Photo Above: Farmer Dona Madalena with a crop of passion fruit sold through the farm to school program in Tangara de Serra, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Photo by Hannah Wittman. When Hannah Wittman first started traveling to Central Brazil more than a decade ago, she was astounded at the sheer tenacity of the small family farmers...Read More
Our efforts are paying off! Farm to Cafeteria Canada has been working behind the scenes with representatives from diverse sectors right across the country to support the introduction and adoption of policy that will get more local foods into our public institutions. Last June, we were delighted to support the introduction of bill C-539 in...Read More
Quebecers got some good news this May when it was announced that the province had adopted a food sovereignty policy, according to Montreal-based environmental group Equiterre, which applauded the following highlights: government agencies are encouraged to buy local (with a local food procurement strategy slated to come out by year’s end) a mention of the...Read More
The political will to get more local food onto the public plates – is gearing up. No less than five Canadian Premiers have made solid commitments to furthering the local food movement. Three Premiers have specifically said they want to see more publicly funded institutions purchasing local foods and one Premier has set a target...Read More
Over 64 municipal and regional governments across Canada are using a food systems approach to improve health, generate economic development, address environmental sustainability, and engage communities. The report released today, “Municipal food policy entrepreneurs: a preliminary analysis of how Canadian cities and regional districts are involved in food system change,” is the first scan of...Read More
Imagine a Ministry of Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems?, Or an agricultural land reserve that can only be used for farming? Or a provincial food procurement policy requiring hospitals to reach a target of 30% local? Or a renewal of the Buy BC program?. Yes, this is something British Columbians can expect if the BCNDP...Read More
Ontario is affected by many trade agreements that potentially restrict its ability to enact public procurement measures that discriminate in favour of local food. However, an examination of some of the limitations and exceptions of certain trade agreements that affect Ontario as well as a review of public procurement measures adopted by jurisdictions subject to similar trade agreement restrictions,...Read More
