Item - 2010.HL31.1

The Board of Health:

1.         requested the City Manager to direct all City Divisions, and request Agencies, Boards and Commissions to identify and implement initiatives that support a healthy and sustainable food system, including those identified in Appendix 1 to the report (May 20, 2010) from the Medical Officer of Health “Cultivating Food Connections:  Toward a Healthy and Sustainable Food System for Toronto”;

2.         directed that immediate food strategy initiatives focus on leveraging existing resources and that any initiatives requiring new resources be dealt with through the 2011 City budget process;

3.         directed the Medical Officer of Health to report to the Board of Health and City Council in early 2011, including progress to date, proposed next steps and a recommended governance model;

4.         directed the Medical Officer of Health to explore with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success and the Toronto District School Board the re-establishment of basic food skills, including preparation, as part of the curriculum in Toronto’s schools;

5.         directed the Medical Officer of Health, as part of the food preparation mapping strategy, to also report on the number of classroom kitchens that have been eliminated from Toronto schools since amalgamation;

6.         requested the Ontario Public Health Association and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies to advocate for the Ontario curriculum to require food preparation courses;

7.         directed the Medical Officer of Health to ensure that the new City Council members are made aware of the importance of food security for the city and the Toronto Food Strategy;

8.         forwarded the report (May 20, 2010) from the Medical Officer of Health to the June 14, 2010, Executive Committee meeting for information; and

9.         forwarded the report (May 20, 2010) from the Medical Officer of Health to key City Divisions as well as to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Health Canada, Industry Canada, Environment Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada; the provincial Ministries of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Children and Youth Services, Community and Social Services, Environment, Health and Long-Term Care, Health Promotion, Education; the Ontario Public Health Association, the Canadian Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; the Dietitians of Canada, the United Way of Greater Toronto, Sustain Ontario, the Toronto Food Policy Council, Food Secure Canada, Consumer Products of Canada, Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, Toronto Board of Trade, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association; the Directors of the Toronto school boards; and the Local Health Integration Networks.

This report provides an update on the Toronto Food Strategy project, including the results of stakeholder consultation and engagement, and the actions proposed in the attached “Cultivating Food Connections:  Toward a Healthy and Sustainable Food System for Toronto” report.  Toronto Public Health (TPH) is spearheading the project to build a vision and inspire action toward a health-focused food system for the whole city.

The imperative for action to improve the food system is clear.  Toronto faces a range of health, social and environmental problems related to food.  Torontonians told us they are ready for a fresh take on food and want governments to champion creative and effective food solutions.  Through a broad and inclusive consultation and engagement process, input was received from residents, community organizations, business, agriculture, City staff and other levels of government.  The process employed facilitated discussions, workshops, an online discussion forum, digital storytelling and other innovative strategies to capture the voices of communities often underrepresented in consultations.

Some key themes emerged from the consultation process, especially the lack of access to quality food stores, the specific needs of newcomers adjusting to a new food system, and concerns about the lack of basic food skills and the unhealthy diets of children and youth. At the same time, many groups expressed interest in acting on community-based food solutions, including growing and cooking food (for consumption and sale) in their communities, purchasing food from local farmers, starting small food businesses and getting better access to neighbourhood food stores that sell fresh food.

The “Cultivating Food Connections” report urges Toronto to take the next steps to champion a healthy and sustainable food system.  In doing so, the city stands to reap multiple benefits – healthier residents, more vibrant and livable neighbourhoods, stronger and more diverse economic development, better environmental protection, and a growing reputation as a leader in food system renewal.

The report recommends that the City Manager request all City Divisions, Agencies, Boards and Commissions, to identify and implement opportunities to embed food system initiatives in City policies and programs.  It also provides numerous examples of actions that the City of Toronto can take, in active partnership with residents, community organizations and businesses, categorized according to the following six areas:

• Support food friendly neighbourhoods
• Make food a centerpiece of Toronto’s new green economy
• Eliminate hunger in Toronto
• Connect city and countryside through food
• Empower residents with food skills and information
• Urge federal and provincial governments to establish health-focused food policies

The actions are weighted toward those which can leverage existing resources and optimize the use of the City’s already-paid-for assets.

The Toronto Food Strategy project is an ongoing process.  Toronto Public Health will initially coordinate the Food Strategy, including seeking new opportunities to leverage funding and provide support to City staff and the community to implement the actions identified in this report.  The Medical Officer of Health will report periodically on progress to the Board of Health and will report to City Council in early 2011.