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APPI 2013 Award for Planning Excellence and Merit Submission: Comprehensive and Policy Plan
May 22, 2013
Food R. Agriculture Strategy
Sustainable Development
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By the City of Edmonton
••
APPI
Alberta Professional Planners Institute
AWARDS for PLANNING EXCELLENCE and MERIT
Deadline - 3:30pnn May 22, 2013 Entry FORM Application Title of Entry/Plan/Project: Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture Category:
Comprehensive and Policy Plans
Municipality/Organization Project Completed for:
The City of Edmonton
Principal Consulting Firm (if applicable): HB Lanarc Contact Person: Mayja Embleton Submitting the entry/plan/project Address:
City of Edmonton, Sustainable Development 6th Floor HSBC Bank Place 10250-101 Street Edmonton Alberta, T5J 3P4
E-mail: mayja.ennbletoraedmonton.ca
Fax: 780-401-7066
Phone (bus) 780-944-0124 Certificate Information
Municipality or organization
Principal Consulting Firm (if applicable)
State the number of certificates that will be required if the submission receives an award. 10
The City of Edmonton
HB Lanarc
NOTE:
Certificates will no longer be personalized with the names of individuals who contributed to the project but rather the Municipality or organization which initiated the project and the principal consulting firm (if applicable) Two framed Certificates will be provided to the winners. By means of this signed form you agree to submit the following material and/or information. Incomplete submissions will not be considered by the Awards Committee. Materials/Information Required ONLY when Notified of Winning an Award Two photos in electronic format that depict the project Short power point presentation with voice over (3 minute max) Short written summary for a news release, Planning Journal, etc
Deadline August 23, 2013
APPI Office will contact the Winners and request these items at that time
Entry prepared by or y, der th direction of (must be a Member or Candidate of APPI in good standing):
Name of Mem .er Signature:
se Pri
er Ohm
if
1/ Phone No. 780-496-6215 E-mail Peter.ohnn@edmonton.ca
PO Box 596 • Edmonton, Alberta • T5J 2K8
Toll Free: 1-888-286-8716 • Phone: 780-435-8716 • Fax: 780-452-7718 Web: www.albertaplanners.com • Email: admin@albertaplanners.com
Cover letter from Peter Ohm
Summary & Evaluation Criteria
Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture
Letters of Support Mayor Stephen Mandel & Centre of Public Involvement
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
Engagement Samples Posters from Three Public Events Copies of the Food Blog
C ver letter from Peter Ohm
Summary Rt Evafivation Criteria
Edmonton's fresh Approach to Ustan Agrkm Due
Letters of Support Mayor Stephen Mandel & Centre of Public Involvement
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
Engagement Samples Posters from Three Public Events Copies of the Food Blog
THE CITY OF
monton
(d
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
May 20, 2013
MAILING ADDRESS: 5TH FLOOR, 10250- 101 STREET NW EDMONTON, ALBERTA T5J 3P4
Ref: 104410976-025
Erin O'Neill Alberta Professional Planners Institute #205, 10940- 166A Street Edmonton AB T5P 3V5 Dear Ms. O'Neill: I am pleased to submit fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy for consideration for the Alberta Professional Planners Institute 2013 Awards for Planning Excellence and Merit in the category of Comprehensive and Policy Plans. As one of only a handful of municipal food policy strategies in Canada, fresh is an outstanding planning document that exemplifies an innovative approach to food and urban agriculture in the context of building resilient cities. It is a long term visionary strategy that addresses a comprehensive set of food and urban agriculture issues that affect all areas of city life in Edmonton, from built form to ecological systems, from the urban core to the pen-urban fringes, and from economic opportunities to quality of life. fresh contains five overarching Goals, nine Strategic Directions and a multitude of Recommendations which touch every aspect of food systems planning in Edmonton. Food system planning has emerged as a relatively new professional specialization in Canada. As such, fresh represents a progressive and creative document that will push the profession in terms of new approaches to community and resource planning. fresh was created with an unprecedented amount of stakeholder consultation and public engagement. Over 3000 individuals participated in the consultation process, representing many diverse interests and organizations. The process included: An advisory committee of 15 members, representing key stakeholder groups and organizations, helped guide and advise the project team throughout the process. • Two rounds of stakeholder focus groups were held to help refine the direction and content of the policy development. 41 A conference was hosted to facilitate public and expert dialogue on issues related to the development of the strategy. • A unique and innovative citizen panel was undertaken to allow for a rigorous method of gathering citizen input. The citizen panel involved 66 randomly selected individuals, approximately representative of Edmonton's overall demographics. These citizens met over the course of five weeks and six sessions to deliberate on important food and urban agriculture issues. The process was the subject of a research team at the University of Alberta. A report with recommendations was produced from the deliberations. • Interviews were held with City Councillors to gain their insights. •
.../2
-2• • •
•
A landowner survey was administered to help understand the concerns and desires of citizens that owned agricultural land within the city. Public opinion surveys were used to gather feedback from citizens. An ongoing virtual presence was maintained throughout the project to engage the public and keep the dialogue alive, including updates to the project website, regular email updates to a contact list of over 1000 people, an active and lively blog, and a strong social media presence using Twitter and Facebook. Public open houses were hosted to highlight the final draft of fresh and provide participants with one final review opportunity.
The professional expertise assembled to deliver fresh was unparalleled. • The project team consisted of up to seven city staff members. • HB Lanarc-Golder was hired as the key project consultants for their considerable experience with food systems. • The citizen panel was designed and delivered in partnership with the Centre for Public of Involvement at the University of Alberta. • The conference was organized by an expert conference planning consultant. • Research and evaluation professionals were brought on from the University of Alberta to ensure excellence in survey design and delivery. • A highly skilled facilitator was hired to support the advisory committee. • fresh received the benefit of a professional writer and graphic designer. As evidence of its immediate effectiveness and impact, an implementation plan for fresh was approved by City Council on April 29, 2013. Subsequently, the formation of an Edmonton Food Council, one of the key Recommendations in fresh, will commence immediately and will likely by complete by this summer. Three other Recommendations have already been completed and at least six others are already underway. All eligibility requirements for this award are met by fresh: 1. It was prepared under the direction of an APPI member in good standing. 2. It applies to a municipality in Alberta. 3. It was adopted by Edmonton's City Council on November 14th, 2012. 4. It is being submitted only under the Comprehensive and Policy Plan category. Finally, fresh was developed under my direction, and I am an APPI member in good standing. The Senior Planner for the project, Larry Retzlaff, is also an APPI member. The primary consultants for HB Lanarc-Golder, Robert Barrs and Janine de la Salle, are PIBC an nnbers. You truly,
Peer s , RPP, MCIP Branch Manager Urban Planning and Environment
Cover letter from Peter Ohm
Summary & Evaluation Criteria
Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture
Letters of Support Mayor Stephen Mandel & Centre of Public Involvement
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
Engagement Samples Posters from Three Public Events Copies of the Food Blog
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Summar fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy is an opportunity to explore new approaches
to food and urban agriculture that can make Edmonton an even better city. It is a realistic strategy that positions Edmonton as a municipal leader in developing a sustainable and resilient food system. fresh was developed through a thorough process of research, an advisory committee, comprehensive
stakeholder consultation and extensive public involvement. Five overarching goals were created as a framework for the document. These goals are: 1.
A stronger, more vibrant local economy
2.
A healthier, more food secure community
3.
Healthier ecosystems
4.
Less energy, emissions and waste
5.
More vibrant, attractive and unique places
From these Goals, nine Strategic Directions were developed. Each of the Strategic Directions has multiple recommendations to help realize the Goals and which take advantage of the relationships, assets and opportunities that exist in Edmonton. The Strategic Directions are: 1.
Establish the Edmonton Food Council
2.
Provide Food Skill Education and Information
3.
Expand Urban Agriculture
4.
Develop Local Food Infrastructure Capacity
5.
Grow Local Food Supply and Demand
6.
Enliven the Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities
7.
Treat Food Waste as a Resource
8.
Support Urban Farmers and Ecological Approaches to Farming
9.
Integrate Land Use for Agriculture
fresh is a forward looking, high level policy intended to help set direction for food and urban agriculture
planning in Edmonton. Evaluation Criteria Excellent Process fresh had a comprehensive and extensive planning process. It began with the acknowledgement of a
gap in existing municipal policy. Food and urban agriculture have not historically been addressed in municipal policy documents but in 2010 the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), The Way We Grow, included a chapter on the importance of food and urban agriculture. A vision was identified in the MDP-
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Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture! p. 1
"Edmonton has a resilient food and agriculture system that contributes to the local economy and the overall cultural, financial, social and environmental sustain ability of the city". From this, the Food and Urban Agriculture Project was created and, ultimately, fresh was developed. The Food and Urban Agriculture Project employed multiple streams of information to develop the final document. It included a review of existing policies in other jurisdictions and research into best practices, a report on the local food opportunities and an Agricultural Inventory and Assessment. The Project also included an intricate and thorough stakeholder consultation and public engagement process. This included: • •
• • •
• • •
The creation of an advisory committee to guide and steer the work. A series of stakeholder focus groups. Interviews with City Councilors. An innovative six week long citizen panel. Broad based public engagement using a website, blogs, other social media Food in the City Conference. Two separate public opinion surveys and a landowner survey. Public open houses.
The project team enlisted the help of a number of consultants. HB Lanarc-Golder, a leader in food and agriculture policy development, was hired for their expertise in food systems planning. HB LanarcGolder was instrumental in the research and the creation of several key documents, including a Local Food Opportunities Report, an Example Practices Guide and an Agricultural Inventory and Assessment. The Strategy has far reaching implications for many City departments. An implementation plan was approved by City Council in April 2013, and the project team is currently in the process of building those relationships and establishing the Edmonton Food Council.
Original & Innovative Strategy Other municipal food policies often have a public health and food security focus. In fresh there is a more comprehensive exploration of opportunities across the entire food system, including recognition of the importance of food system planning within an urban context, making Edmonton one of Canada's leaders in addressing food and urban agriculture from a more holistic and integrated approach. The nine Strategic Directions and associated Recommendations contained within fresh act as a starting point to explore and encourage partnerships and innovation between the public and private sectors. Opportunities are based upon the existing strengths and assets that already exist within the vibrant food and urban agriculture scene in Edmonton.
Transferability Although fresh was developed with a strong Edmonton connection, we believe that the Strategy has compelling applications for municipalities that are interested in incorporating food and urban agriculture into their planning processes. All of the Strategic Directions point to important potential areas of work and investigation for any municipality and would be relatively easy to adapt to the specific needs of other cities. Beyond content, however, is the transferable value and lessons learnt from utilizing a comprehensive and thorough consultation and public engagement process. Most offresh was developed using the
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Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture / p. 2
results and findings from the input and conversations with stakeholders and citizens. No food and urban agriculture policy would be relevant or useful without the valuable engagement of those already active and involved in the food system. The process would be directly applicable to other municipalities looking to develop similar food policies. The transferability of the work done is evidenced by the numerous requests already received by the project team to share information on fresh and the process used.
Excellent Results fresh was adopted by City Council on November 14th, 2012. An implementation plan and terms of reference for an Edmonton Food Council were approved by City Council's Executive Committee on April --th Z9 , 2013. Subsequently, the formation of the Edmonton Food Council, one of the key recommendations in fresh, will commence immediately. Three other recommendations have already - been completed and at least six others are underway. The Strategic Directions in fresh aim to be practical, with a focus on leveraging existing initiatives and developing important relationships with community partners to ensure ongoing and continued stakeholder support for the implementation offresh. As stated in the plan, food and urban agriculture policy touches many aspects of urban life and is therefore complex. The nature of the challenges in this important work cannot be undertaken without collaborative efforts and constant relationship building. With fresh, there has been a demonstrated commitment by the City of Edmonton and its various partners from across the food system to take action and make a difference.
Significant Policy The importance offresh stems from its roots in Edmonton's Municipal Development Plan, The Way We Grow, which is a statutory document. It is a rare occurrence to find food and agriculture policy in statutory documents at the municipal level. Furthermore, food has found its way into at least two other strategic plans for Edmonton The Way We Green and The Way We Live, the environmental plan and the people plan, respectively. This highlights the significance offresh as a progressive planning document that pushes the approach to municipal planning beyond planning for land uses and infrastructure, to planning for people and for quality of life. Food and urban agriculture are often overlooked as planning tools, despite their critical importance to city and community building, and in Edmonton food and urban agriculture were integrated into existing social and land use planning processes. The potential for improving the lives of Edmontonians how we work, live, play and invest is tremendous.
Excellent Presentation As previously stated, fresh seeks to understand the challenges and issues of food and urban agriculture from a holistic and systems perspective, acknowledging the reality of food cycles. Simultaneously, fresh overlays the urban landscape with the Strategic Directions so readers can understand how the plan addresses the real components of the food system and of Edmonton. Finally, the Vision, Goals, Objectives and Strategic Directions are outlined in a graphic so that the logic and flow of the document can be clearly understood. The complexity of the issues is captured without creating a very large document that would be difficult to understand. All supporting documents are referenced and can be found on the project's website, so the document is concise yet thorough. Context and process were included given their relative importance, and the Recommendations are written, as much as possible, to be clear and implementable actions.
@itionton
Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture / p. 3
Cover letter from Peter Ohm
Summary & Evaluation Criteria
Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture
Letters of Support Mayor Stephen Mandel & Centre of Public Involvement
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
Engagement Samples Posters from Three Public Events Copies of the Food Blog
MAYOR STEPHEN MANDEL CITY OF EDMONTON
2nd FLOOR, CITY HALL 1 SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL SQUARE EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA T5J 2R7 PHONE (780) 496-8100 FAX (780) 496-8292 EMAIL stephen.mandel@edmonton.ca
May 13, 2013 Ms. Erin O'Neill Alberta Professional Planners Institute #205, 10940- 166A Street Edmonton, Alberta T5P 3V5 Dear Ms. O'Neill, I am pleased to endorse the City of Edmonton's submission of Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture to the Alberta Professional Planners Institute 2013 Awards for Planning Excellence and Merit. City Council adopted fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy in November of 2012, representing a significant step forward in food systems planning for Edmonton. It is a strategy that provides a long term vision for communities in Edmonton and which will have positives effects on the local food economy and the health of citizens and the environment for years to come. Edmonton is proud to be a leader as one of the few Canadian cities that has undertaken the difficult work of creating a strategy for food and urban agriculture planning. Food systems planning is complex, and there are divergent views on these topics that are not always easy to reconcile. However, this strategy demonstrates an understanding of the balance needed to manage the issues associated with building resilient cities and food systems. By demonstrating the value of rigorous stakeholder and public engagement, fresh exemplifies planning excellence that serves the public interest. The strong focus on collaboration and partnership will ultimately result in successful long range outcomes and lasting change that benefit all Edmontonians. I believe fresh merits recognition and I support the City of Edmonton's submission to the Alberta Professional Planners Institute Awards Committee. Yours truly, Ota( " Stephen Mandel Mayor
6
Centre for
Public Involvement Cp..„ Centre for Public Involvement L-016 Enterprise Square, 10230 Jasper Avenue NW Edmonton, Alberta T5J 386
Dear Ms. ONeill, Award Committee Chair, I am writing this letter in support of the application from the City of Edmonton, Sustainable Development for the Alberta Professional Planners Institute Award for Planning Excellence and Merit. The Centre for Public Involvement worked with the City of Edmonton in the spring of 2012 to design and develop an innovative process to involve citizens in policy making about food and urban agriculture. Key objectives of the City were to test a new way of conducting citizen involvement that would not solely involve the "usual suspects" and that would provide a potential model to be used in other policy decisions within the City or other municipal governments. The City wanted to involve as diverse a group of Edmontonians as possible and provide meaningful opportunities for them to learn about key food and urban agricultural issues and be supported to develop comprehensive recommendations for the City, to use in the creation of fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy The City co-designed and implemented a Citizens Panel on Food and Urban Agriculture with the Centre for Public Involvement. This was the second one ever used in the City of Edmonton. The Citizens Panel on Food and Urban Agriculture brought together a group of 66 citizens; a 30 member project team that included professional researchers, graduate students, volunteers and videographers and a lead facilitator who was responsible for overall process design. The 66 citizens were selected through random and targeted outreach to ensure that the composition reflected the demographic diversity of Edmonton. Additional effort and time was spent to ensure there were members of the panel who are often hard to reach or excluded from decision making such as youth, new immigrants, individuals with low incomes, and households with children. Citizen panelists were also supported through a rigorous learning process and provided an Issue and Best Practices Guide for this. The Citizens Panel also involved extensive small group deliberation and individual voting to reach a set of overall recommendations. Some key elements of this project were: •
Inclusion: The process was designed to ensure that the diversity of the City of Edmonton's population was present in the Citizens panel and this was achieved through a rigorous methodology for recruitment. In addition, translators were hired and supports provided to assist some participants with effective participation over the entire process.
•
Innovation and testing of a new model for citizen involvement: The Citizens Panel provides a new model for citizen involvement that could be used in other complex or contentious policy decisions. The City team committed time and resources to advance the field of citizen involvement.
@THE CITY OF l
MOft
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oco
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UNIVERSITY OF
A._,BERTA
•
Centre for
Public Involvement Centre for Public Involvement L-016 Enterprise Square, 10230 Jasper Avenue NW Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3B6
•
Documentation and learning for future use: A set of short videos were completed as a part of the project so that the process could be shared with the broader public to build support and understanding about key issues being discussed by citizens. They were also created to be used as tools to share learning about the Citizens Panel model and the overall process with other planners. These can be viewed by searching youtube.com for "Edmonton + Citizen Panel + Food" or by going to http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL12864E019D8B76EB
•
Research and knowledge dissemination: Research was undertaken in the project to examine the impact of the process on citizens and the policy making. For example, City team members are continuing to contribute to the research process and are doing one on one interviews with the Centre so that key lessons learned from the project can be captured and disseminated broadly through a discussion paper using the panel as a case study. The City team also partnered with researchers to develop an online survey to ensure that it was balanced, rigorous, and arms length. This survey was open to the general public and 2276 unique responses were submitted.
About the Centre The Centre for Public Involvement (CPI) is a unique partnership between the City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta. It was recently established in response to a demonstrated and recognized need for decisionmakers and the public to actively seek, consider, and apply the most effective means for public involvement. The work of the Centre combines scholarship, policy, and practice for the purpose of developing innovative approaches to public involvement. The Centre provides opportunities for government, community, and academia to collaboratively examine and test public involvement methods.
I hope that you consider the application of the City of Edmonton and please contact me if you have further questions or need additional information Sincerely,
lona CaL in _a
mon r n
elTHE CITY OF
t
t: io
UNIVERSITY OF
ALBERTA
Cover letter from Peter Ohm
Summary & Evaluation Criteria
Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture
Letters of Support Mayor Stephen Mandel & Centre of Public Involvement
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
Engagement Samples Posters from Three Public Events Copies of the Food Blog
EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY I OCTOBER 2012
table of contents
FOREWORD: A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
11
EDMONTON 2012: OUR FOOD AND URBAN AGRICULTURE REALITY
1
BUILDING A STRATEGY THAT MATTERS
5
Planning for Resilient Local Food Systems 2.2 What is Meant by Local?
6
2.1
7
HOW FRESH WAS DEVELOPED
11
3.1 Public Consultation and Engagement 3.2 Aligning with Key City Plans
12
14
FOOD SYSTEMS AND FRAMEWORKS
17
4.1 The Elements of a Food System 4.2 Strategy Frameworks
18 19
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
25
5.1 Establish the Edmonton Food Council 5.2 Provide Food Skill Education and Information 5.3 Expand Urban Agriculture 5.4 Develop Local Food Infrastructure Capacity 5.5 Grow Local Food Supply and Demand 5.6 Enliven the Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities 5.7 Treat Food Waste as a Resource 5.8 Support Urban Farmers and Ecological Approaches to Farming 5.9 Integrate Land for Agriculture
27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 50
ENACTING THE STRATEGY
59
6.1 Engaging Stakeholders and Potential Partners 6.2 Oversight: Is It Working? 6.3 What Success Will Look Like
60 61 62
CONCLUSION: EDMONTON'S FOOD AND URBAN AGRICULTURE FUTURE 7.1 Conclusion: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Future
APPENDICES Appendix 1: Glossary Appendix 2: Mechanisms Appendix 3: Alignment with The Ways Appendix 4: Example Metrics Appendix 5: Links To Consultation Acknowledgements
64 64
66 72 78 74 81 82 85
• Foreword: A Note from the Chair The Food and Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee I chaired for close to the last year was made up of fourteen citizens from different parts of Edmonton and with different interests in the food and agriculture sector. As Chair I want to personally thank the members of the Advisory Committee for their hard work, their dedication and, most of all, the incredible degree of respect shown in every meeting. It was a great learning experience for us, but it was also made pleasant by the regard each member showed for the rest. The Advisory Committee members were:
•
Angus Watt I Angus Watt Advisory Group
Janet Riopel I Walton Development and Management
Areni Kelleppan I Sustainable Food Edmonton
Jerry Bouma I Toma & Bouma Management Consultants
Candace Vanin I Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Jessie Radies I Live Local and Blue Pear Restaurant
Ken Gossen I Food Processing Development Centre
David Gibbens I Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
Debbie Hubbard I Greater Edmonton Alliance
Lisa Jirnmo I Horse Hill Community League
Dieter Kuhlmann I Kuhlmann's Market Gardens
Mary Beckie I Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta
Henk ten Wolde I Alberta Netherlands Trade Office
Susan Roberts I Growing Food Security in Alberta
Some of us are farmers, some of us are developers, some of us are academics, some of us are community organizers; but one thing that was clear from the first meeting was that no matter what our backgrounds were, we all shared one common passion and purpose—to make Edmonton's food system better. And over the course of the last year, despite different backgrounds and points of view, we worked hard to achieve that common goal. It wasn't always easy; when you get fourteen smart and dedicated people in the same room you'll have differences of opinion. But those discussions were what pushed us to try and do something special and something new. We hope we managed that. I also have to thank the fantastic level of support we got from the City's administrative staff. They put in a massive amount of work, both in organizing our meetings and in doing the research, and for that I am personally thankful. Lastly, I know I speak for every Advisory Committee member when I thank the citizens of Edmonton who participated in this process with us. We could not have gotten close to producing the Strategy we did without their incredible insight, ideas and enthusiasm, through the Citizen Panels, the surveys, the conference and the online activity. Creating fresh has been quite the ride, but it's been worth it, because we produced a Strategy that asks Edmontonians to imagine a city in which our food and urban agriculture landscape is more vibrant and resilient at every level. We think it's possible, we think it's exciting, and we can't wait to start working with you to make it happen.
