What's New
Gathering Call for Proposals! It's time once again to start thinking about the B.C. Food Systems Network Gathering that will take place on September 24, 25 & 26, 2009 in Chehalis. At this time the Gathering Committee is putting a call out for: proposals, workshops, roundtables and discussion topics; potential sources for funding; and general input to the gathering this year. Please read the full Call for Proposals and help us create another great Gathering! As is our tradition, we will gather on the evening of the 24th, have two full days of networking, information exchange, celebration and great food and then we will all return to our respective communities on the 27th. More information on the Gathering will be posted here as it becomes available.
The following items are not new but continue to be of concern and relevance:
New Multi-document Election Toolkit! BC's Provincial Election will take place on May 12th, 2009. The BC Food Systems Network is encouraging members around the Province to look at opportunities to bring food issues to the forefront during the upcoming elections as well as to support the election of "food and agriculture friendly" candidates, that is those who will be working towards a more localized, equitable and sustainable food system. At the Provincial government level many decisions greatly affect our local food systems particularly those about farmland (ALR), farm status and taxation, and health regulation and policy. We need progressive thinking; we need representatives that will show leadership on these important issues. To find out more about the election, your riding and candidates visit: Elections BC. And to read, download and share the Network's Election Toolkit:
- Download the One Page Election Flyer. Includes a brief overview of the issues, what we are asking for and what you can do to help.
- Download Actions and Questions. This document contains 10 Actions and 11 Questions on Food Security to inform your efforts in engaging provincial candidates.
- Download the Food Security Election Primer. The Primer delves into the issues and needs related to food security in greater detail. A great document to help build confidence to engage in the important discussions about how we can all be well fed, now and in the future.
This Toolkit is the result of a collaborative effort amongst Network Members. Special thanks to Wendy Aason, Linda Geggie and David Parkinson for their leadership on this project. Please share this information as widely as you see fit.
The provincial Meat Inspection Regulation threatens small-scale local meat production and consumer access to locally produced, farm-gate meat. As of September 30, 2007, we are no longer able to purchase meat or poultry from our local farmers unless it was processed in a provincially or federally licensed facility. Bringing currently operating unlicensed facilities up to the new standards for licensing is not feasible for most operators. They will not be able to upgrade their facilities, leaving very few, if any, licensed, facilities able to process custom meat, fixed or mobile. Many will be forced out of business, as will the farmers and ranchers that depend on them, the feed and farm equipment suppliers and value added processors that utilize their products.
If this is of concern to you, we encourage you to take a few (or many!) minutes to learn more: read the BC Food Systems Network's Statement on the Regulation submitted to the Premier and all relevant Ministers; download our Action Toolkit; and read our Statement on the Regulation submitted to government in 2004. Please share this information as widely as you see fit.
