus.
Access the full report here
The Stop Community Food Centre: An Introduction (VIDEO)
In December 2008 the Metcalf Foundation released a request for solution papers on ways that Ontario can develop a more local, sustainable food system by identifying key points to leverage change.
This paper has been written both in response to Metcalf’s call and for the numerous organizations, policy makers, and community groups that have expressed interest in learning more about the Community Food Centre (CFC) model and ways to replicate its successful approach in other communities.
The Stop Community Food Centre is located in Davenport West in Toronto, one of Ontario’s lowest-income, most diverse communities. The Stop’s mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community, and challenges inequality.
This paper suggests that The Stop can serve as a model for those seeking to address key issues of food insecurity in other communities. The paper incorporates a review of the literature on the social determinants of health and how food programs in general can address them. It also examines evidence gathered by The Stop regarding the impact of its programs in increasing food access and equity, reducing social isolation, and improving health and food skills. Individual programs similar to some of those at The Stop exist elsewhere, and they generate many benefits. However, this paper argues that it is time to look at larger-scale social investment in building a new type of institution modeled on The Stop’s multi-faceted approach to food security. There is a strong case to be made that a place-based food organization — underpinned by a holistic approach to food security and possessing an adequate physical infrastructure (in order to house a critical mass of staff and programs) — can have a powerful impact on the health and well-being of not only individuals but also larger communities.
You can access the full report here
Food Matters Manitoba is a registered charity that engages Manitobans towards healthy, sustainable and fair food for all.
Food Matters Manitoba
- Cultivates community food skills
- Provides public education
- Builds partnerships and networks
This report outlines opportunities for municipal governments in Manitoba to promote food security. The variety of options demonstrates a range of programs that a municipality can adopt depending on size, budgetary requirements, and interests. Addressing food security has the opportunity to help create healthier economies, healthier environments and healthier citizens.
The report addresses a number of key action areas:
- Municipal Planning and Food
- Community Food Assessments
- Community Gardens
- Food Access
- Urban Agriculture
- Handling Food Waste
- City Administration
- Healthy Foods
- Supporting Local Farmers
You can access the report here
L’Union des Consommateurs, located in Montreal, Quebec, developed the following charter outlining fundamental rights concerning food.
Collectively, populations have the right to:
- benefit from the application of internationally recognized and adopted principles:
-Sustainable development,
-Precaution,
-Biodiversity;
- gain access to productive resources
- take part in all decisions involving public policies, research, food transformation and marketing.
Individually, every person has the right to:
- sufficient quality food, as part of a well-balanced diet, at an affordable price;
- information permitting enlightened choices, particularly with respect to food production and transformation processes;
- a purchasing power allowing for adequate nourishment.
In the event of a disaster or cause beyond control, every person or community has the right to:
- local emergency food aid.
You can access the french version here
and the english version here
Healthy Eating Nova Scotia was produced in 2005, through a collaborative process initiated by the Healthy Eating Action Group of the Nova Scotia Alliance for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.
Healthy Eating Nova Scotia is a strategic plan to address food and nutrition-related health issues. The document provides a framework for comprehensive action on healthy eating, one of the four areas of emphasis recommended in the Nova Scotia Chronic Disease Prevention Strategy. The strategy was developed by an active partnership of government and non-government organizations, private corporations and professional associations, in consultation with the broader community. Healthy Eating Nova Scotia outlines four priority action areas: breastfeeding, children and youth, fruit and vegetable consumption, and food security.
Rationale, objectives, current status and next steps are provided for each of the four priority areas.
You can access the full report here
The Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA) is the provincial collective voice, consisting of over 30 organizations, on chronic disease prevention.
In 2011, The Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance released a toolkit and handbook, as resources to support Ontario communities in advancing healthy public policies.
The purpose of the toolkit is to help you influence policies that support healthier communities. This toolkit expands on the work of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance (OCDPA) and its many project partners. It is based on THCU’s 8 step process to policy development and builds on the Physical Activity Resource Centre (PARC)’s Workbook for Influencing Physical Activity Policy.
This toolkit is for anyone who wants to advance policy in their community or encourage policy change at the local level. This toolkit will guide you through the policy development process with:
- A step by step outline of the policy‐development process
- Practical worksheets to help you move through the steps
- Helpful tips for each step
- Policy ideas to help identify potential future policies
- Web links for further information/support
The Handbook to Healthier Communities – Influencing Healthy Public Policies is a brief version of the Toolkit to Healthier Communities – Influencing Healthy Public Policies. The ‘steps’ to policy development are summarized in one-page overview format. Policy ideas are also included in this handbook, which helps support healthier communities. More information on policy, as well as details, examples, tips, resources and worksheets is provided in the full version of the toolkit to help guide policy development.
Click here to access the toolkit and handbook
The Northeast Saskatchewan Food Charter was developed in 2005, through the Food For All Coalition. The charter provides a vision for food security that addresses the following 5 key areas:
1) Food Security, Production, Distribution, Processing and Storage
2) Food Security and Social Justice
3) Food Security and Culture
4) Food Security, Health and Learning
5) Food Security and Globalization
The Food Charter outlines a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach, emphasizing the role of partnerships between communities, municipalities, councils, boards, and organizations in the promotion of food security in the northeast region of Saskatchewan.
The Charter may be viewed here
Power River is situated 130 km north of Vancouver, British Columbia. This 2006 report provides an overview of the Powell River Community Food Action Initiative, including details of an environmental scan, assessment and analysis of gaps, as well as a list of project ideas, and a recommended action plan with policy proposals. Appendices included research methodology and tools.
You can access the full report here