•
Aaron Falkenberg, Chair Food and Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee SEPTEMBER 2012
TI
ECUTIVE
Municipal governments have begun to recognize the enormous opportunity provided by a more thoughtful consideration of food and its relationship to local community development. They are recognizing the importance of food and urban agriculture as an opportunity to increase the sustainability and quality-of-life of their communities, as well as a means for economic development. fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy, is a result of that consideration and it imagines how new approaches to food and urban agriculture can make Edmonton an even better place to live, work, play and invest. We are a rapidly growing city in a growing region. As we welcome more people, there is increased demand and pressure, in terms of services, jobs, land, infrastructure and other resources. Our strategic planning must make sense within our local, regional and provincial contexts and our approaches to how we grow and use land must balance different and divergent needs, values and pressures. When the City of Edmonton embarked upon developing the Strategy, it was clear that a significant public consultation and dialogue would be necessary and valuable. Over 3000 Edmontonians participated in one way or another in our consultation process and stakeholders from many diverse areas of urban agriculture shared their views and opinions. It was also understood early on that Edmonton's food system is complex, but that the Strategy should focus on the local level, on Edmonton and what Edmonton can influence. This meant the strategy needed to integrate into existing City plans, priorities and budgets.
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Agriculture Strategy, was developed by an Advisory Committee comprised of 15 stakeholders and experts in agriculture, food systems, economic, community and land development, and supported by project consultants and City staff.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Using the food system as a guide, the Advisory Committee identified five Goals that would serve as a foundation for the Strategy. These are: O A stronger, more vibrant local economy 0 Less energy, emissions and waste o A healthier, more food secure community More vibrant, attractive and unique places o Healthier ecosystems In
Next, the Advisory Committee developed nine Strategic Directions, which form the basis of action for the entire Strategy. The Strategic Directions are: C) Establish the Edmonton Food Council C) Provide Food Skill Education and Information C) Expand Urban Agriculture
C) Enliven the Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities C) Treat Food Waste as a Resource
(I) Develop Local Food Infrastructure Capacity
C) Support Urban Farmers and Ecological Approaches to Farming
C) Grow Local Food Supply and Demand
C) Integrate Land Use for Agriculture
Each of the Strategic Directions contains several Recommendations. These Recommendations will help to realize the Vision and Goals, taking advantage of the strong relationships, assets and opportunities that already exist in Edmonton. Future adoption and implementation of the Recommendations will position the City of Edmonton to become a leader in municipal food and urban agriculture initiatives. fresh is not an endpoint, but a starting point. With that in mind, the Strategy does not provide a detailed implementation plan but rather sets directions for moving forward. Implementation will occur over time as the Edmonton Food Council is established, partnerships are formed, research is continued, resources are allocated and progress builds towards results. We have seen throughout the development of fresh that Edmontonians possess an enormous amount of enthusiasm and passion for this issue. Success will depend in large part on whether fresh manages to engage Edmontonians. Citizens will need to be included in the process and stakeholders should continue to be consulted. The City of Edmonton can also expect to forge partnerships with many stakeholders, in both the private sector and public sector. Certainly, all partners and stakeholders will be encouraged to enter into the implementation of the Strategy understanding that it carries expectations and responsibilities. We also know what success will look like by the stories that are told. We'll know fresh is working if our citizens tell us they have good access to local foods, if we see prime farmland has been protected, if people who work in the local food sector are succeeding, if farmers' markets and neighbourhood food activities are vibrant, if the great diversity of our culture is represented in the foods we buy, cook and eat and if our new neighbourhoods grow and evolve in harmony with a strong food and urban agriculture heritage. This is what success will look like.
EDMONTON 2012: OUR FOOD AND URBAN AGRICULTURE REALITY
•
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Given all this, Edmonton has an opportunity to consider the role of food and urban agriculture in its economy and in the lives of its citizens. We have a long history of food production and we are a major urban centre with some world class players in the food sector. Edmonton also has an emerging food culture —from small local producers at farmers' markets to successful large commercial
Edmonton is fortunate to sit at the
farms, from food trucks offering diverse and delicious
intersection of many important and
meals to unique high-end restaurants. Yet how often do
dynamic opportunities in today's world.
and the degree to which local knowledge, expertise and
we really stop to consider where our food comes from enthusiasm can further build our local food and urban
We have a strong economy with sound
agriculture system? What part do we play - as individuals,
forecasts for growth. We are at the center
as a community and as businesses - in the growing,
of a region that is competing in some of
processing, transporting, selling, waste management, and education about the food we eat? What truly are the
the world's leading industries, including
possibilities and responsibilities for Edmonton in fostering
agriculture. We have access to ample
this local food system? All of these questions pertain to
water and fertile land that surrounds
on the elements of a food system is provided on page 18.
us. And we can boast of a population
fresh provides a singular opportunity to imagine how
that combines a pioneer spirit with
new approaches to food and urban agriculture can make
the interrelatedness of the food system. More information
unstoppable innovation.
Edmonton an even better place to live, work, play and invest. It is no exaggeration to say that food matters to each of us every day, in terms of health and community, but we also need to consider how to make our city a more innovative and dynamic food and urban agriculture setting as we move into the future. Cities across North America are considering the development of plans that will affect the role and scale of their local food and urban agriculture sectors. Edmonton has the potential to be a leader among these cities by creating and implementing a food and urban agriculture strategy based on research, citizen input and stakeholder expertise in both the food system and Edmonton's context. We believe fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy is realistic and positions Edmonton to develop a sustainable and resilient food system at every level, from community gardens to greenhouses to large
SECTION 1 • EDMONTON 2012: OUR FOOD AND URBAN AGRICULTURE REALITY
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Please refer to the Glossary in Appendix 1 for any terms that . re unfamiliar. _
agrees that there are vital connections and relationships between the emerging local food system and the regional, national and international food industry based here, and that they are complementary and interwoven. However, addressing the issues of the larger commercial food
export producers, from farmers' markets to an array of
sector would be far beyond the scope and ability of this
food retail options to compelling celebrations of local food
Advisory Committee. Any effort to seize the opportunities
in a variety of venues and settings.
presented by the larger commercial food sector will be
Like any worthwhile endeavour, however, there will be challenges. We face certain realities in Edmonton. We are a rapidly growing city in a growing region. Inevitably, as we welcome more people, there is increased demand and pressure in terms of services, jobs, land, infrastructure and other resources. Our strategic short to long-term planning
valuable to the emerging local food sector and to all of Edmonton in terms of economic development. However, those efforts are best left to appropriate bodies such as economic development organizations and the Capital Region. We encourage the pursuit of an agri-food strategy for Edmonton's commercial food industry.
must also make sense within our local, regional and
As the Advisory Committee worked through the
provincial contexts, and our approaches to how we grow
development of fresh, it faced some fundamental
and use land must balance different and divergent needs,
questions, not all of which this Strategy, or a multi-
values and pressures. We believe thoughtful guidance
stakeholder committee, could address. Our city must
and advice can help decision-makers determine how
decide on issues for which there is little agreement. Often
best to integrate and leverage food and urban agriculture
there is no existing information or research available that
opportunities for Edmonton's future success.
would help frame the answers properly. Because of this,
This is an important moment in Edmonton's evolution as
fresh does not mark the endpoint of a process, but the
a city. It is important to think ahead, to envision a stronger Edmonton at every level. This means thinking seriously, on an ongoing basis, about the future of food and urban agriculture in our city. The Vision, five broad Goals, nine Strategic Directions and supporting Recommendations in fresh are all reflective of extensive consultations and the expertise, interest and commitment already here in Edmonton. What this strategy addresses is a local food system in Edmonton; it does not address the larger commercial food industry centered here. Food systems are defined by the geographic, political, economic, environmental and social contexts in which they exist. A local food system has a shorter supply chain across which production, processing, distribution and consumption are locally focused. The Advisory Committee
starting point. The process of realizing this Strategy should never be complete. This Strategy will evolve over many years as we reinforce and build on ongoing successes. Looking forward, with the right mix of determination, innovation and collaboration, we can transition Edmonton from a good food city to a great food city.
BUILDING A STRATEGY THAT MATTERS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
2.1 Planning for Resilient Local Food Systems Food and urban agriculture have not always been the most
The various components of a food system including food
pressing concern for municipal governments which have
production, processing, distribution, consumption and
traditionally focussed on more familiar and often seemingly
waste management are related to many other planning
more urgent issues, like roads, infrastructure, water, waste
issues with which municipalities grapple. For example, the
management and managing land development. Edmonton
food system impacts and is impacted by land use, urban
has not been markedly different in this regard. However,
design, transportation, economic development, waste
municipal governments across the continent have begun
management, the cost of living, the environment and the
to recognize the enormous opportunity provided by a
health of the population.
more thoughtful consideration of food and its relationship to local community development. They are recognizing food and urban agriculture as an opportunity to increase the sustainability and quality-of-life of their communities and as a critical lever for achieving many other civic goals
Critical points identified when developing the Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy include: o
commercial businesses, local enterprise development, agri-tourism)
and objectives. Ever-increasing issues around environmental, social and
o
Infrastructure (value-added processing, storage and distribution centres, road and rail networks)
o
Growth planning coordination (urban boundaries, densification, farm/urban edge integration)
O
Land use (zoning for food and urban agriculture activities)
o
Housing (community amenities and housing design for cooking and growing food)
o
Municipal operations (food procurement, demonstration kitchens and gardens)
o
Transportation (food distribution, warehousing, walkable and transit-oriented food amenities)
O
Parks and open space (food festivals, farmers' markets, community gardens and urban farms)
O
Waste systems (infrastructure for food waste reduction, composting)
o
Education and community resources (workshops, partnerships, organizational and institutional development)
economic sustainability are leading municipal governments to think more creatively about how to address community resilience and livability in relation to food and urban agriculture. In response to these trends, and to the clear voices of Ednnontonians committed to food issues, the City of Edmonton, through The Way We Grow and other municipal plans, has recognized food and urban agriculture as a factor to be considered in its future planning and community development. Municipalities can also capitalize on opportunities by taking an integrated planning approach that brings together different systems (including infrastructure, food and agriculture, energy and buildings) performing different but complementary functions. There is certainly this potential in Edmonton, and highly integrated planning will be necessary to meet the Vision and Goals of fresh.
SECTION 2 • BUILDING A STRATEGY THAT MATTERS
Economic development (ensuring viable
AWOL EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
2.2 What is Meant by Local? In terms of the scope and scale of this Strategy, the focus
To better understand the relative geographic dimension of
of the Recommendations is at the local level and on what
the term "local", it is worth noting that Alberta Agriculture
the City of Edmonton can achieve within its jurisdiction
and Rural Development would consider all of Alberta as
together with a range of public, private and community
local. Another metric based purely on distance, offered by
partnerships. However, to fully understand local food
the US Congress in the 2008 Farm Act, would be 600km.
systems, it is necessary to present the definition of "local"
This distance would be approximately the distance
along a spectrum from most local to least local. There are
between Edmonton and Medicine Hat, Saskatoon, or
several elements that must be considered together to
Nelson, B.C. However, as noted above, there are multiple
determine what is and is not local. Figure captures the
important factors when considering what is local, and
relevant impacts of the shades of local, which include:
the concept must be flexible to adequately encompass
o
0
Ownership and/or location of headquarters for food
Edmonton's emerging local food sector and move us
and agriculture related businesses
towards the overarching intention of producing food as
Residency of labour force, i.e. where the majority of jobs are concentrated
o O
Location of primary production and Location of processing and distribution
close to home as possible. One of the key opportunities in fresh is the recognition that there is a small but potent emerging local food sector in Edmonton that is actively producing, processing and marketing a range of fresh products. There are small to medium scale businesses which are under local ownership and/or leadership. This emerging sector also includes community organizations, farmers' market organizations, pre- and post-secondary education institutions, restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, urban and pen-urban farmers, small-scale processors, community supported agriculture, fresh food box programs and business associations, among many others, that are creating opportunities within the local food sector in Edmonton.
Again, it must also be recognized that local food and urban agriculture are part of a broader network of activities and relationships, in particular across the Capital Region, but also extending in all directions from Edmonton. For example, many of the vendors represented at Edmonton's farmers' markets are from the greater Edmonton region, some are from other regions and some are from outside of Alberta. The implementation of this Strategy will require regional and provincial partnerships to explore opportunities beyond those found just within Edmonton's boundaries.
Figure l: Shades of Local
LOCAL 0-100 KM
NOT LOCAL 600 Km
---F 2400 KM-1
11111111V Most local Highest Multipliers Most relevant to the Strategy
The range of how local food can manifest within an urban setting can be further illustrated by Figure 2. Urban agriculture, shown from a land use perspective, may or may not be the primary use of urban lands. For example, urban residential lands or inner urban lands may have the land use zoning designated as primarily residential land-use, however, agricultural production (such as horticulture) may be feasible in community gardens or backyard gardens as a secondary use. In pen-urban areas, agricultural production may take place on lands zoned for agriculture as the primary land-use and offer additional opportunities for agri-tourism, agri-related commercial developments, education and recreation as secondary uses.
SECTION
2 • BUILDING A STRATEGY THAT MATTERS
Least local Lowest Multipliers Least relevant to the Strategy
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Figure 2: Pen-urban to Inner Urban Core Transect
Ls
it Li ,
1 "1
t
U•
1
• 1
FOOD PRODUCTION
r
6 . 14 .
6u...amodoiftrit --'
-•,''
INNER URBAN
INNER URBAN CORE
• Backyard Gardens
• Community gardens
• Rooftop gardens
• Edible landscaping in parks and public right of way
• Rooftop gardens
• Private (condo) food gardens
• Larger tracts of farmland
• Small livestock
I
.
Urban
• Community gardens and orchards
• Private (condo) food gardens
• Edible landscaping in parks and public right of way
• Possibly bees and hens (pilot)
• Edible landscaping in parks and public right of way
• On farm processing and preserving
• Neighbourhood Food Hub/ satellites
• Food Hub (community food centre)
• Food Hub (community food centre)
• Aggregation center
• Cellars
• Community root cellars
• Community root cellars
PROCESSING
BUYING 8r SELLING
-. ..
Pen-urban
• Hobby Farms
Y1
I
I
••
URBAN RESIDENTIAL
• Bees and Hens
STORAGE & DISTRIBUTION
I1
PERI-URBAN
• Market Gardens
. f' f.
: C.! '
• 4
G. -
II , I 1 _Illi
• On-farm cooler and dry storage
• Fresh box delivery
• Fresh box delivery • Farm gate sales
• Farmers' markets
• Farmers' markets
• Farmers' markets
• Rural farmers' markets
• Grocery stores
• Grocery stores
• Food programs
• Food programs • On farm tastings
• Home consumption
• Home consumption
• Restaurants
EATING & CELEBRATION
WASTE & RECOVERY
EDUCATION & GOVERNANCE
• Food trucks, Restaurants, Patios • Cooking programs • Community kitchens
• On farm waste management
• Residential composting
• Condo / home composting
• Reduced packaging at farm gate
• Restaurant food waste pick
• Reduced packaging
• Reduced packaging
• Office composting
• Training and Incubation farms for new farmers
• Training for urban gardeners
• Training for urban gardeners
• Extension services
• University programs
• Provincial crop and farm research
• Urban gardener training
• University programs
• Food preparation
• Opportunities for new immigrants
. Nutritional advice
• Farmer training
• School programs
• School programs • University programs • Urban gardener training • Food preparation • Nutritional advice
• Street festivals, Food trucks, Restaurants, Patios • Community kitchens • Reduced packaging • Office composting program • Training for high tech urban gardeners • Urban gardener training • Food preparation • Nutritional advice
HOW THE STRATEGY WAS DEVELOPED
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
3.1 Public Consultation and Engagement The moment the City of Edmonton embarked upon its
people in a more thorough and engaged discussion. It was
Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy, it was clear that a
important to hear what people thought about the issues,
significant public consultation and dialogue would not
but also to hear how they understood and dealt with the
only be part of the process but a key consideration in
complexities and implications of the decisions to be made.
the findings and recommendations. With that in mind,
THE METHODS OF ENGAGEMENT INCLUDED:
an Advisory Committee was formed in October of 2011 comprised of a diverse range of stakeholders and experts
O Citizen panels
in agriculture, food systems, economic and community
O Stakeholder workshops
development and land development. City staff and
o
Public opinion survey
consultants supported the Advisory Committee as they
o
Landowner survey
developed the Strategy using extensive research, expertise and public consultation. Edmonton's emerging local food sector is propelled by
O Food in the City Conference O Webs ite, email list, blog and Twitter
strong citizen participation, and therefore, our citizens
O Open houses
are uniquely placed to offer their insight. Over 3000
o
fresh feedback survey
Edmontonians participated in one way or another in our
Considerable efforts, including research, consultation,
consultation process, and stakeholders from many diverse
discussion, analysis and coordination with other City
areas of urban agriculture shared their views and opinions.
plans and initiatives, have been undertaken to develop
Consultation and public engagement have inherent
this strategy. It has presented a unique opportunity to
challenges in achieving broad citizen reach, but this
engage Edmontonians in a conversation about food and
process targeted citizens through a wide array of
urban agriculture, and the Advisory Committee is grateful
mechanisms and gathered the ideas and passions of a
to everyone that took part in this process. fresh could not
significant number of Edmontonians. The process not only
have been completed without the interest and support of
reached a broad audience, but also aimed to involve some
all who participated.
SECTION 3
•
HOW THE STRATEGY WAS DEVELOPED
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
It is difficult to reduce a complicated and rewarding
All the research and consultation reports can be found
process to a few selected high-level observations and
at www.edmonton.calfoodandag. These reports include
findings, but some clear themes and patterns did emerge
the following:
in the public consultation phase.
o
Citizen Panel Report - A summary of the
THE MOST OFTEN-HEARD THEMES AND IDEAS WERE:
recommendations made by the Citizen Panel process
O Available urban spaces for food production need to be increased
undertaken in partnership with the Centre for
o o
Access to local food for consumers must be improved
Public Involvement o
A summary of the discussion and feedback gathered during the first round of stakeholder workshops led by
Prime agricultural land should be protected
the project consultants
O Local food should be celebrated o
Food and community cohesion are closely linked
o
O Education, awareness and promotion around local food needs to be increased o o
Stakeholder Group Summary - Round Two A summary of the discussion and feedback gathered during the second round of stakeholder workshops
O Balanced growth is vital O Economic opportunities for local food businesses must be improved
Stakeholder Group Summary - Round One -
that were led by the project consultants o
Public Opinion Survey Report - A summary of the findings from the online survey that was available during the month of June 2012
o
Landowner Survey Report - A summary of the
Infrastructure for food and urban agriculture related businesses must be enhanced
online survey that was sent to landowners in the three
The coordination of resources and information sharing should be strengthened
uses of land
Urban Growth Areas to identify current and future
o
O The City of Edmonton needs to take a strongly supportive role in all of the above
in early October 2012 to gather feedback from the public on the draft of fresh
In addition to the most often heard themes, Appendix 5 includes a synthesis of how all the Strategic Directions and
fresh Feedback Survey Report - A summary of the findings from the online survey that was available
o
Agricultural Inventory and Assessment -
Recommendations are linked to the various consultation
An inventory of agricultural lands and activities within
reports. This illustrates the connections between the
Edmonton with a focus on the Urban Growth Areas
Strategy and what we heard from our engagement process so that there is a clear line of sight from our consultation to the Recommendations. The full breadth of information gathered for the Strategy is freely available to the public.
o
Local Food Opportunities Report - A review of six initial opportunities for the Strategy to help bolster the emerging local food economy.
3.2. Aligning with Key City Plans Edmonton's food system is complex in nature, with wide ranging impacts. A comprehensive and pragmatic food and urban agriculture strategy therefore needs to focus on what change can be affected by Edmontonians and the City. This means fresh needs to integrate well into existing City plans, priorities and budgets. Edmonton has embarked on a comprehensive process to chart its social, financial, environmental and developmental pathways, through the creation of a suite of documents that lay out Edmonton's aspirations on the key fronts that will shape the city's future. The Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy was developed as part of the ongoing process of creating a better Edmonton through coherent and integrated planning, and although some of the key City documents are more relevant to the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy than others, the following provides a brief overview of the directly relevant plans. More detailed information on the alignment between the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy and other City policies can be found in Appendix 3.
