From Food Activism From Food Activism to to

Food CitizenshipFood Citizenship

Our AccomplishmentsOur Accomplishments

The People's Food Policy Project The People's Food Policy Project put federal food policy on the put federal food policy on the

political mappolitical map

•60 media hits•2 federal parties’ support•700 pledges signed

We mobilized 3500 citizens to talk about food policy

We produced 10 policy discussion papers that combine people’s vision and values with evidence

• Infused people with hope• Created collaborative space

for farmers, fishers and eaters, for rural and urban folk, for indigenous and non

• Claimed a legitimate space for local food movements in development of national food policy

• Wove diverse perspectives into a pan-Canadian fabric with a federal voice

Our Foundations: Our Foundations: What we built onWhat we built on

Food Secure CanadaFood Secure Canada

The Canadians weredetermined to bringfood sovereignty hometo Canada

Seven pillars of Food SovereigntySeven pillars of Food Sovereignty

1. Food for people

2. Values food providers

3. Localizes the food system

4. Puts control locally

5. Works with Nature

6. Builds knowledge and skills

7. Food is sacred (Canada)

Our Process Our Process How we did itHow we did it

The People's Food Policy Project The People's Food Policy Project developed an approach developed an approach

and methodology that reflects and methodology that reflects the principles of Food Sovereignty the principles of Food Sovereignty

in practicein practice

Canada, like most countries

Has No National Food Policy

________________

Currently food is governed by 5 federal departments, 3 federal agencies and many others at provincial and municipal levels

Phase I: Over 1000 Canadians

contributed to PFP (2009 - 2010)

25 animators hosted 101 Kitchen Table Talks

Painting by Cori Lee Marvin

100 submissions through our exciting and interactive website

Electronic communications and good old-fashioned organizing

• 264 policy submissions collected

• 10 policy writing teams (~40 people) ‘translated’ the submissions into 10 discussion papers

• Policy retreat with 40 PFPPers (Mar. 2010)

Translating Community Knowledge into Policy Asks

10 Policy Discussion Papers10 Policy Discussion Papers

1. Indigenous Food Sovereignty

2. Food Sovereignty in Rural and Remote Communities

3. Access to Food in Urban Communities

4. Agriculture, Infrastructure and Livelihoods

5. A Sustainable Fishery and Reasonable Livelihood for Fishers

6. Environment and Agriculture

7. Science and Technology for Food and Agriculture

8. Food Trade and International Aid

9. Healthy and Safe Food for All

10. Food Democracy and Governance

Phase II: The Cross-country Kitchen Table Talks (2010)

• Broad invitation to ‘host your own’ kitchen table talk

• Teleconference training

• Animators playing key role in local / regional contact

• Prioritization of policies at Food Secure Canada assembly

Phase III – Launch and Advocacy (2011...)

• Policy discussion papers being reworked to reflect kitchen table talk results

• April 2011 - Launch the People’s Food Policy during Federal Election

• Mobilization to keep food on the agenda

Citizen Engagement

“Citizen engagement values the right of citizens to have an informed say in the decisions that affect their lives.”

Handbook on Citizen Engagement: Beyond Consultation

Sheedy et al, 2008

Level of involvement

Flow of Information

Public communication

One way – sponsor to public

Public consultation One way – public to sponsorPublic participation / citizen engagement

Two way – between sponsor and public Adapted from Rowe, et al

What we learnedWhat we learned+ what’s next+ what’s next

Indigenous leadership:

learning respect, understanding history, and taking time to do it right

Walking the talk

People’s Food Policy PrioritiesPeople’s Food Policy Priorities

Ensuring that food is eaten as close as possible to where it is produced.

Supporting food providers in a widespread shift to ecological production in both urban and rural settings, including policies for the entry of new farmers into agriculture.

Enacting a strong federal poverty elimination and prevention program, with measurable targets and timelines, to ensure Canadians can better afford healthy food.

Creating a nationally-funded Children and Food strategy to ensure that all children at all times have access to the food required for healthy lives.

Ensuring that the public, especially the most marginalized, are actively involved in decisions that affect the food system.

peoplesfoodpolicy.capeoplesfoodpolicy.ca

foodsecurecanada.orgfoodsecurecanada.org