food spaces, vibrant places
TRANSCRIPT
Food Spaces, Vibrant Placesa policy advocacy campaign of the
Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable
by Marc Xuereb, Public Health Planner
for Sustain Ontario
March 25, 2015
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• We don't eat enough nutritious foods, and we eat too
many non-nutritious foods
• Obesity "epidemic": more than 50% of Waterloo
Region's population is overweight or obese
• Incidence of diet-related chronic diseases (e.g.,
diabetes) is increasing
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Why does Public Health care about
a Healthy Food System?
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• Ontario Public Health Standards require us to engage in
health promotion and policy development, including with
municipalities
• potential to make a great impact on the health of the
population: policy can create environments which enhance
or limit the choices individuals make, thereby making it
easier for individuals to make the healthiest choice possible
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Why does Public Health do
advocacy?
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• Research issues and trends
• Build capacity of community groups working for change
• Cultivate networks and partnerships with community groups, businesses, other Regional departments
• Develop Regional government policy
• Develop, implement, and update a food system plan
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Public Health as facilitator and
catalyst of a healthy food system
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• Research issues and trends
• Build capacity of community groups working for change
• Cultivate networks and partnerships with community groups, businesses, other Regional departments
• Develop Regional government policy
• Develop, implement, and update a food system plan
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Public Health as facilitator and
catalyst of a healthy food system
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• Research issues and trends
• Build capacity of community groups working for change
• Cultivate networks and partnerships with community groups, businesses, other Regional departments
• Develop Regional government policy
• Develop, implement, and update a food system plan
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Public Health as facilitator and
catalyst of a healthy food system
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Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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2009
Region of Waterloo Official Plan (ROP)
2011-2013
Municipal Official Plans
2014 - 2016
Zoning By-laws
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Timeline
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• Supporting Advocacy on Municipal Official Plans
(January 2013)
• Planning for Food-Friendly Municipalities in Waterloo
Region (August 2013)
• Submitted grant proposal to Heart and Stroke
Foundation's Spark Community Advocacy fund
(November 2013)
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Research, Planning
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• Developed an advocacy strategy
• Recruited and trained volunteers
• Developed outreach materials
• Created social media campaign & online petition
• met with municipal Councillors and candidates
• Celebrated!
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
What did the Roundtable do?:
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What is the problem we are trying to solve?
• Too few people have walkable access to healthy
food options in Waterloo Region
• PH Side note: Food Deserts
vs. Food Swamps
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
Advocacy Strategy
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How will we address the problem of
access to healthy food options?
• support more temporary farmers’ markets and
community gardens in Kitchener, Cambridge
and Waterloo.
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Why is this important?
• Food Spaces Matter
• Food Spaces Make us Healthy
• Food Spaces Create Vibrant
Neighbourhoods
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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What are the current barriers or
challenges?• Temporary farmers' markets are currently only
permitted in commercial zones that allow retail uses,
many of which are restricted to indoor use.
• Community members often face the challenge of finding
land within walking or transit access of where they live,
work, and play when trying to start a community garden
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Campaign Goals?• Zoning by-laws that permit temporary farmers’ markets in
residential, institutional, open space, as well as commercial
zones
• Supportive licensing by-laws and regulations for temporary
farmers’ markets
• Incentives such as reduced or waived fees for temporary
farmers’ markets
• Zoning by-laws that permit community gardens in residential,
institutional, and open space zones
• Strengthened community garden policies
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Volunteers• Recruited from almost every ward in each of the 3 cities
• Matched with ward Councillor and candidates
• Attended outreach events, markets
• Training, resources, and support
• Review and evaluation of the project
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Outreach Materials• Website:
http://www.wrfoodsystem.ca/foodspacesWR
• One-page leave behind for Councillors and
candidates
• Postcard
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Online Petition• "Submit" sent email to City Councillor, Mayor, and all
declared candidates for the Ward and Mayor asking for
their support in creating supportive zoning by-laws
• Promoted through e-blasts, social media
• Petition forms at outreach events
• Target: 500 signatures
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Social Media
@foodspacesWR
foodspacesWR
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Meetings with Councillors
Candidates• Share campaign message
• Share importance of access to healthy food concerns
• Share action plan: what they can do
• Gain support
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Results• 570 petition signatures
• Meetings with 26 candidates for Council
• Attended 18 outreach events and markets
• Gained support from over 50% of elected officials;
many spoke publicly of their support during campaign
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Results• City of Waterloo included temporary farmers' markets in
updated licensing by-law
• Invited to give early input to comprehensive review of
zoning by-laws in the City of Kitchener
• Cambridge invite came in
February 2015
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Next Steps• Working group
• Review updated comprehensive zoning by-laws
• Recommendations
• Presentations to Councils
Food Spaces,
Vibrant Places
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Marc Xuereb
519-575-4400 ext. 5872
www.wrfoodsystem.ca/foodspacesWR
Thank You!
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