SECTION 3 HOW THE STRATEGY WAS DEVELOPED
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
The Way Ahead
The Way We Prosper
The Way Ahead is the City's strategic plan for growth over
The Way We Prosper is a comprehensive economic
the next 30 years. It highlights that Edmonton is an "energy
development strategy for the City. It will focus on what
city," a city of design, a recreation and arts city. Four
it means to achieve the goal of "diversifying Edmonton's
principles underpin The Way Ahead. These are: Integration,
economy". Five broad goals have been developed for The
Sustainability, Livability, and Innovation. This is relevant
Way We Prosper: a confident and progressive global image,
to this Strategy in that all City of Edmonton planning
internationally renowned as a powerhouse of industry, an
processes must be filtered through these four principles.
unrivalled, competitive business climate, an environment for innovation, a vibrant, livable city. All of these align well
The Way We Grow
to support the economic development aims of
fresh.
The Way We Grow is the City's principal planning document and- the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy Terms
The Way We Move
of Reference are drawn from it. In fact, The Way We
The Way We Move
Grow contains the city's first ever reference to food and
transportation plan, increasing awareness about our
comprises the City's master
agriculture systems. The Way We Grow is designed to guide
current reliance on the automobile, calling for expansion
the city's growth and development, and it examines how the
of the LRT and other transit, as well as better walkways and
City will address Edmonton's regional relationships, future
cycle corridors. The Way We Move was co-developed with
land use, growth patterns and transportation systems (in
The Way We Grow, which stresses the link between land
coordination with neighbouring municipalities). It lays out
use and transportation. Land use is a key consideration in
a holistic and integrated approach toward city building,
this Strategy, and issues of transportation and movement,
with an emphasis on economic, social, environmental,
and in particular public transit, are highly relevant to the
cultural and financial sustainability.
ways in which all land uses are discussed in Edmonton.
The Way We Finance
The Way We Green
The Way We Finance will be the City's financial sustainability
The Way We Green, the City's environmental plan, focuses
plan, and it will outline guiding principles to ensure
on two essential points: sustainability and resilience. Its
continued sound fiscal management and long-term
goals highlight healthy ecosystems, sustainability, energy
financial sustainability. Development of The Way We
resilience, and that we pursue a "resilient food and
Finance will involve an assessment of policy options
urban agriculture system that contributes to the overall
and strategies to optimize the City's sources of revenue
sustainability of the city."
and financial stewardship. The policy and strategy framework that it will provide will guide City Council and Administration towards a long-range financial plan. Although The Way We Finance is not yet complete, there will likely be a strong connection made between the fiscal sustainability of the City and various land uses within Edmonton, including land used for agriculture.
• FOOD SYSTEMS AND FRAMEWORKS
•
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
4.1 The Elements of a Food System At the heart of fresh is a systems approach to food and urban agriculture. This approach recognizes that all parts of the system are linked and interwoven and that creating a thriving local food culture and economy means paying attention to all aspects of the food system. Part of the job of this strategy is to connect the dots and recognize that each element of the food system is mutually reinforced by the other elements and, when considered as a whole, a systematic and deliberate approach to creating a more resilient and thriving local food economy is both feasible and desirable. Figure 3 illustrates these key food system elements.
O FOOD PRODUCTION involves land and space for growing/raising food as well as the support systems necessary for urban and penurban farmers.
O PROCESSING involves transforming raw goods into market-ready and value-added products. Processing can be at a commercial or community scale (e.g. commercial and community kitchens respectively).
o
STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION involves the cold, dry and frozen storage of foods making their way to wholesale and retail locations and the facilities required to effectively distribute food products to customers.
O BUYING AND SELLING the purchasing of food for individual to institutional purposes. This involves the food wholesale and retail sectors including restaurants, grocery stores, farmers' markets and others.
SECTION 4 • FOOD SYSTEMS AND FRAMEWORKS
O EATING AND CELEBRATION involves the preparation and enjoyment of food, community recognition for the health benefits and value of local food production and preparation.
O FOOD WASTE AND RECOVERY involves the systems to manage waste generated from the food system, such as reducing packaging and the amount of food that is wasted pre-consumption. It also includes diverting organic materials for composting.
O EDUCATION AND GOVERNANCE involves the many levels of learning and knowledge transfer around growing, preparing, preserving, enjoying food, and the health benefits derived from food, as well as how communities choose to link food systems into policy and decision-making.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Land & Space for giiculture ' Farming & Food Production
Food Waste & Recovery Education & Governance
'Processing. 8r, Distribution
4.2 Strategy Frameworks The following three diagrams outline the interlocking
Buying & Selling
Figure 3: Elements of a Food System
nature of the key elements of this Strategy. This visual framework for Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy has three main components: C)
Core Structure (Figure 4): A diagram that connects the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy's Vision, Goals, Objectives to its Strategic Directions and Recommendations.
0 A Strategy for all of Edmonton (Figure 5): A spatial lens that provides a context for looking at the opportunities for urban agriculture in the different areas of Edmonton, from the downtown core to the pen-urban areas. C) Strategy and Food System Links (Figure 6): A graphical depiction of the connections between the Strategic Directions and the food system, providing a holistic perspective of the various opportunities available across the food system. Taken together, these three components of the Strategy Framework offer a high-level visual context that supports the specific recommendations of this report.
4.2.1 CORE STRUCTURE To ground the development of the Strategy, the Advisory Committee approved the use of the Strategic Goal statement from The Way We Grow for use as the Vision:
Edmonton has a resilient food and agriculture system that contributes to the local economy and the overall cultural, financial, social and environmental sustainability of the city. Five key Goals were then developed to act as a foundation, to frame and guide the work on the Strategy. These Goals are supported by corresponding Objectives. The Strategic Directions reflect the themes gathered from the public and stakeholder consultations and provide clear direction to achieving the Goals and Objectives.
Following are the Goals and a description of the success that would result from realizing each: A stronger, more vibrant local economy: Food and urban agriculture in Edmonton contribute more significantly to the creation of community wealth. There are more jobs and business opportunities in the local food and agriculture sectors. As a result, Edmontonians have more opportunities to buy, share and enjoy local and regional food.
A healthier, more food secure community: Everyone in Edmonton has access to enough nutritious, safe and culturally-appropriate food. People have more opportunities to learn about and participate in the local food system. Local food is more accessible to everyone and individuals, families and communities are encouraged to grow, prepare, preserve and purchase and celebrate local food.
Healthier ecosystems: The local food and urban agriculture system positively contributes to the overall health and ecosystem services that green spaces provide. Areas of high biodiversity, environmental sensitivity, and ecological significance are protected. Food and urban agricultural areas are managed in ways that support wildlife habitat, conserve water use and are environmentally sustainable.
Less energy, emissions and waste: The local food and urban agriculture system is highly energy efficient and generate little waste. The food system reduces dependence on non-renewable energy, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, alternative renewable energy is used, such as energy generated from agricultural by-products and food wastes, which are also composted to improve soil quality. Less solid waste and air pollution are generated during the producing, transporting, distributing, marketing, packaging, eating, and recycling of food.
More vibrant, attractive and unique places: Food and urban agriculture create and contribute to vibrant, attractive, and unique places for Edmontonians and visitors. Public and private spaces are designed to use food as a way to enhance the local food culture, celebrate food, and animate and enliven shared spaces. Visitors to Edmonton appreciate and experience the local food culture. Food growing, processing, buying, selling, and eating places are all accessible at the neighbourhood level.
SECTION
4 • FOOD SYSTEMS AND FRAMEWORKS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Figure 4: Core Structure
VISION Edmonton has a resilient food and agriculture system that contributes to the local economy and the overall cultural, financial, social, and environmental sustuinability of the city.
A stronger, more vibrant
local economy
A healthier, more food-secure community
More vibrant, attractive, and unique places
Less energy, emissions and waste
Healthier ecosystems
OBJECTIVES The local food economy generates wealth for Edmonton's community There is adequate food processing, storage, and distribution capacity for a range of business sizes and scales There are many job and business opportunities in the local food and agriculture sector
A greater proportion of Edmonton's food basket is grown, raised, prepared, and processed closer to home A wide diversity of food types are grown and prepared locally A consistently growing number of Edmontonians have the food skills to provide good nutrition to themselves and their families
Food has a strong presence in the public realm Food makes Edmonton more livable and interesting Edmonton is known for its food culture
Our food system uses less non-renewable energy and generates less greenhouse gas emissions Food waste is minimized and bio-energy options are explored
People may easily connect to food and agriculture assets, activities, and resources
Our food system is part of and enhances the local ecosystem Food production reduces reliance on synthetically manufactured agrochemicals by relying on ecological methods of soil building and pest management Food producers provide and are connected to wildlife habitat
Consumers have easy access to local food
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
Establish the Edmonton Food Council
Provide Food Skill Education and Information
Develop Local Food Infrastructure Capacity
Integrate Land for Agriculture
Grow Local Food Supply and Demand
Expand Urban Agriculture
Enliven the Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities
Support Urban Farmers & Ecological Approaches to Farming
Treat Food Waste as a Resource
recommendations to support strategic directions
4.2.2 A STRATEGY FOR ALL OF EDMONTON Edmonton has a great diversity of areas within its boundaries. Opportunities for food and urban agriculture vary depending on where they occur. For example, in Edmonton's developed urban core the range of activities may include rooftop gardening or vertical gardening on a balcony. Further away from the core, in mature areas and suburbs, there may be more community gardens and backyard gardens. In pen-urban areas there may be opportunities for market gardens, nurseries and greenhouses. Figure 5 represents how urban agriculture activities cans be dispersed across the city, and how the Strategic Directions may apply to all parts of Edmonton.
Figure 5: Potential application of strategic directions
( Strategic Direction:
Strategic Direction: Integrate Land for Agriculture
Support Urban Farming and Ecological Approaches to Farming
Strategic Direction:
Strategic Direction:
Enliven the Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities
Develop Local Food Infrastructure Capacity
Strategic Direction:
Strategic Direction: i
Grow Local Food Supply and Demand
Expand Urban Agriculture
( Strategic Direction: Provide Food Skill Education and Information Strategic Direction: Establish the Edmonton Food Council ( Strategic Direction: Treat Food Waste as a Resource SECTION 4 • FOOD SYSTEMS AND FRAMEWORKS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
4.2.3 STRATEGY AND FOOD SYSTEM LINKS The food and urban agriculture system encompasses the various stages that a raw food product goes through. A systems perspective provides a tool to check that the opportunities being explored are comprehensive and mutually supportive. Traditionally local governments focused more on the land for food production, but more recently have begun to look at the social, environmental and economic opportunities across the other stages of the food and urban agriculture system. Figure 6 depicts the key dimensions of the food system and how the Strategic Directions relate to each.
Figure 6: Key dimensions of the food system
Integrate Land for Agriculture
Expand Urban Agriculture
Farming & Food Production
Food Waste & Recovery Provide Basic Food Skill Education and Information
Education & Governance
Develop Local Food ) Infrastructure Capacity Processing & Distribution
(Establish the Edmonton).•••••••• Food Council Buying & Selling Enliven the Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities
Support Urban Farmers and Ecological Approaches to Farming
Land & Space for Agriculture
( Treat Food Waste as a Resource
Grow Local Food Supply j and Demand
•
• STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
•
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
The placement and numbering of the Strategic Directions and their Recommendations do not denote a hierarchy, or an order in which they are expected to be addressed. They are
fresh includes Strategic
numbered simply for organizational and reference purposes.
Directions and each is supported
It is also important to note that although the Recommendations
by specific Recommendations.
City Council and Administration) this does not mean that the
The Recommendations contained
City of Edmonton is the only party responsible for taking action
in this section provide direction
who will be expected to participate in implementing the Food
and actions that will help to
and Urban Agriculture Strategy. In fact, the energy, enthusiasm
realize the Vision, Goals and
enjoys local food will be required in order for fresh to succeed.
Objectives, taking advantage of
That circle of partnerships includes community groups, of
are generally directed to the City of Edmonton (including both
to realize them. There are numerous partners and supporters
and commitment of every one in Edmonton who grows and
industry leaders, of the federal and provincial governments,
the strong relationships, assets
of developers, of neighbourhood associations, of farmers and
and opportunities that already
gardeners, of retailers and restaurateurs.
exist in Edmonton. Future
Many of the Recommendations contain examples of initiatives
adoption and implementation
as a starting point and are not meant to be exhaustive. As the
of the Recommendations will
work gets underway and particular projects and initiatives
position the City of Edmonton
that will arise.
to become a leading example
A number of the Strategy's Goals, Strategic Directions and
for municipal food and urban
Recommendations may be achieved in the short-term, but
agriculture initiatives.
a number of years to be fully realized. This does not mean
or actions that may be undertaken. The examples are provided
evolve, there will no doubt be other opportunities for action
there is no doubt that many are ambitious and will require we shouldn't embark on the journey, only that we must acknowledge that we are not going to arrive tomorrow.
SECTION 5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.3. Education & Governance
strategic direction
THE EDMONTON FOOD COUNCIL
5.1.1 CONTEXT The City of Edmonton's Municipal Development Plan, The
Over zoo towns and cities across North America have
Way We Grow, specifically includes direction to establish an
formed food councils. These councils have a range of
Edmonton Food Council (EFC). This point was highlighted
roles and responsibilities, but all provide a formal avenue
when the Terms of Reference were created for the
for a broad range of individuals and organizations with
development of the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy.
food and agriculture related interests to network and
It was also strongly supported by stakeholders and the
provide service to the greater community. Some councils
community during the consultation phase as a key pillar
are closely linked to municipal decision-making and have
in implementing the Strategy and in making Edmonton a
clear lines of communication with municipal government,
leader in food and urban agriculture over the long term.
while others have an arm's length relationship to local
But what is a food council? Typically, a food council brings together stakeholders from various food-related sectors to examine how the food system is operating and to advise on how to improve it. Food councils may take many forms, sometimes commissioned by government and sometimes through a strong grassroots and community effort. Food councils have been successful at educating officials and the public, shaping policy, improving coordination between existing programs and starting new initiatives.
government and are more focused on grassroots action. Generally, food councils in Canada and the United States are advisory bodies to city councils, providing staff and elected officials with a single point of connection to a broad network of food and urban agriculture initiatives and perspectives. They provide guidance and implementation support to municipalities in the diverse and complex social and political climate of food and urban agriculture.
5.1.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
IC)
0 Establish the Edmonton Food Council (EFC) by June 1, 2013. The EFC will represent a broad set of interests with a mandate to advise on matters of food and urban agriculture and to take an active role in supporting the implementation of the Strategy. Activities of the EFC could include, but are not limited to: •
proposing priorities and a work plan to the City by December 31, 2013
•
providing advice on food & urban agriculture issues
•
identifying emerging issues and potential solutions
•
monitoring and reporting on progress of
C) Explore the creation of an Edmonton Food Charter. One of the key directions from The Way We Grow was the creation of an Edmonton Food Charter. The Advisory Committee discussions recognized that although food charters can be useful, and have been in other jurisdictions, the strong foundation provided by the Vision and Goals of this Strategy may serve the same purpose as that of a food charter. At the same time, the Advisory Committee also acknowledged that the development of an Edmonton Food Charter could be undertaken in the future if the community and stakeholders felt it necessary.
the Strategy •
playing a networking and connecting role between the many partners involved with implementing the Strategy
•
facilitating collaboration between City departments and linking the City to community partners
•
hosting community forums and undertaking other forms of engagement and education on food & urban agriculture topics
SECTION 5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
0 Provide appropriate supporting resources to the EFC, which might include: i.
At least one full-time staff position to support the EFC. An operating budget and clerical support for meetings.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.1.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1:
Establish the Edmonton Food Council
tat
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_ A STRONGER, MORE VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
A HEALTHIER, MORE
The Edmonton Food Council will support the goals of the Strategy and can offer support specific to: •
Starting new initiatives
•
Providing advice and information to the City and the community
FOOD-SECURE COMMUNITY
MORE ATTRACTIVE, VIBRANT, AND UNIQUE PLACES
HEALTHIER ECOSYSTEMS
LESS ENERGY, EMISSIONS, WASTE
•
Shaping public policy
•
Improving coordination between existing programs and initiatives
5.2 Education & Governance
I-
• 0
PROVIDE FOOD SKILL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION 5.2.1 CONTEXT In today's world, our understanding of where our food
Yet while there are a wide range of food-related
comes from has substantially diminished and our
organizations, businesses, and institutions involved with
connection to the food system is broken. As a result, people
food skill education there is no central place that links
in communities of all sizes have lost basic food growing,
them and creates a forum for networking, leveraging
preserving and preparing skills. Edmonton is no different,
resources, supporting promotion and marketing efforts by
although we do have organizations and initiatives in place
providing food and urban agriculture information, events,
that are addressing this knowledge gap and acknowledging
and initiatives.
the links between basic food skill education and health. Food skill education can take many forms, from active programming (such as cooking lessons at community kitchens and gardening workshops in community gardens) to more passive strategies (such as signage around demonstration gardens and community orchards). There is a need to increase the capacity and opportunities
Food skill education (as well as other topics in the Strategy) can be supported and facilitated by a central educational resource that enables access to an array of food system information. Throughout the consultation, people said an online information centre would be a fundamental resource. In addition, we heard that strong collaborative efforts to develop and support education and training
for people to build and sustain relationships and networks,
opportunities by various community, educational and city
improve partnerships among new and existing organizations,
agencies would be vital.
increase consumer knowledge, increase participation in food growing, preserving and preparing activities and generally raise awareness for all citizens.
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fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.2.2 RECOMMENDATIONS C) Work with the Edmonton Food Council and various partners (such as Northlands, the University of Alberta, NAIT and others) to provide multiple learning opportunities on key food and urban agriculture topics and initiatives. Using multiple forms of media (e.g., presentations, print, radio, social media), such forums may include but are not limited to: Food policy presentation/discussion •
Basic food skill education such as growing, preserving, and cooking
•
Links to the Edmonton Food Council and other city departments with a role in implementing the Strategy
•
Information for new urban farmers on a range of topics such as accessing land, rules and regulations for farming in the city, micro-loan programs, support programs, farmer networks, ecological farming practices and more
•
A farmer-to-landowner match program that connects land available for lease with farmers looking for land
• "Buy local" and "eat local" campaigns C) Assess and map Edmonton's food
C) Work with partners such as Northlands to enhance existing capacity for information sharing amongst the many organizations, businesses, agencies and institutions involved in food and urban agriculture. C) Create a single portal for a wide-range of food and urban agriculture information and education. This could include information on topics such as: •
How to find a community garden plot
•
How to access health and safety information on food processing and preparation
•
Key resources for start-up businesses (e.g. health and safety requirements and resources for food processing)
system assets. Develop an open-source online tool to map the various food assets in Edmonton's food system, including food processing, storage, distribution and retail. This information would provide a baseline from which to measure progress on implementation of the Strategy. A key component of the asset map tool is the development of relationships with partners, and the ability for anyone to contribute to the mapping. Food assets could include but are not limited to: •
Agricultural land
•
Community gardens
•
Grocery stores
•
Calendar of food and urban agriculture events
•
Farmers' markets
•
Culinary programs that have a local food component
•
Food and culture-related gathering places
•
Street vendors
•
Online engagement tools such as food asset mapping
•
Local food restaurants
•
Food festivals
•
Links to other information sources
•
Meal programs provided by social service agencies
C) Support mentorship and training for urban agriculture. Develop learning programs in partnership with key organizations such as Northlands, educational institutions and community projects at the neighbourhood level. Possible examples include, but are not limited to: •
Employment programs for vulnerable populations
level learning programs, such as food production,
through a partnership with social service agencies
processing, preservation, and cooking
and local food businesses •
•
Partnering with culinary programs to pilot urban
Using existing community assets (e.g. community
agriculture learning programs and innovative
gardens, community leagues, canning and
projects in neighbourhoods and communities
cooking clubs) as anchors for neighbourhood
5.2.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2: Provide
Food Skill Education and Infrastructure
GOAL
New and existing businesses can increase capacity and networking opportunities by consolidating the wide range of information on rules, A STRONGER,
c„,,
s
MORE VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
regulations, and resources for starting a new food business, learning where to access consistent supply and high-quality local food and sponsorship opportunities. Food skill education will increase consumer awareness around local food and shift part of household spending to local food businesses. Broad-based food skill education will increase participation in food growing,
A HEALTHIER,
preserving, and preparing activities and will help to increase healthy food
0 . e
MORE FOOD-SECURE
options for Edmontonians. An online food information centre could provide
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COMMUNITY
networking, resource sharing, and overall coordination capacity for the organizations involved in providing food skill education.
NOW
MORE ATTRACTIVE,
An online food information centre can provide information on food and
VIBRANT, AND
agriculture related events, patios in the city, food truck locations, community
UNIQUE PLACES
gardens, farmers' markets, and other important food places in Edmonton. An online food information centre can provide information, links and resources
HEALTHIER
for topics such as ecological farm practices and best practices in farmland
ECOSYSTEMS
stewardship in order to support a shift to more ecologically sound food and urban agriculture activities. Providing information to farmers, food processors, and others on how
LESS ENERGY, 0
EMISSIONS, WASTE
to reduce food and packaging waste will increase energy efficiency in the food system.
