To Whom it May Concern,
Please accept our submission in response to the CFS call for experiences and effective policy approaches in addressing food security and nutrition in the context of changing rural-urban dynamics.
The below serves as an overview of the efforts of Metro Vancouver to improve the sustainability of their city-region food system.
We would be happy to answer further questions on the case and look forward to the forthcoming CFS publication.
Best regards,
Tori Okner
Proponent
Local governments of Metro Vancouver
Main responsible entity
Metro Vancouver Board
Date/Timeframe
2011-present
Funding source
The Regional Food System Strategy (RFSS) had no allotted budget for the period between 2011 (when it was adopted) and 2014. With the operationalization of the Action Plan, the RFSS will have an as-yet unspecified budget.
Location
Metro Vancouver
Background/Context
In Vancouver, there are growing concerns about the rising incidence of obesity, food safety, disappearing of farmland and increasing prices, depleted fish populations, food waste, pesticides, fertilizer, pollution, depletion of local markets, and the large carbon footprint of food. The globalized food system and the rapid population growth put high pressures on the resources and local farmers. In British Columbia (BC), 86% of food was produced locally in the 1970s; in 2010 only 43% is produced locally. However, there is a renewed interest in growing food, preparing healthy meals, and buying locally produced foods. Yet, the average age of farmers in BC is 57 years; only 6% of the farmers in BC are under age 35. The discrepancy between the supply of local food and increasing demand requires local government action. The Regional Food System Strategy (RFSS) was adopted by Metro Vancouver in 2011, with a vision to create, “a sustainable, resilient and healthy food system that will contribute to the well-being of all residents and the economic prosperity of the region while conserving our ecological legacy.” The RFSS contains five goals (see following section) aiming to mitigate negative impacts of food systems services, promote positive developments, include public participation and utilize interdependent synergies at the regional level.
Focus/Objectives
The RFSS strategy is focused on actions at the regional level to lead to a more localized, sustainable, resilient and healthy food system while continuing to be embedded in the larger food system at the national and global scales.
Goal 1: Increased Capacity to Produce Food Close to Home
Goal 2: Improve the Financial Viability of the Food Sector
Goal 3: People Make Healthy and Sustainable Food Choices
Goal 4: Everyone has Access to Healthy, Culturally Diverse and Affordable Food
Goal 5: A Food System Consistent with Ecological Health
Key characteristics of the experience/process
1.1 Protect agricultural land for food production
1.2 Restore fish habitat and protect sustainable sources of seafood
1.3 Enable expansion of agricultural production
1.4 Invest in a new generation of food producers
1.5 Expand commercial food production in urban areas
2.1 Increase capacity to process, warehouse and distribute local foods
2.2 Include local foods in the purchasing policies of large public institutions
2.3 Increase direct marketing opportunities for local foods
2.4 Further develop value chains within the food sector
2.5 Review government policies and programs to ensure they enable the expansion of the local food sector
3.1 Enable residents to make healthy food choices
3.2 Communicate how food choices support sustainability
3.3 Enhance food literacy and skills in school
3.4 Celebrate the taste of local foods and the diversity of cuisines
4.1 Improve access to nutritious food among vulnerable groups
4.2 Encourage urban agriculture
4.3 Enable non-profit organizations to recover nutritious food
5.1 Protect and enhance ecosystem goods and services
5.2 Reduce waste in the food system
5.3 Facilitate adoption of environmentally sustainable practices
5.4 Prepare for the impacts of climate change
Key actors involved and their role
The engagement of a diverse group of stakeholders, including: local governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, community groups, educational institutions, provincial health authorities, food banks and charitable organizations, is promoted by Metro Vancouver, its members and the action plan. The involvement of these stakeholders is aimed at enhancing idea generation, capacity building and problem-solving and ultimately at revitalizing the regional food system.
Key changes observed with regards to food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture and food systems
Since the adoption of the RFSS, local governments have undertaken many actions, they:
Goal 1:
• protected agricultural land through the implementation of Metro 2040
• adopted guidelines to restore and enhance fish habitat
• invested in irrigation and drainage infrastructure to enable farmers to expand food production
• facilitated commercial food production in urban areas
• addressed the deposition of illegal fill on farmland through municipal bylaws and enforcement activities
Goal 2:
• reviewed policies to include local food in purchasing agreements
• expanded marketing of local foods (leases on city owned lands for farmers markets, municipal services, improved promotion of farm tours and events, etc.)
• developed plans to address food related issues and reviewed regulations, bylaws and policies to remove obstacles and to create a more enabling business environment for local food enterprises
Goal 3:
• involved educational institutions and hosting annual events
• initiated a program to increase student capacity to manage and expand teaching gardens, and supported agricultural-related content and programming at the local museum
• developed new curriculum resources to support K-12 teachers and students on integrating ‘food systems’ thinking into the classroom
Goal 4:
• initiated pilot projects to allow residential bee keeping and urban chickens
• did research on how to improve food security in social housing sites • supported programs to facilitate food access for vulnerable populations
• created community gardens for residents
Goal 5:
• developed Integrated Stormwater Management Plans to manage water flowing from urban areas and the impact on aquatic and terrestrial species, vegetation manage, and groundwater recharge
• educated residents and businesses about the disposal ban on food wastes through media campaigns and advising on ways reduce organics and food waste as part of the regional Organic Waste Ban
• launched initiatives in support of Best Management Practices for stream crossings, and land management for horse and small-lot owners
• developed climate change adaptation strategies that considers impacts on local food production
Challenges faced
The local governments have many competing priorities and obligations. Across the region there is a lack of adequate resources committed to food and agricultural issues and a lack of consistency in terms of where and how agri-food issues are addressed within each municipality, which makes it difficult to coordinate among departments and across the region. The siloed nature of local governments limits the ability of government agencies to work across multiple jurisdictions to capture synergies. The range of levels of political commitment to a food system approach often results in actions being completed when staff time and funding become available, rather than being a strategic priority. The region continues to work to improve the financial viability of local farmers and food processors and thereby increasing the capacity to produce more local food. The effort to encourage people to eat healthier diets is ongoing as the need to ensure a more equitable access to nutritious food.
Lessons/Key messages
To improve urban food systems requires a city-region, ecosystem approach. Pollutants, pesticides, exhausting fumes, dumping sewage, etc. do not adhere to political boundaries and erode the natural resources that supply our food. A city-region food system approach requires awareness of the different and interdependent relationship between agricultural municipalities, which tend to be focused on protecting agricultural land and expanding commercial food production, and municipalities with less agricultural land, which can help to bring local food awareness and social benefits to residents through activities such as farmers’ markets and urban agriculture. Building an awareness and understanding of the respective roles and interdependence of local governments is a key to effectively expand local food production. Stakeholder engagement is critical; allow each community to build on its own strengths to address food issues, while also working together on cross-cutting actions and learn from others’ experiences. We must continue to invest in and expand innovative approaches across the region and embark on new initiatives to address the persistent challenges and emerging regional food system issues.
Tori Okner