A clinic Thursday at the UBCM convention provided delegates with an engaging conversation about food security in BC communities.
Led by presenters from Squamish Food Policy Council, Investment Agriculture Foundation, and Farm Folk City Folk, the clinic explored options for addressing long-term local food needs at a time of great urgency due to our changing climate and the effects of the global pandemic.
The presenters spoke of several initiatives aimed to encourage communities to offer support to move forward with food policy agendas, including the Local Government Partnership Program, a cost-share grant of up to $40,000 that supports communities as they integrate agricultural strategy into community planning.
Krystle tenBrink from Squamish Food Policy Council offered creative approaches to incorporating food systems into many aspects of local planning, including OCP and RGS updates, transportation and waste management, and financial planning.
The clinic concluded with a break-out session with delegates discussing their communities’ current activities involving food system initiatives.