SECTION 5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.3 • • Food Production
strategic direction
EXPAND URBAN AGRICULTURE 5.3.1
CONTEXT
Urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing,
Building on this new interest, the City of Edmonton could
and distributing food in and around towns and cities'. It
play a significant role in encouraging the practice of food
has been increasing in popularity in Edmonton and has
growing in urban areas in safe and effective ways, through
expanded from the familiar private backyard garden
guidelines, regulations and permitting. The City can also
into community spaces such as parks, school grounds,
enable and facilitate by increasing public awareness,
vacant lots and boulevards. Currently, there are over 6o
brokering partnerships, removing barriers and creating
community gardens in Edmonton (many of which have
opportunities for businesses, providing initial operational
waiting lists) and dozens of organizations engaged in
and material support to organizations, and leading by
urban agriculture activities. As well, Edmonton has large
example with initiatives such as edible landscaping.
scale commercial market gardens within its boundaries.
Capitalizing on Edmonton's existing strengths and
There are multiple reasons for this growing interest in urban agriculture, including having more control over what we eat and where our food comes from to building a better understanding of the connection between food and health, the local economy and the environment. New growing techniques and technologies that allow food to be grown almost anywhere are also helping to drive this change. Hydroponics, SPIN farming, aquaponics, container gardens and vertical growing systems, among other methods, are becoming more available as production alternatives. There are also several demonstration and research projects and initiatives in Edmonton exploring the opportunities behind non-soil based food production.
Bailkey, M. and J. Nasr. z000. Front Brownfields to Greenfields: Producing Food in North American Cities. Community Food Security News. Fall 1999/Winter 2000:6
assets in urban agriculture will lead to strong growth and benefits to many, including small businesses, non-profits, community groups, and citizens. The public benefits could include a more resilient local food supply chain, increased community participation in the food system, a greater diversity of fresh food sources, healthier ecosystems and improved efficiencies in the distribution of food.
5.3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS Pursue urban agriculture opportunities in existing and developing neighbourhoods, including but not limited to the following: i.
Creating an inventory of public and private lands in the city that could be used for a variety of urban agriculture activities. Creating and apply guidelines to integrate urban agriculture into public spaces, such as streets and boulevards, parks and plazas.
iii. Considering the development of an edible landscaping strategy with fruit trees and edible plants that will grow in the Edmonton climate and are on the allowable plant list and in the Urban Parks Management Plan.
vii. Working with home builders to provide information to home buyers on top soil depth requirements for growing a range of food crops. viii.Assessing the regulatory barriers for green roofs in order to encourage food production on rooftops. ix. Encouraging more urban agriculture activities for public recreation and public benefit on portions of Municipal Reserve, or on negotiated non-credit Municipal Reserve lands (for example for community gardens and orchards, outdoor eating and gathering areas, walking paths with edible landscaping).
iv. Exploring opportunities for agro-forestry v. Working with developers to provide land and infrastructure for urban agriculture, for example for: •
community gardens (including beds, tool sheds, soil and water hook-ups)
•
community orchards, food forests and berry patches.
vi. Evaluating the "agri-hood" model
currently being developed for the City Centre Lands for its effectiveness and potential as a demonstration for how other developers/builders in Edmonton can integrate food growing areas into new and redeveloping neighbourhoods.
SECTION
5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
0 Develop partnerships to support innovation in urban agriculture including: i. Working with partners (such as Northlands, NAIT, University of Alberta) to test innovative technologies and approaches for producing and processing food in urban spaces. ii. Exploring the feasibility of alternative energy sources for greenhouse food production (e.g., utilizing waste heat in greenhouse production) with partners such as the University of Alberta and Northlands.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
C) Support for-profit urban and pen-urban agriculture, including: i.
Assessing regulatory barriers to allow and encourage urban compatible food production, processing and selling activities (e.g., garden gate sales) within residential and other zones. Considering the creation of specialized business permits, regulations and guidelines for commercial urban agriculture operations that encompass health and safety requirements and good-neighbour practices for a range of production types, such as market gardens, sharing backyards and non-soil-based forms of production (e.g. greenhouses and aquaponics).
C) Examine opportunities for citizens to keep bees and raise hens.
i.
Partner with local non-profits to assist in the evaluation of the implications of allowing urban bee keeping. City staff to report findings to City Council. Partner with local non-profits to assist in the evaluation of the implications of allowing urban backyard hens. City staff to report findings to City Council.
5.3.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 3:
Expand Urban Agriculture
A STRONGER, MORE VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
A HEALTHIER,
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MORE ATTRACTIVE, CITITED
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HEALTHIER ECOSYSTEMS
LESS ENERGY,
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EMISSIONS, WASTE
Urban agriculture can provide viable, commercial business opportunities in the areas of food production (and related processing and retailing), and the development and application of new technologies and methods for growing large volumes of food in small spaces. Urban agriculture can help to provide resilience in the event of food supply chain interruptions (from market shifts in commodities or weather events, for instance). It can also help address food-related health and access issues, and increase community participation in the food system. Increasing the diversity and visibility of food-growing in Edmonton adds interest and animation to the public realm. A broad spectrum of urban agriculture activities increases access to the diversity of sources of fresh produce within neighbourhoods. Urban agriculture can support urban ecosystem services such as stormwater management and habitat areas for songbirds, bees, and other species.
closer to home shortens the supply chain, enabling energy and organic matter to be more efficiently recycled. As well, the need for packaging can be decreased and transportation efficiencies can reduce energy use.
5.4 Storage & Distribution Processing
strate ic directio
4
DEVELOP LOCAL FOOD INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY 5.4.1 CONTEXT As local food production increases, there will be greater demand for the infrastructure required to get products efficiently to market, including processing, storage and distribution capacity. Currently in Edmonton, there is a lack of infrastructure for small to medium-sized businesses to effectively access wholesale and retail markets. Increasing local processing, storage and distribution capacity would create opportunities for businesses to provide Edmonton, and the region, with a wider range and volume of local food products. This creates efficiency and convenience both for local food businesses and for local food consumers. Much of the value in the food system is concentrated in the infrastructure part of the chain, often called "the middle". Rebuilding "the middle" of the food system between production and consumption requires a holistic view of a resilient food system. This holistic approach also requires that we recognize the diversity of scale and players involved in our local food system. The infrastructure needs of private businesses would not be the same as the infrastructure needs for organizations and groups at the community and neighbourhood level, such as community leagues and other non-profit groups. For example, appropriate warehouse spaces for medium-sized local food businesses require different supports than upgrading community league halls with certified commercial kitchens. Addressing the gaps for all players involved strengthens the food system as a whole. One specific example of local food infrastructure is the food hub concept. As a growing practice across North America (some in partnership with local governments) food hubs are centrally located multi-purpose facilities that have the capacity to perform various business functions. Typically food hubs involve clustering mutually beneficial activities together for multiple users,
SECTION
5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
gaining the benefit of coordinating these activities in one
aggregation, and distribution services. Other food hubs
location. Food hubs often create opportunities for small
may have a more customer and social focus, with services
scale producers to access services that they could not
such as retail space or a farmers' market, educational
individually, like marketing, distribution, customer liaising,
and cultural programs, operating space for non-profits or
processing and selling to wholesalers.
special event venues. The point is that good things happen
The food hub concept is flexible, and any food hub
when people congregate and cooperate around food.
venture will reflect the needs of the suppliers and
Improved food system infrastructure benefits would
customers involved in creating that food hub enterprise.
include the ability to add-value and prepare goods for
As a result, the purpose, activities and users of foods hub
market, warehouse and cold-store products, gather similar
could vary greatly. Some food hubs are designed primarily
products together from multiple producers and ensure
for commercial uses, to give businesses access to storage,
that health and safety regulations are met.
5.4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS 0 Assist in creating appropriate spaces and opportunities for local food businesses to operate and expand. Work closely with key partners such as Northlands and businesses of diverse sizes and interests within the processing, storage, distribution, wholesale and retail parts of the local food system to identify the needs and gaps in infrastructure capacity. C) Pursue partnerships with private business and other economic agencies and examine establishing a commercial/private sector Agri-Food Hub. Work with key partners and stakeholders, such as Northlands and the Province of Alberta, to envision and test the feasibility of a food hub for Edmonton. Possible functions of the food hub could include, but are not limited to, the provision of a certified commercial kitchen, a permanent farmers' market location, extension services for producers, and aggregation, storage and distribution capacity. Ensure the Edmonton Agri-Food Hub complements other food
hubs in the region (such as the Leduc Food Processing Development Centre). C) Assist in improving neighbourhood-scale food infrastructure. Working closely with community organizations, community leagues, and the Edmonton Food Council to identify and improve existing facilities and programs with appropriately scaled infrastructure. This could include the creation of small-scale neighbourhood food hubs, upgrading to commercial kitchens, purchasing processing and storage equipment, and other initiatives based on the needs and resources of specific communities and neighbourhoods.
5.4.3
LINKS TO GOALS
STRATEGIC DIRECTION 4:
Develop Local Food Infrastructure Capacity
GOAL
LINKS A STRONGER,
Local food infrastructure can provide capacity for business start-ups and be
MORE VIBRANT
scaled to meet the needs of local producers. Jobs are created to operate these
LOCAL ECONOMY
facilities and the capacity to add value to food products is increased.
A HEALTHIER,
Increasing the capacity for local food processing, storage and distribution
MORE FOOD-SECURE
results in more local foods available to customers. Food hubs can also provide
COMMUNITY
important food education resources such as community kitchens.
MORE ATTRACTIVE,
Food hubs can be active, vibrant places that become the heart of a community,
VIBRANT, AND
as well as provide a visitor attraction.
UNIQUE PLACES
Improved infrastructure increases opportunities for efficiencies, including LESS ENERGY,
those that help address energy use, emissions and waste. There may also be
EMISSIONS, WASTE
expanded opportunities for green energy technologies with new or improved infrastructure projects.
SECTION 5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.5 Buying & Selling
—111111111
strategic direction
GROW LOCAL FOOD SUPPLY AND DEMAND 5.5.1 CONTEXT More and more people are choosing to buy local foods
o
through farmers' markets, farm gate stands, restaurants and mainstream retail outlets. The expanding demand for
o
local food has begun to move up the supply chain, bringing a new wave of entrepreneurs and transforming how wholesale purchasers can source their products. However,
By food supply resilience, do we mean just in the foods we grow for local use rather than export?
o
Given the challenges of achieving a fully selfsufficient local food system, should we set our sights
local food is not always conveniently available and as
on a percentage target of local fresh food that we
a result there is a gap between consumer's preference
aspire to produce locally?
for local food, and what they actually spend their food money on.
If so, what is "local" in that context - within city limits, the region, within a 600km radius?
o
What is the role of innovation and technology in food production in terms of self-sufficiency, such as nonsoil based growing techniques?
A Resilient Food System As the Advisory Committee worked through the Strategy
o
To what extent does food self-sufficiency require
development process, it faced some fundamental
land preservation within the city limits or within
questions, not all of which can be answered by this Strategy
the region?
or in a single, multi stakeholder process. A number of
This Strategy makes tangible strides to expand, diversify,
these fundamental questions about building a local food
and strengthen local food production and urban
system include:
agriculture in our city - and it provides a framework to
o
o
How should cities develop specific strategies in order
build a robust local food system. It does not mark the
to ensure a resilient local food supply system?
endpoint of a process in determining supply and demand
Is the purpose of this system to protect citizens from
targets for a resilient food system. It provides a first
major shocks to the food supply system, and/or to
footprint, and further steps are necessary.
enable and encourage local supply and demand for local foods, together with foods from farther away?
Steps in Growing Local Food Supply and Demand
40
Growing local food supply and demand is opportunity-
Public sector community food hubs can focus on the
driven, and there are multiple approaches to achieving
opportunities that stem from involving and gathering
this aim across the food system. From a retail perspective,
people together in smaller scale food and urban
leveraging the existing strengths and assets in Edmonton
agriculture activities, differing in purpose and focus than
will be key. One example would be improving access
the commercial and Agri-food hub recommended under
to local foods by strengthening our farmers' markets. In
the previous Strategic Direction. These activities might
terms of marketing efforts for local products, a labelling
include social services such as a food bank, a fresh food
or identification system for local products and services
box program, space for non-profits, special event venues,
would bolster the growth of the supply and demand. In
educational and cultural programs and workshops and
turn, this would encourage more mainstream retailers and
diverse opportunities to access employment in food and
wholesalers to make more local foods more readily available.
urban agriculture. A community food hub is also an ideal
In addition, the City of Edmonton has an opportunity to lead by example by creating a local food purchasing policy. This could encourage other large organizations, like educational institutions, hospitals, and large corporations to follow suit, thereby creating a significant impact on
venue and tool to address the social issues of hunger and access to healthy foods. Vibrant community food hubs also contribute to increasing the number of people who are involved in helping to grow the supply and demand of local food.
local food demand.
5.5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS C) Request that the Edmonton Food Council examine local food system resilience by analyzing appropriate outcomes, measures and targets for local food production. C) Create partnerships to strengthen and diversify the local food economy, including but not limited to: i.
Investigating locations of existing facilities/programs that could be used for local food business incubation (e.g. Northlands' sites).
ii. Identifying opportunities to increase the availability of local food within mainstream wholesale and retail food distribution.
SECTION S • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
iii. Leveraging innovative
technologies to expand emerging local food businesses being conducted, for example, in regional research facilities and postsecondary institutions.
C) Strengthen farmers' markets, this could include: i.
Supporting the development of new markets to increase demand and provide opportunities for new and emerging vendors. Developing innovative approaches and supports to strengthen and sustain Edmonton's existing farmers' markets.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
(j) Increase local food purchasing within City of Edmonton operations, which could include: i. Setting local food targets and establishing contract terms for suppliers to increase these targets over time. ii. Increasing purchases of local food products for cafeterias, concessions, catering and vending machines within City of Edmonton facilities. iii. Using the results of the above to help develop local food procurement policies for the City of Edmonton.
C) Work with the Province of Alberta and other industry stakeholders such as Northlands to develop a made/raised/grown-in-Alberta identification system. (j) Pursue partnerships with non-profits and other agencies such as Community Food Centres Canada to establish a public sector Edmonton Community Food Hub. Possible functions could include social services such as a food bank, a fresh food box program, space for non-profits, special event venues, educational and cultural programs and workshops and small scale commercial opportunities that provide access to employment and training in food and urban agriculture.
5.5.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 5:
Grow Local Food Supply and Demand
GOAL
LINKS Increasing the dollar value of the local food economy allows more investment A STRONGER, MORE VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
A HEALTHIER,
to be kept in the community. Locally spent dollars work harder and generate
more profit and income for a range of local food businesses across the food and urban agriculture value chain. Linking the demand for fresh, high-quality food to local supply through
increases the availability and accessibility of local food
MORE FOOD-SECURE
programs and facilities
COMMUNITY
for all of Edmonton.
MORE ATTRACTIVE,
Establishing places to purchase, taste and experience local food offers a
VIBRANT, AND
unique opportunity to create exciting places that are buzzing with activity.
UNIQUE PLACES
Buying food that is grown/raised/made closer to home can reduce energy LESS ENERGY, EMISSIONS, WASTE
costs and the need for packaging perishable items often associated with long-distance travel.
5.6 Eating & Celebration
stra e ic iirect
I'
ENLIVEN THE PUBLIC REALM THROUGH A DIVERSITY OF FOOD ACTIVITIES 5.6.1 CONTEXT Food is the great place-maker. It is evident every day that food plays an integral role in our lives and that we enjoy the time we spend accompanied by food: the coffee break, the business lunch, dinner with friends, weekend brunch, dinner and a movie, holiday meals with family. Food draws people to plazas and streetscapes, and people draw more people, and so on, until a space that might normally be quiet and underutilized is suddenly full of life. Edmonton, Canada's Festival City, is no stranger to animating public spaces with music, street life, entertainment and food—with targeted events such as the What the Truck?! Festival, A Taste of Edmonton, Heritage Festival or indirectly through outdoor cafes and farmers' markets. People also tend to flock to where good food is being made, served and enjoyed. Whyte Avenue and 124th Street have their fair share of food destinations and enjoy success attracting people and activity. Many of Edmonton's food trucks sell out even before the lunch hour begins. With all of the chefs, restaurants, cafes and food trucks— not to mention community gardens and other high-visibility food places—Edmonton is well on its way to building a vibrant food culture. Strengthening and supporting this emerging food culture to make Edmonton a great food city is a natural opportunity.
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fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.6.2 RECOMMENDATIONS C) Celebrate and promote local food producers, community gardens and food grown, raised and made in Edmonton through such initiatives as: i.
Creating an annual Local Food Festival or partnering with other festivals.
ii. Partnerships with the Ministry of Tourism and Northlands to coordinate sponsorship, timing, location and promotions. iii. Engaging local food producers, chefs, restaurateurs and food businesses, as well as immigrant group associations and social service providers, to participate in celebrations and events. () Examine City regulations to allow, where appropriate, permanent and temporary sidewalk patios which could: i.
Enable restaurants, cafes and pubs in all areas of Edmonton to have seasonal patios.
ii. Encourage patio requirements in the construction of new streets and sidewalks and the permitting of new buildings.
C) Support a wide range of food retail in new and existing neighbourhoods to promote convenient pedestrian access to healthy food sources. i.
Investigate the impacts of placing restrictive covenants on grocery store sites and exploring the City's means to halt such practices.
ii. Enable fresh food kiosks and mobile markets to locate in or near "food deserts" and pedestrian traffic areas such as LRT stations, community centres and sports complexes. C) Continue to build on the success of street vendors, which could include: i.
Encourage more vendors to participate.
ii. Support the What the Truck Festival and/ or hosting a food truck day as an important and unique part of Edmonton's food culture.
5.6.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 6:
Enliven The Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities
A STRONGER,
Creating places that attract people for multiple reasons is good for business.
MORE VIBRANT
Supporting small business development in Edmonton, specifically in the local
LOCAL ECONOMY
food sector, helps to establish great food places. Neighbourhood-scale food retail increases geographic access to fresh food sources and provides more opportunity for more people to include fresh
A HEALTHIER, MORE FOOD-SECURE COMMUNITY
food in their diets. Having visible aspects of food such as edible landscaping and sidewalk patios as part of Edmonton's landscape increases exposure to Edmonton's food culture and helps to increase awareness about the health and joy that food can bring to individuals and families.
MORE ATTRACTIVE,
Food in public and semi-public places (e.g., streets, sidewalk patios) creates
VIBRANT, AND
more vibrant, attractive and unique places for Edmontonians and visitors.
UNIQUE PLACES
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fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.7 Food Waste & Recovery
strategic direction
TREAT FOOD WASTE AS A RESOURCE 5.7.1 CONTEXT Food waste occurs throughout the food system: excessive production, product deemed unfit for sale; excessive purchasing practices; spoilage due to delivery or purchase delays, inappropriate and ineffective processing resulting in quality portions wasted; damaged and lost food as a result of excessive transportation and motion throughout the food system. The biggest contributor to food waste in Canada is from households, driven by consumer behaviours that are often based on the lack of knowledge and understanding of basic food skills2. Changing consumer behaviour is a complex and lengthy process, but will ultimately require greater efforts to raise awareness and to provide information and education. Education and awareness can also help people identify opportunities to make the best use of quality food that is diverted from the landfill - also known as gleaning. The most appropriate use for quality food that isn't sold is to get it to people who are in need. This opportunity can be addressed using different approaches, whether a non-profit social service model, a business model, a social enterprise model or a combination of these approaches. Edmonton already has an award-winning waste management system. With curbside residential pick-up and composting already in place, the City has a unique opportunity to use its existing system to pursue greater excellence. This could include improving reduction of non-organic food waste, such as packaging, an expansion of current composting programs or exploring the business opportunities in producing energy from waste heat. By adopting initiatives to treat food waste as a resource, Edmonton can realize significant gains towards the goals and objectives of the Strategy and improve the lives of its residents.
2 http://www.valuechains.caidocuments/Food%2oWaste%2oin%2oCanada%2armilo.pdf.
5.7.2 RECOMMENDATIONS (7) Develop partnerships to assist in the redistribution of healthy, fresh and high-quality surplus food. These partnerships could include: 1.
Expanding and coordinating existing gleaning initiatives to provide comprehensive gleaning of surplus food from various sources, such as backyard gardens, urban farmers, fruit harvests and food retail and processing sources. The gleaned food would be redistributed to social service providers.
ii. Identifying and utilizing neighbourhood locations, such as the proposed Community Food Hub and community league facilities, where surplus food can be processed in a community kitchen and redistributed. iii. Developing more business opportunities for produce that is of good quality but does not meet the standards of existing retailers. (1) Develop partnerships and initiatives to utilize and reduce food waste. This could include: i.
Providing information and raising awareness on best practices for reducing food waste in households and businesses.
SECTION 5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Developing food waste tracking tools and systems to better monitor and divert food waste. Developing business opportunities with partners such as Northlands for food waste, such as recovering food for animal consumption, composting and energy recovery and generation, including the reuse of cooking oil and waste heat electricity. iv. Initiatives to reduce water usage throughout the food system. Take a leadership role in promoting initiatives to reduce the volume of packaging associated with the food system, including: i.
