SUSTAINABLE,  Right?

Can We Implement A Just And Sustainable Food System In Calgary? The Calgary Food Charter presents a vision for a food system which benefits our community and the environment. It sets out the City of Calgary’s commitment to the development of a coordinated municipal food policy, and animates our community’s engagement and participation in conversations and actions related to food security in Calgary. In a food-secure community, the growing, processing and distribution of healthy, safe food is economically viable, socially just, environmentally sustainable and regionally based. Some members of our community, particularly children, do not have reliable access to safe and nutritious food. In addition, much of the food we eat travels long distances from where it is grown and processed and is dependent on fossil fuels at every stage. Dependency on imports for our food increases our impact on the environment and our vulnerability to food shortages from natural disasters or economic set-backs. Overall food security is increasingly influenced by global factors that affect our community’s ability to meet our food system goals. Community food security needs the involvement of all members of our community, including citizens, consumers, businesses and governments. When citizens are engaged in dialogue and action around food security, and governments are responsive to their communities’ concerns and recommendations, sound food policy can be developed and implemented in all sectors of the food system and the community. In 2002, the City of Calgary adopted sustainability as a fundamental approach for all the City’s operations. The goal of a just and sustainable food system plays a significant role in achieving a “Sustainable Calgary”. Dear Calgary  City Council

The Calgary Food Policy Council requests that Calgary City Council recognize World Food Day & the Calgary Food Summit, October 16, 2009 by means of a proclamation. World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity" (resolution 35/70 of 5 December 1980). World Food Day Calgary Food Summit: A free event for Calgarians As we sit down with our families this Thanksgiving weekend, giving thanks for our food, we have an opportunity to not only acknowledge those less fortunate, but to also act to improve the efficiency and resilience of Calgary's food system. The Calgary Food Summit is a chance for Calgarians to inclusively and transparently craft the policies that will guide food policy in the future, helping Calgary create a more just, secure, economically viable and sustainable local food system. Respectfully,

Paul Hughes
Chair, Calgary Food Policy Council
paul@calgaryfoodpolicycouncil.ca
 		OUR  Vision

Within the city of Calgary and surrounding areas, people are happy and healthy, eating foods that are grown by their neighbours and distributed through local community networks. Our food is nutritious and secure because we know who grows it, what goes into it and how it is processed. We take comfort knowing that our food is produced and distributed in an ecological, sustainable, and accessible manner. People are free to grow and share the foods which nourish our families and neighbourhoods, thereby exercising local control over the food supply and network. We are safe and secure in what we eat. This shields our food supply from potentially disruptive external factors, like market fluctuations and economic crises. The whole community, especially children and elders, enjoys a bountiful range of foods that enable us to lead full, healthy lives.