Todmorden, a small village of 15,000 is embarking on an ambitious plan to be self sufficient in food by 2018. The town already has 70 large vegetable gardens, and is digging up lawns to plant more veggies on an ongoing basis. No public space is sacred, the police station, train station, health centre and school are all providing free fruits and vegetables to locals. The local school recently won a £500,000 grant to start a fish farm. The benefits extend beyond the health benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables. Vandalism and crime are on the decline and the local economy is improving.
Councillor Philippe Lucas has brought forward a motion for council to consider allowing miniature goats, "It would be for food security reasons, so for the production of cheese and yogurt," he said, adding Seattle and Portland already allow miniature goats in yards." Some residents are very pleased with the motion, noting that miniature goats are perfect for urban agriculture. Read more in the VicNews.
The FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) conducted a survey in 2010 to learn whether Canadian municipalities are considering sustainable food systems in their planning process. The results are now in and show that there is a strong interest in developing sustainable food system particularly in urban areas (57%). Find results of the survey here.
BC's Farm to School program is having a transformative effect on student participants. The program provides students with locally grown food served at the school cafeteria, and some classroom time dedicated to learning about local food and nutrition. At participant schools students are enthusiastically lining up at the salad bar and are showing a genuine interest in growing their own food.
September 27th 2011 served as "Earth Overshoot Day," meaning humanity's demands on nature have surpassed what nature can provide. The extreme depletion of fish stocks, forests and clean water is has lead to a situation where the earth cannot replenish itself at the pace at which we are taking from it."Earth Overshoot Day shows the day on which our total Ecological Footprint (measured in global hectares) is equal to the biocapacity (also measured in global hectares) that nature can regenerate in that year.
With support from the Greenbelt Foundation and the Province of Ontario municipalities and public institutions across Ontario are initiating local food policies to encourage local food being served in daycares, schools and hospitals. The Broader Public Sector Investment Fund: Promoting Ontario Food provides funding for connecting local food to communities.
A comprehensive sustainable growth plan for Edmonton was approved by city council on July 20th. "The Way We Green describes a future Edmonton that is carbon-neutral, generates zero waste, is significantly less dependent on fossil fuels, has clean air and water, is able to withstand and bounce back intact from a range of possible environmental disturbances, and where in the course of everyday life, residents experience a strong connection with nature." City staff is now working on an implementation plan to be presented in the fall.
Filed in:
Climate Change,
Building & Urban Design,
News Stories,
Energy,
Reports and Studies,
Biodiversity,
Tools and Best Practices,
Food Security,
Pesticides,
Transportation,
Waste,
Water | July 25, 2011
Applying biosolids (treated sewage) to farmland as a fertilizer is a common, but controversial practice that has resulted in some very toxic fields. Although it is banned in some countries, Canada has no such policy. Victoria councillor Philippe Lucas made a motion to the CRD to ban biosolids and it passed unanimously. Read more in the Times Colonist.
Despite worries that a Canada European Trade Agreement (CETA) will threaten local procurement policies, many Canadian municipalities are moving ahead and developing their local food motions. THe Saanich District in BC just passed a policy that would make local food a priority at district events, at council meetings, and at cafes in recreation centres.
The City of Edmonton is looking at incorporating lands reserved for agriculture, as well as community and backyard food gardens, into its city planning. A huge demand for local produce combined with disappearing agricultural land has motivated the city to start looking at the long range picture, "There has to be a balance with how we are going to grow and how we are going to use our land," said Edmonton Mayor, Stephen Mandel.