Gradually eliminating the use of disposable cups, cutlery and plates throughout City operations.
ii. Advocating for the use of recycled material and biodegradable packaging in commercial processing and packaging businesses.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.7.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 7:
Treat Food Waste as a Resource
GOAL
NK A STRONGER,
Like the recycling industry, the organic waste recovery sector may become
MORE VIBRANT
a business opportunity as environmental regulations become stricter and
LOCAL ECONOMY
demand for services and soil amendment increase.
A HEALTHIER,
By gleaning fresh, healthy, high-quality food from retail businesses, backyards
MORE FOOD-SECURE
and urban/pen-urban farms, good food can be made available to those in need.
COMMUNITY
Composting of organic waste provides essential soil amendments for urban HEALTHIER ECOSYSTEMS
and pen-urban agriculture operations. Reducing food-related packaging reduces waste going to landfill and also reduces the use of resources. Reducing and diverting waste means less greenhouse gas emissions from
LESS ENERGY, EMISSIONS, WASTE
decomposing waste, fewer trips to the landfill, and more efficiency in material flows.
5.8 Food Production
d rectio
'
SUPPORT URBAN FARMERS AND ECOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO FARMING 5.8.1 CONTEXT fresh supports growing more food closer to home. Having agricultural land within Edmonton is only one part of the equation - food growing needs farmers. Although conventional farmers may be aging and diminishing in number across Canada, we can take advantage of the growing interest in urban farming to encourage more young farmers. If we are to realize the goals of this strategy and make the best use of available agricultural lands in Edmonton, the emerging practice and profession of urban farming will need to be supported in a variety of ways. This will require collaboration among many groups and stakeholders, for example addressing regulatory barriers, bolstering the education and training available for urban farming, finding incentives to encourage more urban farmers, assisting with business development and supporting long-term commitments to farming. The advantages of encouraging urban farming within the City are not limited to increasing the availability of local foods, improving public health and strengthening the local economy. Well managed agricultural land can also provide a wide-range of ecological goods and services, including fuel, wildlife habitat, soil conservation nutrient cycling, air purification and stormwater treatment3. Agricultural lands are also beneficiaries of ecological services. Healthy ecosystems can provide soil renewal, climate regulation, plant biodiversity, nutrients and precipication3. Ecological services can also reduce the need for other inputs and investments, such as soil amendments and stormwater treatment facilities3. Last but not least, healthy ecosystems provide Edmonton residents recreation and leisure opportunities in scenic natural landscapes.
3
Zhang, W., Rickets, T., Kremen, C., Carney, K., Swinton, S. (2007). Ecosystem services and d is-services to agriculture. Ecological Economics, 64: 253-260.
SECTIONS • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.8.2 RECOMMENDATIONS C) Create partnerships with key stakeholders to provide education and training about ecological approaches to urban farming and urban agriculture in Edmonton, which could include: i.
Assisting in the establishment of an incubator farm where new urban farmers may receive mentorship and training in the technique and business of sustainable urban farming. Partnership opportunities could include the University of Alberta, NAIT, Northlands and the Province of Alberta.
C) Examine regulations and guidelines for urban and pen-urban agriculture, which would consider such factors as health and safety, buffers and transition areas, limits on chemical applications, noise, dust and odour, among others. C) Identify mechanisms to protect and maintain the healthy ecosystems that are connected to pen-urban agricultural lands. For example, in Edmonton pen-urban agricultural lands could provide ecological value as links to the River Valley system and natural areas.
C) Identify options for providing incentives to new and emerging urban farmers, including the possibility of leasing City-owned land to urban farmers.
5.8.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION
a: Support Urban Farmers and Ecological Approaches
60A1: - '' .---- —
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A STRONGER,
Urban agriculture provides entrepreneurial and job opportunities over
MORE VIBRANT
the long term.
LOCAL ECONOMY
A HEALTHIER,
• 0 •
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MORE FOOD-SECURE COMMUNITY
Fresh produce has the most nutritional content closest to when it is harvested, so local produce will provide more nutrient-dense food to Edmonton residents. More production in the city will also mean more access points to fresh local foods.
MORE ATTRACTIVE,
Urban agriculture is visible from the roads and highways around Edmonton.
OITIM
VIBRANT, AND
Local productive landscapes have high amenity value and are part of the
'IOW
UNIQUE PLACES
community identity and draw interest from residents and visitors.
MEM
Ak 4 W.
V.
HEALTHIER ECOSYSTEMS
LESS ENERGY,
0
EMISSIONS, WASTE
Environmentally responsible farm practices have a positive effect on the ecosystems in which they exist. These practices can include maximizing the ecosystem services that pen-farmland can provide. Growing produce closer to home can be more energy efficient because of a reduction in transportation costs and less packaging.
5.9 Food Production
strategic directio
INTEGRATE LAND FOR AGRICULTURE
5.9.1 CONTEXT Edmonton is an increasingly cosmopolitan, diverse and
opportunities for cost efficiencies and a lower ecological
urban municipality—which is one of our strengths. At
footprint per person. Population densities in cities also
the same time, this city is one of the few municipalities in
provide the markets to support businesses, which help
Canada with prime agricultural land within its boundaries.
attract and retain job opportunities and a labour force,
This reality presents a range of complexities for those
thereby creating community wealth.
who must determine how much agricultural land should be protected now and for the future, and where it should be located. One of the purposes of fresh is to assist City Council to make thoughtful, informed decisions with regards to its agricultural land resource and to evaluate land use plans and development proposals.
At the same time, a city's growth needs must be properly balanced in order to manage long-term costs and meet the needs of its population. Careful examination of the costs of providing community services must be factored into a municipality's long-term land use planning decisions. In Edmonton, the recent development of the suite of strategic
Central to the complexity of municipal land use decisions
plans known as "The Ways", signals City Council's intention
is the issue of growth and ecological footprint. Trying to
to begin addressing the complex challenges of growth and
understand a city's footprint requires a holistic systems
sustainability, in particular policies that encourage more
approach to account for all the factors that contribute to
compact and sustainable development forms.
consumption and growth, including land for energy, housing, food, industrial uses, commercial uses, and natural areas. Cities across Canada have been increasingly concerned with questions of sustainability and accommodating growth. There is no doubt that higher population densities in cities offer advantages such as economies of scale and the ability to support public transit, community services and other amenities. These advantages translate into
SECTION S • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
It is in this context of Edmonton's growth and ecological footprint that the complex issue of protecting agricultural land is embedded.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
The Value of Agricultural Land One cannot ignore the natural capital inherent in well-
goods and services and the potential to reduce food
managed agricultural lands. The ecological significance
waste and emissions from less transportation. Agricultural
of any land is measured by its ecosystem goods and
land that is accessible to citizens near an urban setting
services. Similar to the concept of economic capital,
also provides a broader cultural value that is tied to an
natural capital can provide a continued flow of ecological
understanding of our agricultural heritage and where our
goods in the form of food, minerals, fuel, forests and so on.
food comes from.
These natural assets can also provide services to us, like carbon capture, water treatment and supply, biodiversity,
Priority Areas for Edmonton's Growth
waste assimilation and soil renewal. We must recognize
Given Edmonton's high rate of urban growth it was perhaps
a responsibility for stewardship of these natural assets.
inevitable that the amount of available agricultural land
The consultation indicated that many people believe
within our city limits declined recently, mostly through
that prime agricultural lands should be protected given
conversion to residential, commercial and industrial
their inherent value, because "once gone, they cannot
development and for use in infrastructure projects such as
be returned".
Anthony Henday Drive.
In terms of the specific products or goods that can be
At the same time, farming has a tough time competing
provided by agricultural land, namely food, we know
financially with urban development. Some farmers don't
from the research undertaken for this project that
invest in their farms because of the lack of certainty over
approximately 70% of lands in the Urban Growth Areas
future land uses. Other farmers and landowners have sold,
have soils classified as prime agricultural soils, or CLI
or are planning to sell, their land to developers. In many
Classes 1 to 34. This represents less than one percent of
cases, the existing local context and development policies
the prime agricultural lands available in the Capital Region,
leave farmers with few options. This can create situations
though it is presently not clear what the future plans are for
in which where farmers sell their land for development
those regional lands. Currently in Edmonton, the largest
only to lease the land back while developers explore future
agricultural products in terms of growing area are the field
uses. This creates situations in which some farmers are
crops of canola, wheat and alfalfa4. However, the soils in
working the land and advocating for farm use, while having
the Urban Growth Areas have a high capacity for growing
chosen to sell it for development purposes.
a diversity of vegetable and fruit crops and therefore represent a high potential value for food production within
Edmonton has identified areas for future growth based
Edmonton boundaries.
on a number of key factors: where there is room to grow, where people can live near workplaces, where there can
In addition, it is important to recognize the emerging
be a choice of housing options, where cost-effective
interest and opportunities in the local food sector and
public transit can be developed, etc.
the potential value this brings to Edmonton. Producing more of our food closer to home has current and future
City Council has also sought to achieve more efficient
benefits including; a multiplier effect on local economic
"smart" growth by promoting compact urban forms,
development, agri-tourism opportunities in the food
In addition, the Capital Region Board's Growth Plan
sector, the health-related benefits and cost savings of
includes residential density targets, to ensure that land is
fresher food, the environmental benefits of ecosystem
used efficiently.
4
HB Lanarc-Golder. (2012). Agricultural Inventory and Assessment. City of Edmonton, Sustainable Development Department, September 2012.
Retaining agricultural land will impact the supply of land used for urban purposes such as housing, commercial and industrial uses, and infrastructure. Depending on scale, location and configuration, retained agricultural lands may also significantly affect infrastructure costs in an area, especially if services have to be built around agricultural lands. Long-term infrastructure cost decisions by the City must acknowledge these issues.
The Complexity of Issues The Strategic Direction to Integrate Land for Agriculture was the most difficult the Advisory Committee tackled. The Committee agreed that some prime agricultural land must be protected for future use and generations, and identified opportunities for more local production within Edmonton. At the same time, Committee members agreed that given the diverse interests represented across the Committee, it could not and should not, be the body to determine how much land should be protected versus developed in specific locations in the Urban Growth Areas. These decisions should be made through existing regulated processes by City Council. When the Advisory Committee was considering how to find a reasonable balance of land for growth and land for agriculture, there were a number of questions and factors were debated and discussed, including: o
How much farmland do we need in Edmonton to achieve the Goals of this Strategy - i.e. build food security and resilience, local economic development, realize environmental benefits, improve health, and create vibrant places?
o
What are the requirements for land to accommodate urban growth and how quickly will the land be needed for such purposes?
o
How do we balance a need for agricultural lands with the aspirations of the owners of those lands?
o
What are the long-term cost and revenue implications of protecting agricultural land versus developing the land for residential and commercial purposes?
o
If we are to protect some agricultural land, what type of farming and food production techniques would we like to encourage on those lands? Are there growing techniques and crops that are better suited to close proximity with urban areas? Are there techniques and innovations that allow us to produce more with less land?
o
What is the relationship between our agricultural land needs and those in the Capital Region? Can we rely on the productive farming areas outside the city or do they face similar complex challenges of balancing growth with ecological footprint, urban development with agriculture?
SECTION
5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Given the breadth of these variable factors, it is no surprise
Preliminary work and input by the Committee on a matrix
that that the question of establishing a well-informed,
of these types of key decision factors was provided to
principle-driven balance between retaining agricultural
City staff for their review and potential use. Appropriate
land and urban development remained challenging. The Advisory Committee responded by developing a framework for that ongoing decision making on these issues. This framework provides the tools that will help
metrics should reflect the values and goals of City Council and the policies in the suite of strategic and visionary plans adopted by the City. Additional example metrics can be found in Appendix 4.
inform the complex decisions for those elected to make them. It is City Council's role to consider all the interests, plans and priorities of the City and to weigh the implications of specific decisions, both costs and benefits, on proponents, taxpayers and a broad array of community, food sector, business and economic interests.
5.9.2 A FRAMEWORK TO INTEGRATE LAND FOR AGRICULTURE The framework below provides tools for working through decisions on integrating land for agriculture. This
The Advisory Committee indicated that the evaluation
framework includes key questions to be answered, a set of
of the implications for any agricultural land use decisions
principles and criteria, and a suite of possible mechanisms
in the Urban Growth Areas should consider the kinds of
that could be applied to protecting agricultural lands. The
factors, costs, and benefits that must be fully assessed in
framework may be used by City Council to work through
making those decisions. These factors would include a
the inter-related complexities of the types of land use
balanced and complete analysis of metrics over the short
decisions that come forward through Area Structure
to long term, such as:
Plans, Neighbourhood Structure Plans, and other
o
regulated pathways.
Infrastructure servicing costs added or lost (for example, water, stormwater, sanitation, utilities pipes)
o
Tradeoffs from other uses (for example, housing units,
This framework can guide, evaluate, strengthen and implement the agricultural component of land use policies
tax revenue)
and plans and large-scale development proposals. These
o
Land acquisition costs added or lost
tools will assist City Council as it considers the following
o
Costs of community services added or lost
key questions:
o
Value added or lost to the local economy
0 How
o
Number of jobs generated or lost
o
Value of ecological services provided or lost (for example, fuel, fish, wildlife habitat, soil conservation, nutrient cycling, air purification, storm water treatment)
o
Volume of locally produced foods gained or lost
much — how much agricultural land should be protected within the Urban Growth Areas?
10 Where — which lands should be protected and what form (pattern) should this protected agricultural land take? C) How — what are the most appropriate tools and mechanisms that the City should employ to protect lands for agriculture?
Principles for Integrating Agricultural Land in Edmonton's Urban Growth Areas The following principles should help guide the decisions about agricultural land use within the Urban Growth Areas:
o
Fairness - balance competing interests and respect
o
land should be based on clear and measurable
the rights of landowners
o o
Priority - prioritize the highest quality farmland
public benefits, and be consistent with other
for protection
City-wide objectives
Certainty - recognize that long term certainty and clarity benefits all land owners and potential investors including farmers, land developers and the City
o
Viability - create a supportive policy and regulatory environment for those wishing to farm or pursue urban agriculture such that it can flourish
o
Public Benefit - any decision to protect agricultural
Proximity - recognize that agricultural lands in close proximity to urban centres have special value and benefit, as do developable lands in close proximity to emerging industry and workplaces
SECTION 5 • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
o
Foresight and Adaptability - any decision mechanism to protect land should be based on our best estimate of future conditions and needs while recognizing that those future conditions cannot be known with certainty and therefore some flexibility is desirable
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Criteria for Integrating Agricultural Land in Edmonton's Urban Growth Areas The following criteria should be used when evaluating proposed land use plans (Area Structure Plans and Neighbourhood Structure Plans) within Edmonton's Urban Growth Areas. These are not "pass/fail" criteria, but rather act as entry points for evaluating and potentially improving land use plans and proposals.
Questions
Criteria
How much land should be protected in the Urban Growth Areas?
1.
Resources are available for the land to be acquired or secured using the available mechanisms, while adhering to the Principles listed above.
2.
The amount of agricultural land is compatible with other City plans and objectives.
Where and in What Form?
3.
These criteria should be applied when considering where the protected lands should be located and in what form (i.e. the agricultural land use pattern).
The proposed agricultural land includes the best, most productive farmland.
4.
The proposed agricultural land is contiguous with other pieces of agriculture land where possible,.
5.
The land is compatible with neighbouring land uses and potential land use conflicts are manageable.
These criteria should be applied to consider how much land to protect within City boundaries
6. The proposed land use pattern is cost effective to service and supports the growth direction and urban form that Edmonton wants in order to ensure long-term sustainable development. 7.
The proposal supports a diversity of urban agriculture/farm types based on the tools/mechanisms available.
8.
The proposed agricultural land considers impacts on ecological goods and services, such as protection of sensitive areas, wildlife, stormwater management and so forth.
9.
The agricultural land use proposal has taken into account the regional capacity and comparative advantage for similar agricultural use Emerging or alternative food production technologies, options and long-term costs have been explored
11. Impacts from major shocks and disruptions to the local food system have been considered How? (Ways to Acquire Land for Agriculture)
12. The proposed mechanism treats all land owners equitably.
These criteria should be applied to evaluate and select the appropriate mechanism(s) for acquiring agricultural land (see below).
13. It is legal and technically feasible (e.g., is possible under the Municipal Government Act). 14. It is timely to execute and minimizes uncertainty associated with lengthy acquisitions. 15. It is cost effective and efficient. 16. It provides a reasonable balance of certainty and flexibility.
5
This criterion recognizes that having contiguous areas of pen-urban farmland supports the principle of "viability" because farmers support each other and certain agricultural services that require critical mass to operate effectively. Other benefits to wildlife and recreation may also be derived from contiguous pen-urban farmland.
Mechanisms to Protecting Agricultural Land Adoption of the framework would entail an examination and testing of which mechanisms are the most viable, given the circumstances of particular land use scenarios and the legal context in Edmonton and Alberta. The mechanisms that might be applied could include, but are not limited to, the list below. For a complete description of these mechanisms, see Appendix 2.
ES
Mechanism Type
Specific Mechanisms Zoning and Land Use Designations
PLANNING MECHANISMS
Cluster Developments - integrating development with farmland Land and financial contributions from developers Community investment
MECHANISMS FOR FAIRNESS AND COMPENSATION
Transfer of Development Credits Land swaps Land Trust
MECHANISMS TO ENSURE LONG TERM PROTECTION
5.9.3
Conservation Covenants
RECOMMENDATIONS
(13 Examine establishing a municipal Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) designation to accommodate pen-urban farmland within Edmonton's Urban Growth Areas. This initiative could involve, but is not limited to: A. Developing a new land use designation in addition to other mechanisms to identify urban agricultural lands. B. Establishing an ALR that could include: i.
Privately held farmlands (where owners self declare). Provincial government lands as negotiated with the Province.
iii. Lands acquired by a land trust. C) Examine the costs and benefits of the following tools to secure agricultural land and report to City Council.
SECTION S • STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Creating, or partnering with, a land trust to acquire and retain urban farmland B. Transfer of Development Credits C. Community investment C) Adopt and apply the "Integrating Land for Agriculture Framework" to guide future decisions about agricultural land use in the Urban Growth Areas, evaluate land use plans and large-scale development proposals and implement such decisions. C) Work with the Capital Region Board to develop a regional agricultural land use policy. Taken directly from policy within The Way We Grow (10.1.1.3), this could include pursuing a regional food council and working to build relationships and interaction among a network of regional players and forces.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
5.9.3 LINKS TO GOALS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 9: Integrate
Land for Agriculture
GOAL
LINKS Community Wealth Creation: Local food and locally-owned food and urban agriculture enterprises are part of the foundations of a prosperous local economy. The local food economy represents over a billion dollars of economic activity per year. It supports tourism, as visitors look for local food to be part of their visit to Edmonton. Because local food enterprises are generally locally owned, the benefits flow more directly to the community. A STRONGER,
BUSINESS
MORE VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
Growing demand and opportunity: The demand for local food is outstripping supply. More and more food buyers are interested in the health, local economic development and environmental benefits of local food. Expanding the food production capacity within Edmonton can help grow this local food supply and demand. Agricultural Capability: Edmonton's Urban Growth Areas have some of the best soils in the province and favorable climatic conditions of moisture and temperature. This combination of conditions has proven to support a range of commercially viable agricultural products and practices. Soil is a non-renewable resource and it is almost impossible to replace once it is gone. Resilience and Foresight: Producing and processing some of our food
A HEALTHIER, i I* MORE FOOD-SECURE --•4111.e. -------i -------;COMMUNITY
locally makes us less susceptible to food price increases and food supply interruptions. Even if we are not intensively farming the lands today, conserving some agricultural land within the City is a prudent hedge against future changes in energy prices, food prices, climate, natural disasters and geopolitics which may impact the food supply.
MORE ATTRACTIVE, VIBRANT, AND NM/
UNIQUE PLACES
Vibrant places: Edmonton has the opportunity to become a great food city and world leader in food culture and resilient food systems. Local food production and harvesting is the foundation of the food system and the essence of any place that has a great reputation for its food and food culture. Environment: Producing and processing food locally can contribute to the
%I 0.4.• ...v.
HEALTHIER
conservation of valued green spaces and habitats and decrease environmental
ECOSYSTEMS
pressure elsewhere on the planet. Pen-urban farmland can provide multiple ecosystem services. Reduced energy use and greenhouse gas emissions: Producing and
0
LESS ENERGY,
processing local food closer to the point of consumption has the potential to
EMISSIONS, WASTE
reduce the amount of energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with travel as well as reduce the need for packaging.
ENACTING THE STRATEGY
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
60
Given the complexity of the issues outlined in this Strategy and the scope of the Goals and Recommendations, implementation will occur over time as the Food Council is established, partnerships are formed, research is continued, resources are allocated and progress builds towards results. As noted previously, the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy is not an endpoint, but a starting point. With that in mind, the Strategy does not provide a detailed implementation plan, but rather sets out directions for moving forward. The Advisory Committee recommends that the City initiate a more comprehensive implementation planning process in collaboration with the Edmonton Food Council.
