Item - 2011.HL4.2
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Board of Health on May 9, 2011 and was adopted with amendments.
HL4.2 - Toronto Food Strategy: 2011 Update
- Decision Type:
- Information
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Decision
The Board of Health:
1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health:
a. to continue to work with City Divisions to implement enabling policies for food initiatives, including community bake ovens, fresh food markets, and access to community kitchens;
b. to report to the Board of Health on implementing rules to enable private home and community gardeners to sell the fresh produce they grow within their community;
c. in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to report back to the Board of Health on the development of a policy governing the construction and usage of community bake ovens;
d. in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and with community stakeholders, to report back to the Board of Health on the development of policies that would support urban fruit trees and orchards; and
e. to work with relevant City agencies to extend the Community Food Skills and Employability Pilot.
2. Requested the Chair of the Board of Health to meet with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, regarding community food-related access to Parks, Recreation and Forestry parks and facilities, to attempt to reduce barriers to community access.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation to the Board of Health on Food Initiatives which provided an overview of Items HL4.2, HL4.3, HL4.4, HL4.5 and HL.4.6 on the agenda.
Origin
Summary
This report provides an update on the Toronto Food Strategy and an overview of some of the key initiatives emerging from the work. Since the release of the June 2010 “Cultivating Food Connections” report, staff have been leading, facilitating and supporting the implementation of numerous food initiatives. The report's six priority areas and proposed actions have served as important guidance for priority setting. Much of the effort has focused on mapping access to healthy food across Toronto and a community food skills and employability pilot. The Food Strategy will continue to pursue activities based on the vision laid out in the "Cultivating Food Connections" report, but also those inspired and informed by ongoing engagement with residents, community organizations and City staff.
The governance of the Food Strategy is through the Board of Health (BOH). Alongside it, the Toronto Food Policy Council is well placed to serve as the Strategy's Community Reference Group, acting as a hub for community input into the overall evolution and implementation of the strategy. A Board of Health working group could provide support and advice during the year. The Medical Officer of Health will report back to the Board annually on the progress of the Food Strategy.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-37680.pdf
(May 6, 2011) Presentation from the Medical Officer of Health on Food Initiatives
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-37941.pdf
Communications
(May 9, 2011) Letter from Shosh Brenner (HL.New.HL4.2.2)
(May 9, 2011) Submission from Peter Mitchell, Coordinator, World Crops Research Program, The Stop and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (HL.New.HL4.2.3)
(May 9, 2011) Submission from Laura Reinsborough, Founder and Director, Not Far From The Tree (HL.New.HL4.2.4)
Speakers
Sabina Ali, Project Coordinator, Thorncliffe Park Women's Committee
Mona Ismael, Community Development Co-ordinator, U for Change
Violetta Cardella, Volunteer, Stonegate
Jutta Mason, Administrator, Centre for Local Research Into Public Space (Submission Filed)
Bryan Peart, Community Arimator, Working Women ANC (Submission Filed)
Peter Mitchell, Research Associate, University of Guelph/The STOP Community Food Centre (Submission Filed)
Laura Reinsborough, Founder and Director, Not Far From the Tree (Submission Filed)
Moiz Haq, Advocate, Toronto Urban Growers
Len Mirander, Co-ordinator, Lorna One Love Garden
Motions
That the Board of Health request the Chair of the Board of Health to meet with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, regarding community food-related access to Parks, Recreation and Forestry parks and facilities, to attempt to reduce barriers to community access.
That the Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to:
a. continue to work with City Divisions to implement enabling policies for food initiatives, including community bake ovens, fresh food markets, and access to community kitchens;
b. report to the Board of Health on implementing rules to enable private home and community gardeners to sell the fresh produce they grow within their community;
c. in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, report back to the Board of Health on the development of a policy governing the construction and usage of community bake ovens; and
d. in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and with community stakeholders, report back to the Board of Health on the development of policies that would support urban fruit trees and orchards.
That the Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to work with relevant City agencies to extend the Community Food Skills and Employability Pilot.