WHEREAS there is a growing demand for locally produced food, and increasing support for urban agriculture within cities and towns; AND WHEREAS urban agricultural activities are well suited to meet, in part, the growing demand for local food; AND WHEREAS urban agriculture represents a land use well suited to underutilized public land; AND WHEREAS numerous local governments across British Columbia have or are currently developing food-related planning policies, food charters, OCP amendments related to urban agriculture and food related policies in support of food secure communities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM encourage local governments within the province of British Columbia to undertake an inventory of public land inclusive of parks, boulevards, rights-of-way including identification of current zoning and applicable bylaws andor covenants, with the intention of creating local government agricultural land banks for all forms of urban agriculture activities in support of local food security initiatives that may include, but are not limited to: urban farms, community gardens, or edible boulevards; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM encourage local governments to review procurement and business licensing policies to enhance the viability of urban agriculture.