6.1. Engaging Stakeholders and Potential Partners We have seen throughout the development of this Strategy
The City of Edmonton can also expect to forge partnerships
that Edmontonians possess an enormous amount of
with many stakeholders, in both the private sector and
enthusiasm and passion for this issue. The success or
public sector. These include, among others:
failure of this Strategy will certainly depend in large part on
o
whether it manages to engage Edmontonians. Citizens will need to be included in the process, and stakeholders should
o
land developers large-scale local, regional, national and international producers
continue to be consulted. These include, among others: o
farmers and processors
o
retailers
o
the Province of Alberta
Development Institute
o
the Government of Canada
o
other neighbourhood associations
o
educational and academic institutions
o
other groups with related interests
o
non profit organizations, such as Sustainable
o
citizens of Edmonton
o
media and food writers
o
the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
o
the Greater Edmonton Alliance
o
industry associations, such as the Urban
SECTION 6 • ENACTING THE STRATEGY
Food Edmonton
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
The critical question will not be so much understanding
by the Edmonton Food Council (EFC) and its members
who needs to be engaged—since we can generate that
and alliances. Certainly, all partners and stakeholders
information fairly quickly—but rather how they should be
will be encouraged to enter into the implementation of
engaged, and when. These are the questions that should
this Strategy understanding that it carries expectations
be addressed in a second-stage implementation plan
and responsibilities.
6.2. Oversight: Is It Working? The creation of the Edmonton Food Council will be a critical factor in both the short-term and long-term oversight and ongoing updating and renewal of this Strategy. IN RECOMMENDING THE CREATION OF THE EFC, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ALSO NOTED MANY FACTORS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT OF THE STRATEGY, INCLUDING THE SUGGESTIONS THAT THE EFC:
o
propose priorities and work plans to the City
O
provide advice on food and urban agriculture issues
O
identify emerging issues and potential solutions
o
monitor and report on progress of the Strategy
o
play a networking and connecting role between the many partners involved with implementing the Strategy
O
o
host community forums and undertake other forms of engagement and education on food and urban agriculture topics
The EFC will not be the only body overseeing the success of the City's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy. The City will track the efficiency of the Strategy's implementation, as should interested citizens, partners and stakeholders.
facilitate collaboration between City departments and linking the City to community partners
6.3. What Success Will Look Like Many of the Goals and Recommendations stated in this
We also know what success will look like by the stories that
Strategy will be measurable and it is recommended that
are told. We'll know our strategy is working if our citizens
City Council delegate to the proposed Food Council
tell us they have good access to fresh local foods, if we see
the role of working with partners to identify appropriate
prime farmland has been protected, if people who work in
measures for each of the Strategy's Goals and Objectives
the local food sector are succeeding, if farmers' markets
and to report progress against those metrics, and on the
and neighbourhood food activities are vibrant, if the great
Strategy's Recommendations, to Council on an annual
diversity of our culture is represented in the foods we buy,
basis. Examples of possible measures specific to each
cook and eat and if our new neighbourhoods grow and
Objective and Goal have been included as a starting point
evolve in harmony with a strong food and urban agriculture
in Appendix 4.
heritage. This is what success will look like.
•
CONCLUSION: EDMONTON'S FOOD AND URBAN AGRICULTURE FUTURE
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
7.1 CONCLUSION: Edmonton's Food and
Urban Agriculture Future What is the food and urban agriculture future of Edmonton? This was the simple question—with so many possible answers—that the Advisory Committee wrestled with throughout the creation of fresh; and it was a privilege to do so, given the strong feelings Edmontonians have about food and urban agriculture. The intent of this document is to support a systems approach to food and agriculture. This means that we understand each part of the food system and how it is linked to the others and that each element must be successful for the whole to properly thrive.
SECTION 7 CONCLUSION: EDMONTON'S FOOD AND URBAN AGRICULTURE FUTURE
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
The elements of that food system include preserving some
THE NINE STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS, WHICH FORM THE
prime agricultural land for farming, creating space for
BASIS OF ACTION FOR THE ENTIRE STRATEGY, ARE TO:
urban food production, creating access to local markets, stimulating consumer access to local produce as well
Establish the Edmonton Food Council
as awareness and excitement around that produce, and
C) Provide Food Skill Education and Information
reducing food waste. All of the above are fundamental
C) Expand Urban Agriculture
components of a successful urban food system and
C) Develop Local Food Infrastructure Capacity
fresh offers a vision and a plan around how to support each element and link them. No single aspect of the
Grow Local Food Supply and Demand
When every dimension of the food system is aligned and
C) Enliven the Public Realm Through a Diversity of Food Activities
integrated, we can create a genuinely resilient and thriving
0 Treat Food Waste as a Resource
local food culture. Early in the process the Advisory Committee laid out its
C) Support Urban Farmers and Ecological Approaches to Farming
five Goals for the future to create a stronger, more vibrant
0 Integrate Land Use for Agriculture
food system can, or should, be considered in isolation.
local economy; to foster a healthier, more food secure community; to create healthier ecosystems; to use less energy, and create less emissions and waste; and to create more vibrant, attractive and unique places. We then identified how these five Goals could be achieved through enacting the Strategic Directions and Recommendations.
The goal of the Advisory Committee was to create a strategy that is ambitious, balanced and achievable. If the Recommendations contained in the Strategic Directions are adopted, Edmonton will follow an integrated approach to creating capacity in every element of our food system. Given the growth of our city and the aspirations of our citizens, combined with the fundamental importance of food in our lives, there is great value to be found in this Strategy. It is a long-term agenda and will take many years to fulfill, but now is the ideal time for us to start.
68
APPENDIX I.
Glossary
The Glossary shown below is intended to provide working definitions of the common terms used in the development of the Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy. AGRICULTURE
The cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel and other products.
AGRI-HOOD
A concept from the City Centre Redevelopment project that integrates food growing spaces into a residential neighbourhood.
AGRI-TOURISM
Involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch, including buying produce direct from a farm stand, navigating a corn maze, picking fruit, feeding animals or staying at a bed and breakfast on a farm.
AGROFORESTRY
An integrated approach of using the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock. It combines agricultural and forestry technologies to create more diverse, productive, profitable, healthy, and sustainable land-use systems. A narrow definition of agroforestry is "trees on farms."
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES
Using waste heat or the digestion of organic matter to generate power and heat. Examples include using waste heat for greenhouses and generating power from processing agricultural residues.
AQUACULTURE
The hatching, raising and breeding of fish or other aquatic plants or animals in an urban setting for sale or personal use.
AQTJAPONICS
A closed loop system (e.g. water tank) containing plants and fish that share a symbiotic relationship, providing food and cleaning functions. A closed loop system is a self-sustaining system whereby wastes or outputs of one system element is used as a resource or input for another system element.
BUFFER
A strip of land or a fence between one use and another, which may or may not have trees and shrubs planted for screening purposes. A buffer is designed to set apart one use type from another. An appropriate buffer may vary depending on uses, district, size, etc.,
COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
Agriculture that is for commercial purposes. Commercial agriculture encompasses large to small scale farming operations.
COMMERCIAL KITCHEN
A type of food processing facility that has been certified by health and safety agencies and contains a range of standard and specialized equipment designed for large volumes.
COMMUNITY GARDENING
The practice of growing and raising food, either as a group or as an individual, in a shared garden space. Community gardens are often located on public lands or undeveloped private land and are the result of a group of people coming together to make land available for gardening. Community gardens often contain raised bed allotment plots, tool sheds, water access, public art and educational signage, among other features.
COMMUNITY KITCHENS A kitchen used for communal cooking and sharing of meals in a social atmosphere. Community kitchens can be health and safety certified and can provide space for food preservation and preparation classes and activities. Community kitchens are often provided as part of a community centre or other social amenity.
APPENDIX 1 • GLOSSARY
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
COMMUNITY ORCHARD, Like a community garden, community orchards and berry patches are located on public lands and provide and BERRY PATCH
edible landscapes that produce fruit for communal use.
COMMUNITYSUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)
A farming and food distribution model that consists of community members supporting a farm operation with a set fee at the beginning of the growing season, so that growers and consumers provide mutual support and share the risks and benefits of local food production. Members of CSAs then receive proportional shares in the annual output of the participating farm or farms. It usually involves weekly to monthly delivery of vegetables and fruit, and sometimes dairy products and meat.
DEMONSTRATION KITCHENS AND GARDENS
Kitchens and gardens that provide teaching and learning opportunities through demonstration (e.g. container gardening, cooking demonstrations) and are often integrated with other activities and spaces (e.g. within community gardens or centres).
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
The basics of life provided by natural systems and biodiversity, such as carbon sequestration, water absorption, decomposition of wastes, crop pollination, cleaning of water and air and nutrient cycling.
FARM/URBAN EDGE INTEGRATION
Planning and designing an urban/ farm edge that includes pathways, small market gardens, habitat areas, and other features to ensure compatibility between urban and farm areas.
FARMERS' MARKETS
Public markets that contain a wide variety of vendors and products including local farm produce, honey, meat, cheese and eggs as well as other made and baked food goods. Farmers' markets often operate in parks, streets and permanent facilities and are managed by non-profit organizations.
FARMLAND TRUST
A non-profit organization that acquires and holds farm land in trust and that has preserving farmland as all or part of its mission.
FOOD ACCESS
All people at all times have both physical and economic access to a healthy diet.
FOOD ASSET MAPPING
The practice of physically mapping the location of a range of food assets such as community gardens, local food restaurants, food trucks, food sharing centres, community kitchens, farmers' markets and festivals etc. Analysis on a range of topics can be undertaken based on this baseline information.
FOOD DESERT
An urban area or neighbourhood that has no, or grossly insufficient, access to healthy, affordable and culturally-appropriate foods for local residents.
FOOD FOREST
A low-maintenance sustainable plant-based food production and agroforestry system based on woodland ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables which have yields directly useful to humans. Making use of companion planting, these can be intermixed to grow in a succession of layers, to replicate a woodland habitat
FOOD HUBS
A food hub is a place (usually a building or cluster of buildings) that bring together a wide spectrum food and agriculture related activities with the overall purpose increasing access, capacity, visibility, and the experience of sustainable urban and regional food systems within a city. Food hubs can operate as purely commercial, public or hybrid entities.
FOOD MILES
The distance an agricultural product is transported from point of production to point of consumption.
FOOD POLICY
Any governance decision, plan or regulation that affects the way that food is produced, allocated, obtained, consumed or disposed.
FOOD PROCESSING
The transformation of food from its raw state into something that can be stored or eaten. It ranges from basic processing like grading and bagging fresh foods to developing highly refined and packaged foods.
FOOD PROCUREMENT
The process through which large institutions (e.g. schools, hospitals, and universities) purchase food that is served to a wide range of customers. Food procurement practices are often set-out in policy and contractual agreements with suppliers.
FOOD PRODUCTION
Farming and gardening practices that produce raw food products - fruits, vegetables, grain, legumes, meat, eggs, dairy products and fish.
CI
70
FOOD RECOVERY PROGRAMS
Programs, often led by community organizations, to redirect good and healthy food products considered surplus or not marketable by food industry standards to food programs who redistribute it to individuals and households in need. Food recovery programs are also known as gleaning programs.
FOOD SAFETY
Adherence to rules to ensure that food is handled, prepared, and stored in ways that prevent contamination of food by bacteria, viruses and parasites. Common causes of food-borne illnesses in Canada include Red Tide, Listeria, Salmonella and E. Coli. The Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada are the primary regulators of food safety.
FOOD SECTOR
The range of food-related businesses including farms, ranches, fishing operations, food product manufacturing, farm and food product wholesaling and distribution, food and beverage stores, and food and beverage services.
FOOD SECURITY
Physical and economic access by all people at all times to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active, healthy life. Food security includes at a minimum the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods (approximately 2,000 kilocalorie/day/capita); and an assured ability to acquire foods in socially acceptable ways (e.g. without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies).
FOOD SYSTEM
The sequence of activities linking farming/growing, processing, transporting, distributing, celebrating, and recovering food waste in the context of larger natural, social, political, and economic driving forces. Food systems exist on multiple scales: local, regional, national and global. Food systems are defined by the geographic , political, economic, environmental, and social contexts they exist in.
FOOD TRUCKS
Mobile kitchens serving a wide-range of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack foods. Food trucks often have temporary licenses to operate in high-pedestrian traffic areas. In many cities, food trucks have become an important business incubator and enhance the food experience.
GLEANING
The practice of harvesting food that otherwise might go to waste and channelling it to humanitarian agencies and/or businesses.
GREENHOUSE GAS OHO EMISSIONS
Components of the atmosphere that contribute to the "greenhouse effect." Some greenhouse gases occur naturally, while others come from activities such as the burning of fossil fuel and coal. Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
HYDROPONICS
The cultivation of plants in a nutrient solution rather than in soil.
INCUBATOR FARM
A farm that is managed in a way to provide resources for mentorship and incubation of new farm businesses.
LIVEABILITY
The sum of the factors that add up to a community's quality of life, including the built and natural environment, economic prosperity, social stability and equity, educational opportunity, and cultural, entertainment and recreation possibilities.
LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY
The economic repercussions of food produced or processed within a particular geographic boundary. For this document, local food refers to food grown within a 600 km radius around Edmonton. On the production side, it consists of all businesses involved in producing, harvesting, distribution and retailing of food products. On the consumption side, it includes households, restaurants, grocery stores and institutions (such as hospitals) which provide and or sell food to people as part of their operations.
LOCAL FOOD INFRASTRUCTURE
The facilities such as processing plants, warehouses, permanent farmers' markets, green grocers and community kitchens among others that enables the local food economy to function.
LOCAL MULTIPLIER EFFECT
The concept that the initial spending or investment in a product or service will lead to more consumption that generates more spending. Often associated with the idea of spin-off industries.
MARKET GARDENS
The practice of growing a range of fresh produce, herbs and other foods for selling to restaurants and other food markets.
MOBILE MARKETS
Non-permanent, mobile markets provide fresh produce and other foods in convenient locations such as transit stations and business districts.
APPENDIX 1• GLOSSARY
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
MUNICIPAL RESERVE
A council may, through the Municipal Development Plan, require that a parcel of land or a part of a parcel of land that it owns or that it is in the process of acquiring be designated as municipal reserve, among others including school and environmental. The aggregate amount of land that may be required for the MR under may not exceed io% of the parcel of land.
NON-SOIL BASED FOOD PRODUCTION
The practice of using other mediums such as nutrient-reinforced water to grow plants and fish. Examples include hydroponics, aquaponics, aquaculture and vertical growing.
PERI-URBAN
Refers to areas that are immediately adjoining an urban area, between the suburbs and rural areas.
PERI-URBAN AGRICULTURE
The practice of farming in areas on the urban edge predominantly tailored for serving urban markets. These areas are iteratively shaped by how cities grow and expand into surrounding areas.
PLACEMAKING
A design strategy to create public spaces that are attractive, interesting, and vibrant. Architecture, landscape, and connectivity to surrounding areas play an important role in placemaking.
POCKET MARKETS
An alternative retail marketing arrangement for connecting urban consumers with local food producers. Pocket markets are often situated in small areas and provide fresh food for sale. This can be managed by a community organization or small business.
PUBLIC GOOD OR BENEFIT
In economics, a public good is something that is essential for human survival that should be available to all members of society without charge, and is not reduced in availability to all by one person's use of it. Air is the purest example of a public good.
PUBLIC REALM
Publicly-owned streets, sidewalks, rights-of-ways, parks and other publicly accessible open spaces, and public and civic buildings and facilities.
RESILIENCE
The ability of a system to absorb disturbance or undergo change in response to external forces while retaining its basic structure and function.
ROOFTOP GARDENS
Areas on rooftops of commercial, institutional, industrial, and other buildings that support food production in some form.
SHELTER BELT
A buffer strip of vegetation to shelter fields from high winds that remove topsoil. Shelter belts can provide habitat and ecosystem services.
SOIL AUGMENTATION
The practice of increasing the amount of topsoil that is replaced in the landscape of newly constructed homes.
SPIN FARMING
A vegetable farming system, usually in urban settings, that makes it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in size. It is considered non-technical, easy to learn, and inexpensive to implement. It stands for Small Plot Intensive farming.
SUPPLY CHAIN
The activities that transform natural resources and raw materials into a finished product that is delivered to the final consumer. In a conventional supply chain, competition along the supply chain acts to maximize the financial return.
URBAN AGRICULTURE (UA)
Urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in and around towns and cities. It involves applying intensive production methods and (re)using natural resources and urban wastes to yield a diversity of crops and livestock. Urban agriculture could be undertaken in backyard gardens, rooftop gardens, community gardens and urban farms.
VALUE-ADDED
A process through which raw goods are refined into a range of products that are then distributed to a range of restaurants and food retailers.
PROCESSING VERTICAL GROWING
Growing food in stacked trays, on green walls or through other systems to increase growing efficiency in small spaces. Hydroponics is often used in vertical growing systems.
ZONING
Zoning is a method by which municipalities regulate the use of land and built forms that may occupy that land. The Edmonton Zoning Bylaw describes in detail the land uses and built forms that are allowed on a specific property, the regulations by which these uses can operate and the physical characteristics of the built forms that may house those uses. Changes to the Zoning Bylaw require approval by City Council.
n
APPENDIX 2.
Mechanisms
Adoption of the framework would entail an examination and testing of which mechanisms are the most viable, given the circumstances of particular land use scenarios and the legal context in Edmonton and Alberta. The mechanisms that might be applied could include, but are not limited to: PLANNING MECHANISMS Zoning and Land Use Designations Some communities have taken steps to protect and
zoning would remain "Agriculture" or possibly a new
preserve their agricultural land resources by designating
agricultural zone applied to allow a broader range of food
land for agricultural use in community plans and
and agricultural related uses.
zoning bylaws. Non-farm uses are often restricted to agricultural purposes.
Cluster Developments — integrating Development with farmland
If this mechanism were used, lands for agricultural
Cluster Development (also known as Conservation
ensure that the land is only developed and used for
preservation would be selected based on the principles
Development) groups together mixed use and/or
and criteria. An "Agricultural Land Reserve" designation
residential development in higher density formats to
would be applied in the ASP. This would signal that these
protect the remaining area as open space. The open space
lands are intended for long-term agricultural use. The
could be protected for farmland, ecological conservation and recreational uses.
MECHANISMS FOR FAIRNESS AND COMPENSATION Land and financial contributions from developers One method for obtaining agricultural land is to request
Reserve lands would be made available for urban
that developers contribute non-credit Municipal Reserve
agriculture. One of the potential benefits to developers
lands. These lands would be over and above the amount of who contribute non-credit Municipal Reserve is that this Municipal Reserve lands typically required by the City for may provide a marketing advantage to attract buyers who a proposed development plan. The non-credit Municipal APPENDIX 2 • 1.4ECHP.NI3MS
desire an area with an urban agriculture amenity.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Land Swaps and Transfer of Development Credits
MECHANISMS TO ENSURE PERMANENT PROTECTION
Some cities allow for the transfer of development credits (TDC). This provides an incentive for residential and
Farmland Trust
commercial development to occur on less productive
Farmland trusts are not-for-profit organizations that
agriculture land, by directing it toward areas that
provide long term preservation of farmland and ranches.
are already built up or to lands that are less valuable
They receive farmland through donations or land purchases
agriculturally. While fairly new to Canada, TDC-type
and hold the land in trust for the public benefit. The
programs have been used in the United States for
farmland is leased out to farmers. They can also utilize
almost 50 years6 (Canada West Foundation, 2012), and
covenants (see below) to ensure that the land is always
provide a means by which farmers can receive financial
used for farming. Farmland trusts can provide education
compensation for protecting their land from development.
and resources for farmers and the general public. Trusts
The program works by allowing developers to take the number of units (or "credits") that they would be allowed to build on a parcel of agricultural land (called the "sending area") and add them to the number of units they are
can operate at local, provincial and national scales.
Conservation Covenants A conservation covenant is a long-term commitment
allowed to build in another area, such as an existing
to stewardship of private land by a landowner and
residential community (called the "receiving area").
a conservation organization or government agency
The developer does this by purchasing credits from the
(covenant holder). It is a voluntary, written agreement that
landowner. Following this, the owner of the agricultural
allows for the permanent protection of desired qualities in
land signs an agreement (covenant) protecting the land
an area (either all or part of a parcel of property) according
from future development in perpetuity (Canada West
to the terms of the covenant. The covenant holder can
Foundation, 2006). In general, sending areas have low real
enforce the covenant if the landowner does not follow
estate prices with increasing development pressures, while
its terms. This form of land protection is possible without
receiving areas are able to absorb the additional costs
requiring the landowner to part with their land, and runs
imposed by the TDC program in order to increase density
with the land title for all future owners of the land in
(Canada West Foundation, 2012).
question, making the protection permanent. Landowners can receive significant tax benefits when granting a
Community Investment Given the significant and emerging community support in Edmonton for the local food sector, there is considerable opportunity for a model to emerge that allows for community to invest in agricultural lands. This could take many forms, for example using crowdfunding models, creating community bonds, fundraising campaigns, social enterprise funding, cooperatives, and direct contribution from interested investors.
6
In the United States, the term given to this program is "transfer of development rights" (TDR), however because the Canadian Charter of Rights does not include property rights, the term "transfer of development credits" (TDC) is more appropriate in the Canadian context (Canada West Foundation, oo6).
conservation covenant on their land. (Hillyer & Atkins, 2005). Programs like this are also called Agricultural Easements and Conservation Easements.
