The Sudbury and Manitoulin Districts Food Security Network

Food Charter Initiative An initiative of the The Food Security Network of the Sudbury & Manitoulin Districts Our Mandate: To improve our capacity to be food secure. The Food Security Network represents: Agricultural interests – farmers and markets Food banks Small business owners – restaurants and small food processors Government, health, economic, educational and social services Consumers and concerned citizens

Community food security is a strategy that promotes: Health and wellness Community involvement Economic development The sustainable development of the local food system

Our Vision of a food secure community is when: Food is accessible Food is locally available Appropriate to culture Grown sustainably

Why do we need a food charter? Food bank use is increasing every year Agricultural communities need support to market their products Global issues impact our food supply

The Food Charter promotes: A food security planning process that considers the health of the community throughout the life cycle Health as a resource for the individual and the community Economic development of the food system based on social, environmental, economic and cultural factors Strategies to link existing initiatives and maximize local resources Involving the community in finding solutions

The benefits of a food secure community: Retains food dollars in the community and creates jobs Has an emergency food supply Supports those at-risk for food insecurity Supports healthy food choices

What are the next steps? Endorsement of the Food Charter by the City of Greater Sudbury Endorsement of the Food Charter within the municipalities of the Sudbury & District Health Unit Expansion of the Food Security Network The development of a Community Food Security Report Card

The benefits of a food secure community include… Improved health status Job creation Local research opportunities A sustainable environment – locally and globally Development of local food cuisine and cultures Ecotourism opportunities Lets work together to develop a food secure community – supporting local food growing and processing, ensuring that food is affordable and accessible and that our environment is sustainable - we have everything to gain!