Kaslo Food Security

Aimee WatsonNorth Kootenay Lake

Food Security Coordinator

Who we are

• Kaslo & Area D• Income- less than

provincial average• Economic forces-

challenged resource industries

• Rurally challenged

Kaslo & Area D, BC

Former Farming Mecca

•Produced large amounts of fruit•Supported by Agriculture Canada•Land now sits idle

Meadow Creek, BCPhoto by: Gail Spitler

What Happened?•Diseases •Railroad dismantled•Small lot agriculture was replaced by a global food system

The last viable orchard: Kootenay Joe JuicePhoto: Gail Spitler

Why food security?

• 1 day of fresh food available if trucks are cut off•28% of Kaslo median income would be needed to meet Canada Food Guide recommendations

First step: Food Forum

• Community food assessment

• Setting ground for direction

•Recommendations

Kaslo Food Forum- 2006

Since Then.....

• 15 grants• $187,500 in short term

grants• six community

consultations • 10 ad-hoc food security

initiatives • $22,000 in donations • $22, 970 from our Bulk

Buying Club• AccreditedEntrance to Kaslo Food Hub

Current Programs

• North Kootenay Lake Food Cupboard

• Baby Supplies Cupboard

• Kaslo Bulk Buying Club• Tool Library• Community Root

Cellar

Current Programs ….continued

•West Kootenay Food Directory•West Kootenay Farmland Database•Community Kitchen Program•Food Resource Library•Feeding Families Not Bears

FundersCommunity Food Action Initiative (Interior Health)

Union of BC MunicipalitiesKairos

Eco ActionColumbia Basin Trust

Regional District Central KootenaysGaming

Kaslo Community Forest SocietyDASH

How: Start with EngagementYear One:•Education & Dialogue•Building awareness •Building networks•Food Policy•A constant state of engagement

Farmers to Farms Event

Then: Action!• Five lawns turned into food producing gardens•Demonstration garden •Community garden, composting, preserving, and cooking classes•Produced the movie “Planting the Seeds”

Measuring ImpactsGHG reductions:

•45 tonnes

Water saved: •over 14 million litres

Organics diverted from landfill: •1180Kg

Inputs reduced (chemicals & fertilizers):

• 4500 KgLawns to Gardens Winner: Tara Gray

Apprentice: Jasanna DobbynGardener Extraordinaire: Lyndsay Romaker

Building Skills & Knowledge

•Could we grow enough diversity to meet dietary needs?•A centralized contact for growing and processing information

Quinoa

Painted Mountain Corn

Research: Could We Be Food Secure?

•How much land available?•Over 7000 hectares are in the ALR for area D•However, only 885 hectares are arable•With .524 hectares per person needed, we could provide enough calories for 65% of our population

Johnsons Landing Homestead

Gail Spitler

So, are we food secure now? No

•Food Cupboard use is increasing•Backyard & community gardening does not meet total needs •Costs continue to rise•Choices diminishing

Food Cupboard Bins

Capacity

Grist Magazine July, 2011

Without Farmers: There is no Food Security

•We have lost 6 farmers since we began

•10 acres of prime land listed for $900,000

•Farmers average net return ranges from -$133 to a maximum of $5, 422

Lofsted Farm, Kaslo

Without Support- there are no Farmers

•In 2005, 54% of the $2.8 billion in governments payments went to farms with revenues over $250,000 •Financial support for farmers making $5,000 a year: $0

New farmer: Kate Murphy

Tools for a Viable Local Economy•Localized distribution channels•Regulations design for small scale agriculture •Infrastructure•Agricultural Extension services

Vince McIntyre :First Bulk Buying Club Farmer

Community Food Centres & Food HubsA one stop shop for: •education,• access, •marketing and value added activities

Accreditation provides:•Stamp of approval•Process & procedures that meet set standards

Sustaining Ourselves

Barriers •Constant grant seeking•limited market•Regulations

Recommendations•Increase KBBC•Fruit Product •Reduce overhead with

service fees

Agriculture & Charity

Farmers & Women's Institutes•Fall fairs•Bulk sales•Networking•Education•Administration