113 APPENDIX 3.
Alignment with The Ways
The following table indicates how the
VISION: Edmonton has a resilient food and agriculture
Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
system that contributes to the local economy and the
intersects with the City's strategic plans - The Ways
overall cultural, financial, social and environmental sustainability of the city
APPENDIX 3
• ALIGNMENT WITH THE WAYS
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Goals:
WAY AHEAD
WAY WE GROW
WAY WE LIVE
WAY WE GREEN
WAY WE MOVE
WAY WE PROSPER
Food and agriculture in Edmonton will contribute to: A STRONGER, MORE VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY
Food and agriculture in Edmonton
contribute more signihcantly to the creation of community wealth. There are more jobs and business opportunities in the local food and agriculture sectors, As
Livability Principle excerpt
Goal— Supporting Prosperity
Economic prosper* Suatainable economic employment and lifelong learning opportunities that build on the skills and contributions of its diverse local and global workforce.
Edmonton, Alberta's capital city, is home to an innovative and diverse business environment that fosters economic development and supports prosperity
Goal: Ensure Edmonton's Financial Sustainability, Corporate Measure - The City has balanced revenue streams that are sustainable Goal: Diversify Edmonton's Economy, Corporate Measure - The City supports the development of high potential sectors
a result, Edinontonians have more opportun iTies to buy, share and enjoy local and regional food.
Policy 3.2.1.2 Ensure there is sufficient land available to sustain economic opportunities. Policy &LTD Support neighbourhoodoriented commercial corridors and local economic development initiatives through the Business Revitalization Zones. Policy 6.3.1.7 Build infrastructure and provide services to support land development, goods movement and ongoing business operations. 64.1.8 Initiate and participate in strategic economic development initiatives involving government and industry to capitalize on opportunities for industrial growth. 6.3.1.52 Plan new and older industrial areas to be pedestrian friendly, include active transportation linkages, recreational opportunities, ecological connections and other facilities and services that serve industrial workers and contribute to environmental and social sustainability. &tea Maintain Edmonton's key role In the Capital Region as a centre for innovation, wealth creation and business and employment opportunities by ensuring a sufficient supply of land for new business and industrial growth. 8.15.4 Cooperate with the Region's municipalities to attract economic activity to the Region. 8.1.5.5 Cooperate with the Region's municipalities to build local economic capacity in the region including agriculture and agri-food Industries. 0.2.2.2 Recognize that the scope of intermunicipal planning interests may include:- Regional assets, such as the Edmonton International Airport, Alberta's Industrial Heartland, Port Alberta, environmentally significant areas and the regional economy and agricultural areas. 10.1.1.5 Assess the economic development potential in agriculture and food related Industries to identify key opportunities and challenges for expansion of these companies and businesses.
APPEHDIX 3 • ALIGNMENT WITH THE WAYS'
Strategic Policy Direction The City of Edmonton:
Strategic Action The City of Edmonton:
6.3.3 Partners to encourage innovation and improved productivity.
32.0 Evaluates and understands the hill potential of its statutory tools and those of other orders of government (regulations, taxes, and licenses), applying them and/or lobbying for their use to achieve The Way We Green's sustainability and resilience goals.
6.3.6 Promotes a diverse, vibrant local and regional economy. 6.3.to Facilitates economic development in communities and neighbourhoods.
6.7.1 Encourages economic development in sectors that are not energy intensive. 6.7.2 Encourages economic development that adds value to Alberta's fossil fuels production.
Strategic Objectives Da The City will work with other jurisdictions, the Province and external service providers to ensure that Edmonton has a safe and efficient goods movement network that connects and Interchanges well with other facilities. pa The City will work with neighbouring municipalities as part of the Capital Region Board to facilitate and implement a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated transportation system that supports the city and Capital Region's mobility, accessibility and economic vitality.
There are five outcomes (approved by City Council in March zoit) envisioned for the economic development strategy: • The City supports a competitive business climate and delivers business friendly services. •
facilitates he development of established City businesses and sect
• The City supports the development of high potential sectors. • The City attracts talent and investment making it nationally and internationally competitive • The City is an effective participant in regional partnerships and collaboration.
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD
Goals:
WAY AHEAD
WAY WE GROW
WAY WE LIVE
Food and agriculture in Edmonton will contribute to.
healthier, more food secure ;.
A
community Everyone in Edmonto has access to enough nutritious., safe and culturally-approprioui: food. People have more opportunities
Livability Principle excerpt:
Goal— Food and Urban Agriculture
Access &Affordability: The ability of people of all incomes to have access to affordable housing, food, transit and core social services. The recognition as well that the affordability of arnenities affects the overall competitiveness of the city in attracting and retaining residents.
Edmonton bass resilient food and agriculture system that contributes to the local economy and the overall cultural, financial, social and environmental sustainability of the city.
Goal: Improve Edmonton's Livability, Corporate Measure - Complete collaborative communities that are accessible, strong, and inclusive with access to a full range of services
to learn about and participate in the local food system by growing, buying, and celebrating. Local Food is more accessible to everyone and individuals, families and communities are encouraged to grow, prepare, preserve and. purchase local food.
Policy 5.8.1.9 Seek innovative design approaches to reflect and embrace the culture of Edmonton's new and emerging minority groups. 6.5.1.5 Work with Alberta Health Services to foster health services and citizen health across Edmonton.
Strategic Policy Direction 'The City of Edmonton: 2.1.1 Provides, partners and advocates for leisure, social and recreational opportunities. 2.1.2 Provides recreation, leisure and social programs to meet the diverse needs of Edmontonians. 2.5.1 Builds upon its tradition of festivals and events for allseasons and ages. 2.6.5 Partners with other organizations to host events and performances. 3.1.1 Provides and partners to deliver services and programs to vulnerable populations. 3.1.4 DeEvers programs and services in response to changing needs and best practices. 3.2.1 Provides, partners and advocates for resources for preventive social services. 3.2.2 Partners with community organizations to increase access to preventive services. 3.2.4 Promotes innovative community initiatives to strengthen the capacities of vulnerable populations. 4.3.3 Partners with regional municipalities to protect the basic public health needs of Edmontonlans and Capital Region residents. 4.3.5 Advocates for and develops public health policy and programs. 6.1.4 Provides enhanced FeSOLDECC and services to high needs communities. 6.2.8 Partners to educate Edmontonians about the importance of a common fry food nerwork.
APPENDIX 3 LLICIZNSENT WITH THE WAYS
WAY WE GREEN
WAY WE MOVE
URBAN AGRICULTURESTRATEGY
WAY WE PROSPER
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD
Goals:
WAY AHEAD
WAY WE GROW
WAY WE LIVE
WAY WE GREEN
Food and agriculture in Edmonton will contribute to:
HEALTHIER ECOSYSTEMS
Food and agriculture systems positively : contribute to the overall health and ecosystem services , that green spares ' provide. Areas of high biocliversity,
Livability Principle excerpt Environment: An environment that is sustainable for current and future generations through responsible social, fiscal and environmental practices, Clean air and water, access to local food supply and the healthy co-existence of natural and urban environments.
environmental sensitivity, and ecological sign i EC+ are protected. Food-
arid agricultural areas are managed to support wildlife habitat. conserve water use, and are
environmentally benign or restorative,
Policy 3.2.1.6 Prevent premature fragmentation of agricultural lands in the urban growth areas prior to urban expansion. Policy 7.1.1.2 Acquire and manage the most ecologically sensitive areas in Edmonton. 7.1.1.3 Develop procedures to support, encourage and promote innovative ways to acquire, preserve and maintain natural areas and connections on private and public lands, such as land swapping, easements, buffers and bylaws. 7.1.1.4 Determine appropriate buffer areas around the periphery of natural areas identified for protection. 7.1.1.5 Acquire critical natural linkages and buffer zones to ensure natural areas of ecological value remain sustainable within an urban context. 7.1.1.6 Act proactively to acquire ecologically sensitive and environmentally valuable land in the North Saskatchewan River Valley where necessary. 7.1.14 Public projects, now neighbourhoods and developments will protect and integrate ecological networks, as identified in the Natural Connections Strategic Plan, by adopting an ecological network approach to land use planning and design. 7.1.1.9 Work with the Capital Region Bound and adjacent municipalities to acquire, protect and restore natural systems and linkages, recognizing that Edmonton's ecological network Is part of a larger regional network (see Map ry:NaturalAreas and Watenhed Sub-Basins). 7.1.1.s3 Utilize urban agricultural lands to complement and enhance biodiversity. linkages, habitat and the overall heahh of Edmonton's ecological network, its air and water quality, and its people.
APPEMDIX 3 • !...LIGN M ENT wrrn TUE WAYS
Strategic Policy Direction The City of Edmonton:
Strategic Actions The City of Edmonton:
6.2.9 Promotes sustainable urban agricultural practices.
3.1.9 Adopts a leadership position in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and other local authorities to implement the Plan of Action on Sub-national Governments, Cities, and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (Section X/22 Convention on Biological Diversity).
6.2.11 Promotes the use of the highest environmental standards through a civic culture of environmental planning, conservation, preservation and protection.
3.3.54 Establishes, implements, and maintains policies requiring biodiversity offsets to compensate for trees and wetlands that are lost as a result of the approval of Land Development Applications. 3.3.19 Manages Edmonton's ecological network effectively, working collaboratively with other conservation agencies.
WAY WE MOVE
URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
WAY WE PROSPER
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Goals:
WAY AHEAD
WAY WE GROW
WAY WE LIVE
WAY WE GREEN
Food and agriculture in Edmonton will contribute tor
LESS ENERGY, EMISSIONS AND WASTE The food an agriculture S.
are highly energy efficient and generate little waste. These Systems reuse waste heat, agricultural by and food tousles to
Innovation Principle A planning approach and operational culture within a municipality Clint encourages and enables continuous improvement and the exploration and adoption of new techniques, technologies, products and ways of openating in order to improve results and lend progressive change. Sustainability Principle Urban planning takes an integrated, holistic view of urban environments and defines sustainabllity in the context of interrelated ecosystems encompassing economic, social, environmental and cultural sustainability. The principle of sustainability includes financial sustainability, ensuring urban planning recognizes and addresses resource constraints and capacities
create alternative renewable energy as an advantage for local organizations and businesses. Less solid waste and air pollution are generated during the producing, transporting, distributing, marketing, packaging. eating, and recycling of food.
Policy 6.3.1.n Support ace-industrial relationships by facilitating cooperation between businesses on site and design, shared facilities and services and interchanges of energy and products. 6.5.1.4 Encourage development of research facilities in partnership with educational and research institutions and companies.
Strategic Action The City of Edmonton: 6.4.1 Acknowledges the risk of peak oil and responds to It with strategies that reduce Edmonton's carbon footprint and shorten supply chains that rely on inexpensive fossil fuels. 6.4.3 Establishes, implements, and maintains a Renewable Energy Plan detailing the renewable energy options and corresponding transition strategies that are best for Edmonton. 64.1 Actively studies, tests, and adopts new energy technologies that reduce the City's dependence on fossil fuels and energy consumption. 64.2 Encourages and assists community partners to explore, test, and adopt new energy technologies that will reduce Edmonton's dependence on fossil fuels and energy consumption. 6.0.3 Encourages the growth of Edmonton's renewable energy industry. 8.1.2 Influences and supports other orders of government and industry to reduce packaging and design products that do not require disposal. 8.1.3 Uses Incentives, education, and partnerships to increase the non-residential sectors' participation in waste reduction. 8.2.2 Achieves a landfill diversion rate of go per cent for residential waste by continuing to focus on recycling, composting, and recovery through the waste-tobiofuels facility. 8.2.3 Attracts private sector Companies and partners that process waste into reusable and marketable products. 8.2.8 Collaborates with the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence to attract research and technology demonstration projects that advance Edmonton's position as a world leader in sustainable waste management.
APPEISDIX 3. 41.1C1:10:ENT WITH THE H eSS
WAY WE MOVE
WAY WE PROSPER
_fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD
Goals:
WAY AHEAD
WAY WE GROW
WAY WE LIVE
Food and agriculture in Edmonton will contribute to:
MORE VIBRANT, ATTRACTIVE AND UNIQUE PLACES
Food and agriculture create and contribute to vibrant, attractive, and unique places for Edmontonians and visitors. Public and private spaces are
Livability Principle excerpt • Welcoming place: Residents are active and engaged in urban life. People feel safe, connected and alive in a vibrant urban centre that values its people, places and activities. • Public spaces: ublic spaces are generous, magnetic, transformative and alive with activity. • Diversity: Parks, recreation, arts and cultural events meet the rich diversity of citizens, the result of productive partnerships between residents and the city in creating projects and programs.
designed to use food and agriculture as a way to enhance the local food culture, celebrate food, and animate and enliven shared spaces. Visitors in Edmonton appreciate and experience the local food culture. Food growing, processing, buying, selling, and eating places are considered at the netghbourhood level.
APPEMDIX
3
ALIGNMENT WITH THt WAYS
Policy 4.2.1.3 Accompany residential density increases with enhancements to public spaces and the provision of additional open spaces and amenities, if required. Policy 5.1.15 Take a leadership role In facilitating the creation of environmentally sustainable neighbourhoods, buildings and public spaces and encourage private sector approaches to environmental sustainability. Policy 5_2.1.8 Identify and encourage the creation of key pedestrian streets in each quadrant of the city to provide a focus fora wallable urban lifestyle. 5-2.1.9 Support neighbourhood commercial centres as community focal points by encouraging small scale residential and mixed use redevelopment and the inclusion of plazas and other social gathering spaces. 6.2.1.5 Encourage the Introduction of residential uses and community facilities in the redevelopment of older shopping centres to achieve a mix of uses. Policy 6.2.1ao Revitalize older commercial areas within existing neighbourhoods in association with the Great Neighbourhoods Initiative. 7.5.3.3 Integrate indigenous vegetation, specifically low-maintenance drought tolerant species, and where feasible include edible plant species into City and private landscaping. 10.5.1.6 Establish guidelines for integrating urban agriculture into public realm and private improvements and developments. 10.11.7 Collaborate with communities, landowners and other organizations to identify potential areas to develop temporary or permanent urban agriculture activities.
Strategic Policy Direction The City of Edmonton: 2.1.3 infrastructure and public spaces to promote and encourage healthy and active living, 2.2.5 Partners with community organizations to enliven, enhance, maintain and protect parks and green spaces.
WAY WE GREEN
URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
WAY WE MOVE WAY WE PROSPER
The following policies of The Way We Grow are related to food and agriculture and should be noted, but they do not fit neatly into the five goals:
The following strategic actions of The Way We Green are related to food and agriculture and should be noted, but they do not fit neatly into the five goals:
3.2.1.7.1
The City of Edmonton:
Preparation of Area Structure Plans is authorized for the Northeast,
Southeast and Southwest Urban Growth Areas (see Map 1: Land
7.1.1 Collaborates with citizens and stakeholders to establish, implement, and
Development Concept), and shall only be approved following Council
maintain a Food Resiliency Strategy for Edmonton, aimed at addressing
acceptance of, and adherence with the:
food security risks that Edmonton may face from climate change, high
o Growth Coordination Strategy;
energy prices, increasing world population, geopolitical disturbances, and other price pressures. The strategy will address Edmonton's food system
o Integrated Infrastructure Management Plan: and
in its entirety — production, processing, storage, transportation, buying,
o Citywide Food and Agriculture Strategy. 3.2.1.8
Area Structure Plans for the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest
Urban Growth Areas (see Map 1: Land Development Concept) shall
selling, eating, and waste management. The City of Edmonton: 9.2.1 Leads the community by example, adopting and applying high standards
include the following:
of sustainability in City operations that reflect the high standards it wishes
o
An area vision created with area landowners and other city
to encourage throughout the entire community, including the "greenness"
stakeholder groups;
of buildings it owns and leases, vehicles it operates, infrastructure it
o
A pen-urban agricultural section in support of the Food and
builds and maintains, resources, it uses, contractors and suppliers it hires, programs it delivers, and organizational culture it fosters.
Agriculture Strategy; and o
Innovative approaches to food systems, ecological networks, green infrastructure provision, demand reduction strategies and eco-design
organizations together to create a culture of collaboration that values
for future residential, commercial, industrial, business, agricultural and
innovation, sharing of resources, and shared accountability.
natural uses. 3.2.1.9
9.2.2 Brings government representatives, community members, and
9.2.3 Participates in international networks that promote global sustainability.
Any Area Structure Plan prepared for the Northeast Urban Growth
Area shall recognize the value of its agricultural characteristics, including
9.2.3 Participates in international networks that promote global sustainability.
micro climate, soil capabilities and moisture content, to contribute to
9.2.4 Engages the community in developing action plans that support The Way
sustainable food and agriculture systems for Edmonton. 3.2.1.11
Neighbourhood Structure Plans within the Northeast, Southeast
We Green. 9.2.5 Facilitates the building of a strong community network that connects
or Southwest Urban Growth Areas shall require Council authorization
sustainability-minded citizens, organizations, and leaders for the purpose
and comply with the Growth Coordination Strategy, the Integrated
of sharing, learning, and partnering.
Infrastructure Management Plan, and the Food and Agriculture Strategy 9.2.6 Recruits community leaders from all sectors to help lead Edmonton's drive for sustainability and resilience. 9.2.7 Partners with individuals, organizations, and communities to achieve Edmonton's sustainability and resilience goals. 9.2.8 Coordinates its efforts with other local sustainability educators to ensure Edmonton's sustainability education effort is aligned, efficient, and effective.
9.2.9
Ensures that the terms of reference for City boards and authorities contain sustainability and resilience goals where applicable
APPENDIX 3
• r.uaawran WTtH THE WM'S
,fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
APPENDIX 4.
Example Metrics
GOAL
OBJECTIVE
HOW WE COULD MEASURE THIS?
The local food economy generates wealth for Edmonton's community
• Value added to the local economy (3) • Annual sales of locally produced products (3) • Economic multiplier analysis ($ rate)
0,.
A STRONG ER, MORE VIBRANT LO CAL ECONOMY Food and urban agriculture in Edmonton contribute more significantly to the creation of community wealth, There are more jobs and business opportunities in the local food and agriculture sectors. As a result, Edmontonians have more opportunities to buy, share and enjoy local and regional food.
A HEALTHIER, MORE FOOD SECURE COMMUNITY Ilk --.11.11110b. -----.--.'-----".'''.. ..,,•,... '---
Everyone in Edmonton has access to enough nutritious, safe and culturally-appropriate food. People have more opportunities to learn about, and participate in, the local food system. Local food is more accessible to everyone and individuals, families and communities are encouraged to grow. prepare, preserve, purchase and celebrate local food.
There is adequate food processing, storage, and distribution capacity for a range of business sizes and scales
• Amount of capacity for food processing, storage, and distribution (sq ft) • Number of businesses using this capacity • Volume of activity in processing, storage, distribution facilities (sales 5)
There are many job and business opportunities in the local food and agriculture sectors
• Number of jobs generated In local food and agriculture sectors(FTEs)
A greater proportion of Edmonton's food basket is grown/raised, prepared, and processed closer to home
• Percentage of locally produced foods consumed annually in Edmonton
A wide diversity of food types are grown and prepared locally
• Number of different local products produced annually
A consistently growing number of Edmontonians have the food skills to provide good nutrition to themselves and their families
• Number of participants completing food skill programs in Edmonton (collective kitchens, cooking courses, nutrition courses, etc.)
Consumers have easy access to local food
• Annual per household spending on local food ($)
• Number of new local food related businesses (annually)
• Volume of locally produced foods (Kgs)
• Number of local food options accessible within walking distance (Km/Min) The food system is part of and enhances the local ecosystem
• Area of natural areas affected by farming (Km°)
Food production reduces reliance on synthetically manufactured agrochemicals by relying on ecological methods of soil building and pest management
• Amount of petrochemical inputs in local food production (Litres)
Food producers provide and are connected to wildlife habitat.
• Value of ecological services provided by local farms ($)
Our food system uses less non-renewable energy and generates less greenhouse gas emissions
• Analysis of ecological footprint of local foods (Tons Coz)
Food waste is minimized and bio-energy options are explored
• Amount of food diverted from waste (Kgs)
People may easily connect to food and agriculture assets, activities, and resources
• Number of participants in local food and agriculture related activities.
Food has a strong presence in the public realm
• Number of visible food related landmarks in Edmonton
Food makes Edmonton more livable, and interesting
• Number of neighbourhood and community destinations and gathering places related to local food
Edmonton is known for its food culture
• Number of neighbourhood and community destinations and gathering places related to local food
HEALTHIER ECOSYSTEMS V: .., ..•
The local food and urban agriculture system positively contributes to the overall health and ecosystem services that green spaces provide. Areas of high biodiversity, environmental sensitivity, and ecological significance are protected. Food and urban agricultural areas are managed in ways that support wildlife habitat, conserve water use and are environmentally sustainable.
LESS ENERGY, EMISSIONS AND WASTE
0
The local food and urban agriculture system is highly energy efficient and generate little waste. The food system reduces dependence on non-renewable energy, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, alternative renewable energy is used, such as energy generated from agricultural by-products and food wastes, which are also composted to improve soil quality. Less solid waste and air pollution are generated during the producing, transporting, distributing, marketing, packaging, eating, and recycling of food.
