A Community Vision

A participatory process for food policy in Ottawa that ensures collaboration among policy-makers and the public in identifying, prioritizing, researching, advocating for, and overseeing the implementation of food policies in Ottawa.

Challenges

Food is a multidimensional issue. At the municipal level the development and delivery of many policies and services directly and indirectly impact the production, distribution and consumption of food. The realities in Ottawa are such that

• In many Ottawa neighbourhoods, more than 20% of residents live below the Low Income Cut Off rate; children are among the hardest hit;
• Food Bank usage is rising; Ottawa experienced a 7.8% increase in food bank usage between 2008 and 2009;
• From April 2009 to March 2010, 43,000 people in Ottawa visited a Food Bank every month. 37% of these were children.
• Ottawa’s School Breakfast program serves food to approximately 11,000 children in 146 schools every day.
• In 2010, a family of four receiving Ontario Works was short $21/month after paying for food and rent (Nutritious Food Basket);
• Agricultural land assets are shrinking;
• Energy costs are rising;
• Some neighbourhoods don’t have access to healthy foods.

A coherent and consistent policy approach to food and food security for all residents would help to address sustainability of current food programs and services. Despite a variety of community activity and programming for food security and existing municipal support in Ottawa, there is neither a comprehensive food security policy nor a framework for assessment of coordinated community interventions at the municipal level.

Ways Forward

The climate in Ottawa favours food policy action and a clear need for this work has been identified. A forum to bring forward food policy issues – such as a food policy council or other model – allows for timely, coordinated, and whole-system policy responses to food issues that cover a broad spectrum of City of Ottawa and NCC operations. Corporate policy, school board policy, and organizational policy are also included within the scope of such a council or forum.

This approach represents a new kind of collaborative policy-making that is inclusive of citizens, businesses, community organizations, and government. Going further than consultation, or participation, such a body would invite all members of the community to get involved in all stages of policy making – from the identification of critical issues, through research and analysis of policy options, to the development of implementable policies, monitoring their implementation, and the evaluation of results.

The Food Action Plan proposes

This proposal recommends ongoing discussions to determine an appropriate model for Ottawa, that would facilitate a coordinated approach to food policy issues in Ottawa, and the establishment of this body with very broad community and City of Ottawa participation.

Full text of the Food Action Plan proposal (coming soon)