• Amount of energy consumed by local food system (Calories?)
• Number of times information portals related to local food are accessed.
MORE VIBRANT, ATTRACTIVE, AND UNIQUE PLACES • 'MOW
Food and urban agriculture create and contribute to vibrant, attractive, and unique places for Edmontonlans and visitors. Public and private spaces are designed to use food as a way to enhance the local food culture. celebrate food, and animate and enliven shared spaces. Visitors to Edmonton appreciate and experience the local food culture. Food growing, processing, buying, selling, and eating places are all accessible at the neighbourhood level.
APPENDIX
5.
Links to Consultation
and Info rmation
1. Establish the Edmonton Food Council 2. Provide Food Skill Education
STRATEG IC DIRECTIONS
0 Establish the Edmonton Food Council (EFC) by June 1, 2013
X
X
0 Explore the creation of an Edmonton Food Charter
MDP
0 Provide appropriate supporting resources to the EFC
X
X
0 Work with the Edmonton Food Council and various partners (such as Northlands, the University of Alberta, NAIT, and others) to provide multiple learning opportunities on key food and urban agriculture topics and initiatives
X
X
0 Work with partners such as Northlands to enhance existing capacity for information sharing amongst the many organizations, businesses, agencies, and institutions involved in food and urban agriculture
X
0 Create a single portal for a wide-range of food and urban agriculture information and education.
X
0 Assess and map Edmonton's food system assets
X
0 Support mentorship and training for urban agriculture
X
APPENDIX 5 • LINKS TO CONSULTATION
Other
X
..4
Public Opinion Survey
Citizen Panels
RECOMMENDATION
Stakeholders II
REPORTS ... to i. 1 141 4.01 0
X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Infras tructure Capacity
4. Deve lop Local Food
0 Develop partnerships to support innovation in urban agriculture
X
0 Support for-profit and pen-urban agriculture activities 0 Examine opportunities for citizens to keep bees and raise hens
X
0 Assist in improving neighbourhood-scale food infrastructure
X
Public Opinion Survey X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
0 Request that the Edmonton Food Council examine local food system resilience
X
0 Create partnerships to strengthen and diversify the local food
and Demand
X
X
X
0 Pursue partnerships with private business and other economic agencies and examine establishing a commercial/private sector Agri-Food Hub
Citizen Panels
Stakeholders II
0 Pursue urban agriculture opportunities in existing and developing neighbourhoods
0 Assist in creating appropriate spaces and opportunities for local food businesses to operate and expand
5. Grow Loca l Food Supp ly
STRATEG C DIRECTIONS
3. Expand Urban Agriculture
RECOMMENDATION
Stakeholders I
REPORTS
0 Strengthen Farmers' Markets
X
0 Increase local food purchasing within City of Edmonton operations
x
0 Work with the Province of Alberta and other industry stakeholders to develop a made/raised/grown-inAlberta identification system
X
0 Pursue partnerships with non-profits and other agencies (e.g. Community Food Centres Canada) to examine establishing a public sector Edmonton Community Food Hub.
X
X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
X
I.
CD ..14 ... o
8. Support Urban Farmers 7. Treat Food and Ecological Waste as a App roaches to Farming Resource 9. Integrate Land Use fo r Agriculture
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
6. Enliven the Pu b lic Realm Through a Diversity of Foo d Activities APPENDIX
X
C) Pursue partnerships with non-profits and other agencies such as Community Food Centres Canada to establish a public sector Edmonton Community Food Hub.
X
X
X
C) Examine City regulations to allow, where appropriate, permanent and temporary sidewalk patios
X
X
X
C) Support a wide range of food retail in new and existing neighbourhoods to promote convenient pedestrian access to healthy food sources
X
X
X
C) Continue to build on the success of street vendors
X
X
0 Develop partnerships to assist in the redistribution of healthy, fresh and high-quality surplus food
X
X
X
X
X
C) Develop partnerships and initiatives to utilize and reduce food waste
X
C) Take a leadership role in promoting initiatives to reduce the volume of packaging associated with the food system
X
X
X
0 Create partnerships to provide education and training about urban farming and urban agriculture in Edmonton
X
X
X
0 Identify options for providing incentives to new and emerging urban farmers, including the possibility of leasing City-owned land to urban farmers.
X
X
X
0 Examine regulations and guidelines for urban and pen-urban agriculture
X
X
X
0 Identify mechanisms to protect and maintain the healthy ecosystems that are vitally connected to pen-urban agricultural lands
X
X
X
X
C) Examine the costs and benefits of creating, or partnering with, a land trust
X
X
X
0 Adopt and apply the "Integrating Land for Agriculture Framework"
X
X
X
Reserve (ALR) designation
0 Work with the Capital Region Board to develop a regional agricultural land use policy.
5 • LINKS TO CONSULTATION
o
Public Opinion Survey
Citizen Panels
0 Celebrate and promote local food producers, community gardens, and food grown, raised and made in Edmonton
ÂŽ Examine establishing a municipal Agricultural Land
;...a) 4 4-.
-
Stakeholders I
RECOMMENDATION
REPORTS . :-., api ,04 14 .....,_, cf) -40
MDP
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy would not have been possible without the contributions,
el%
support and commitment provided by thousands of Edmontonians who participated in the consultation process. Thank you.
THIS REPORT IS THE RESULT OF A STRONG COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BY A DEDICATED GROUP OF MANY. PARTICULAR THANKS ARE DUE TO:
HB Lanarc-Golder Centre for Public Involvement
Margaret Bateman
Curtis Gillespie
Evaluation and Research Services, University of Alberta
City of Edmonton
REMARK Amign
THE CflVOF Edmonton
fresh. EDMONTON'S FOOD & URBAN AGRICULTURE STRATEGY
Cover letter from Peter Ohm
Summary & Evaluation Criteria
Edmonton's fresh Approach to Urban Agriculture
Letters of Support Mayor Stephen Mandel & Centre of Public Involvement
fresh: Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy
Engagement Samples Posters from Three Public Events Copies of the Food Blog
E DMONTON
FOOD in the CITY Food Policy • Food Systems • Urban Agriculture Join us for a launch of Edmonton's Food and Agriculture Project Saturday May 28, 2011 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Enjoy a showcase of local organizations 12:00 noon Formal Welcome and Presentations o Mayor Stephen Mandel o Councillor Dave Loken o Janine de la Salle of HB Lanarc and co-author of Agricultural Urbanism Seed give-away during event Dr. Wilbur McIntyre Park near the Strathcona Farmer's Market (104 Street and 83 Avenue) For information, phone Mayja Embleton, 780-944-0124 or email FoodandAg@edmonton.ca www.edmonton.ca/FoodandAg
@friOnton
TRANSFORMING EDMONTON BRINGING OUR CITY VISION TO LIFE
TRANSFORMING EDMONTON BRINGING OUR CITY VISION TO LIFE
Come join us at Food in the City as we explore the place of urban agriculture in our city, and how we can build a resilient local food system. You are invited to the Food in the City conference, a celebration of the innovative and groundbreaking work being done in our city to help build a resilient local food system. If you would like to learn about the latest research and best practices on food and agriculture issues, talk to some local food experts, play a part in promoting Edmonton as a leader in innovative municipal food and agriculture policy and initiatives, and hear details of a preliminary draft strategy, then come join us! Highlights of the conference include the Taste of Alberta evening reception and keynote speaker Wayne Roberts, author of the No Nonsense Guide to World Food and former manager of the Toronto Food Policy Council. Friday Afternoon May 25th ea all day Saturday May 26th Shaw Conference Centre, 9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta Cost: Early bird price $175.00 (until April 30th). After April 30th the price is $225.00. To register or for more information go to: www.edmonton.ca/FoodandAg or contact FoodandAg@edmonton.ca
CditiOnton
Closing the Food Gap Thursday, September 13 Art Gallery of Alberta 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square 12:10 to 1:00 pm Presentation Ledcor Theatre (Lower Level) Learn how to reconnect with your food, health and land by going beyond eating local food. Become a part of a larger sustainable food community that can sustain not just our bodies but also our souls. Please note that food is not allowed in the theatre. 7:00 to 9:00 pm Panel Discussion Lobby (Main Level) A panel of experts will be discussing audience-submitted questions regarding food, food policy and how these can create a healthier and more sustainable Edmonton. Panelists: Mark Winne - author Ea food policy expert www.markwinne.com Jennifer Cockrall-King - author E.a local food advocate foodgirl.squarespace.com Kathryn Lennon - Volunteer Organizer, Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op www.mchb.org Kevin Kossowan - local food blogger www.kevinkossowan.com Moderator: Mack Male - local food blogger mastermaq.ca Please stay for a "pop-up tea house", celebrating the mid-autumn moon festival. This will include a tea pouring ceremony, refreshments and music by Chilean guitarist/singer Gerardo Sebastian Barrera De la Torre.
Both these events are free. However, registration is required for the evening session. Please register at http://twwg.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact laura.milroy@edmonton.ca.
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Food and You by LARRY RETZIAFF on 04/11/2012
We want to encourage a broad community conversation about food in the city. So every week until our Food in the City conference (May 25-26. 2010 we are going to offer up a "juicy" question about food and agriculture. This week's question starts the conversation by asking about the importance and value of food in our lives.
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Go Ahead. Share Vow Passion! In discussions about our work on the Food and Agriculture Project, we are often asked why we are doing this work. There are many reasons of course, but one obvious reason why this work is so important is because food is so fundamental to our lives.
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Beyond this basic truth we have also learned that food can be complex. To some, food is a cultural expression or a way of life; to others food is tied to household or business finances; for many the priority may be on how food nourishes their bodies and provides nutrition for their children; and yet others will value how food brings them together with their friends and family socially.
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Ruby Durango 04/12/2012 at 9:36 am I'm human and will admit I can't always say no to the salty, crunchy cravings. I will give in and have a plate of french fries or a bag of chips and dip. I can't deny myself completely. Overall, though, I want healthy, organic foods 90 % of the time. Eating out is very rare. I'd rather cook at home. And I've been known to eat vegetables and salads for days because that's what I enjoy the most. And that's why I love the farmer's market and my neighbourhood H & W Produce store. Family members have even been known to run in to buy me a basket of veggies because they know that's my treat. So, overall, I want more vegetables and local meats (over processed foods scare me). And everything tastes better with lemons! I panic when there's no lemons in the house.
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Backyard Coops please 04,/12, 2012 at 9:41 am I want my food to come from local, sustainable and environmentally safe sources. In 2012 we're way beyond hairy-fairy notions of being one with the earth. The benefits of urban agriculture are economically and scientifically proven. Let's get a plan together that promotes urban agriculture in a fair and safe way. We want chickens!
Ke17111 04/12/2012 at 9:47 am
To me, food is key to health & culture. It's too bad the coming conference will be excluding so many in that important discussion via the high ticket price. But I'll be there â&#x20AC;&#x201D; looking forward to it.
Kathy 04/12/2012 at 1:53 pm It is important that food is local and organic. It should also be affordable for everyone. GMO's and pesticides should be a thing of the past. It is important that I am as self sufficient as possible with my food. I want to grow, harvest, can, freeze, dry whatever I can. I want to be able to grow my own protein as well. Backyard chickens for their eggs and/or meat should be the right of every human being. Not everyone
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joan gagnon 04/14/2012 at 5:55 pm you'd love Yuma, where lemons are $2.00 for to lb bag.
Louise 04/22/2012 at 9:34 am I agree. I would love to go to the conference, but it is about double what I could reasonably afford. Hope that there are lots of people who share similar ideas to my own who are able to go.
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We want to encourage a broad community conversation about food in the city. So every week until our Food in the City conference we are going to offer up a "juicy" question about food and agriculture. Last week we started the conversation by asking about the importance of food in our lives. This week's question digs a little deeper to explore one of the more obvious and important aspects of food: nutrition and health. In many of the comments from last week's post we heard that nutritious and healthy food is important to people. What we often find, however, is that what "nutritious" and "healthy" mean depend very much on who you're talking to. For example, there's the debate between organic versus non-organic, or having to choose between locally grown versus non-local food. Which is the healthier and more nutritious choice? There are also the variety of diets to choose from — whole foods, vegan, raw foods, paleo diet, low carbs, wheat free, dairy free, sugar free and so on. And there are all those ethnic foods that we love and are important to us.
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We can also consider the broader issues: does healthy mean healthy for me as an individual or healthy for the planet, or both?
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Okay, we probably won't have this debate over eveiy meal. But we'd like to hear what you think.
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So, our question to you this week is: What does "nutritious and healthy food" mean to you?
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, 23,/ 2012 at 8:08 pm Kevin 04/
I think you make a great point about healthy for the person eating it, and for the environment producing it. Both are extremely important. In my mind, the conversation around food that's good for your health is well beyond what is nutritious or not. That conversation has shifted to how foods are produced. An apple is nutritious, for example, but the sprays most have on them are perhaps not. Beef can be nutritious, but CAFOs bring ecoli to the party from time to time, putting into question the healthfulness of this otherwise healthful food. 'Local food' just means 'from nearby', and is only a small part of the health conversation around food, as these other issues around production methods that essentially scare and gross people out are currently holding the trump card. REPLY
Nadine
04/25/2012 at 10:05 am
What does CAFO stand for, Kevin? REPLY
Kevin
04/26/2012 at 6:15 am
r-O"'" f1 11 40.111 1 1
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation REPLY
Anita
04/24/2012 at 5:07 am
Eat Fresh, Eat Clean, Eat Local. Healthy needs to take in consideration of both the person and the planet. It is like the climate change issue â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if we can't breath the air, it is going to kill us, and it's long term effects on the climate is irrelevant. If we kill the planet with our growing practices, including wasted resources on lawns, we are all dead. Better a permaculture approach, where soil building and food from every yard is vital. REPLY
Laura
04/24/2012 at 6:51 am
Nutritious and healthy food is nutrient-dense, minimally-processed, and fresh. Often that requires that food be grown locally, in fertile soil, such as we have near Edmonton. Nutritious and healthy food is free from interference by corporate interests. Nutritious and healthy food is fundamental to physical and mental health,
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Green Food: Connecting Food and Ecosystems
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Last week's question was the healthy food question that explored nutrition and health.
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What became obvious from all the thoughtful rommentR that were shared on last week's post is that health means more than just personal health. So, taking a cue from our
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ecosystems.
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There are some common assumptions that we are hearing more and more these days
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around food and the environment. Local food is greener. Eat less meat (particularly
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the planet. There seems to be a lot of evidence to support these kinds of claims. affect our ecosystems.
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beef) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Organic food is better for our bodies and However, we can't help but wonder how we can be sure about how our food choices will
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Let's say, for example, that I really like how avocados add nutrient value and taste to my
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meals, and my dietitian even recommends them for my particular dietary needs. How can I be sure whether my love for avocados is a green food choice? After all, avocados
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but they're coming from so far away. And how about my favourite summer barbeque
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choice — burgers? I know, eating less meat is supposed to be the greener choice, but if I get the local organic beef I should be good, right? Or is consuming less meat still greener than consuming local organic meat?
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about how my food choices also impact the planet!
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Laura 05, / 01, 2012 at 6:30 pm The best food choices for healthy ecosystems are those that least disrupt that system's natural rhythm. In as much the natural ecosystem in the Edmonton area is already highly disrupted, the best food choices in the City are those that require low levels of input, chemical or otherwise â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in other words, food that is raised in accord with the principles of permaculture, and on land that is available to be put to such use. Edmonton has a strong permaculture movement that is actively transforming lawns into gardens. Edmonton could further encourage this type of activity by making more unused areas available to community gardens, by allowing people to raise eggs and honey for themselves, and by keeping valuable growing areas zoned as such. REPLY Go to City
Mary 05/02/2012 at 11:14 am My efforts in choosing and consuming food are local first, organic second. As this post points out, the relatively lower impact of organic can quickly be eliminated if that food item is corning from the other side of the world. I also wonder how the nutritional value of the food declines as it travels over those thousands of kilometres. I'm new to Edmonton, so not only am I looking forward to starting my own backyard garden, I can't wait to discover and experience the many local farmers' markets that appear to be on offer here. Supporting local growers and ranchers in turn supports a healthy, robust agricultural and food system, and what better benefit to consumers than knowing exactly where your food comes from?
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Ainy 05/02/2012 at 12:05 pm Foods that are best for the local food system include foods grown locally in a sustainable way. Whether they be fruits grown by Edmontonians picked by OFRE volunteers who then share the fruit with the community, or cormnunity gardens, or local farms raising grass-fed beef. There are some great local choices out there for
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The Local Food Economy by _},i3gy RETLAFF on 05/07/2012
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We want to encourage a broad community conversation about food in the city. So every week until our Food M the CilT conference we are going to offer up a "juicy" question about food and agriculture.
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explored the connection between food and healthy ecosystems. We received great comments that lead to a wonderful image of Edmontonians as healthy people living in healthy ecosystems, buying and eating healthy food.
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We're talking about everything from farming, processing, getting the food to the table, storing and warehousing, selling, marketing, cooking, and managing the waste. All of the opportunities in the various parts of the local food economy could create long-term jobs and community wealth for people in Edmonton and the region. Assuming this might all be true, then local food could add a lot of value to Edmonton.
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This would seem to translate into a growing demand for local foods here in Edmonton and beyond. As the demand for local continues, the opportunities for local jobs and businesses grow.
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But we're not sure if there is a line up of entrepreneurs out there wanting to get into the local food market. When's the last time we saw a potential farmer on Dragon's Den?
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So, our question to you this week is: What work or business opportunities would you be willing to pursue in the local food economy? Join the conversation, post your comments, and share what you are thinking with others!
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Janelle
05,30,2012 at 10:02 pm
My husband and I grow 6o acres of vegetables in Northeast Edmonton and we make a good living doing it. Our land was made available to us by my parents, we have a microclimate here that allows for us to have a longer growing season and we have access to water via the north saskatewan river for irrigation. It is the perfect spot to grow food and our land has been growing food for decades. Young people often inquire about how to enter the local food economy and they are very interested in what we do. Because the land speculation in the Northeast, the price of land is very high, I believe if the northeast lands are protected for growing food, the risk of making large farming investments would lower and young people would see the industry as more viable. The good land is foundational for growing food, if it was protected I really believe, the rest would fall into place, people will move in and start growing food. Right now the proposed ASP has a highway going right through my land and it is preventing me from making infrastructure investments. How can the local food economy grow if the land is not protected? What makes my buisness viable is my proximity to markets,local labour and water and fertile soil perfect for growing food. As for dragons den? I have seen farmers on there! I haven't been on cause I haven't been strapped for money. Janelle Herbert Riverbend Gardens Go to City of Edmonton's photostream
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Antony
06/03/2012 at 7:09 pm
Does anybody know what the 1. zoning bylaws & 2. health regulations that help promote or prevent urban agriculture in Edmonton? REPLY
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We want to encourage a broad conummity conversation about food in the city. So every week until our Food in the City conference (Mv_95-26 2,m 9.1 we are going to offer up a "juicy" question about food and agriculture. Last week we touched on the local food economy. We wanted to see what work and business opportunities in local food our readers would be interested in pursuing. We're going to push a little deeper this week and explore the extent to which we're willing and/or able to walk the talk when it comes to buying local food.
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We may choose to buy local food based on our values, but many of us will need to make trade-offs either in our budgets or in the time and effort it takes to get to local markets where local food is available. How big a priority is local food for us, and what do we have to give up in order to make local food the priority we say it is? Can we walk the talk? So, our question to you this week is: Are you able and willing to pay the cost to buy local? What are you prepared to do, what changes do you need to make in your life to make the purchase of local food a top priority?
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As we have seen in previous posts, when it comes to food, many say the importance of making the local food choice is critical. For more and more people, local food is becoming increasingly valued.
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One of the common challenges we face in our daily lives is to find a balance between what we believe is ideally important and valuable, and what is achievable within our abilities, time and income.
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Laura 05, /17, 2012 at 7:56 am It is unclear what is meant in this question by "local food". The question presumes, as well, that local food is necessarily more expensive than imported food. However, that is not always true. There is a lot of fresh food available at farmers' markets that is not more expensive than the older food at a chain grocery store.
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Further, although in some cases local food is, on a simple cost per pound basis, more expensive than imported food, local food is often a better value because it is fresh and less processed. In that sense, local food can be the smart option. The focus should not be about what changes citizens need to make in their lives to make local food a priority. The focus should be on what the City of Edmonton can do to facilitate citizen access to local foods. REPLY
A 05/17/2012 at 8:36 am Agreed!!!! Why do we buy our tomatoes and cucumbers with a Mexico sticker on them..? REPLY
Paul Buhler 06/19/2012 at 5:43 pm What is wrong with providing employment for Mexican farmers? Plus why is it assumed that imported food is processed more than local food. REPLY
Travis Kennedy
05,/17, 2012 at 8:34. am
I agree, the question is posed within a "pay to play" framework. There are upwards of loo community gardens within the City limits. Many of these gardens ask for very little financial investment. To eat local, folks only need to explore the diversity of options available. Perhaps municipal vacant land could be made available for lease to small businesses and residents within Edmonton. For fifty years this very program was administered through the Edmonton Horticultural Society. Perhaps it is time once again for interested Edmontonian's to be able to secure their own local food supply.
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