Cultivating Food Connections

Cultivating Food Connections: Toward a Healthy and Sustainable Food System for Toronto
May 2010

Table of Contents
Foreword Introduction Toronto is Poised to Lead the Way Toronto’s Advantages Moving Toward a Health Focused Food System How We Got Here Unintended Consequences Carving Up Food The Road Ahead Thinking Outside the Breadbox Local Government’s Food Levers What Torontonians Told UsEmbedding Food System Initiatives in City Government Priority Areas for Action Support Food-friendly Neighbourhoods Make Food a Centerpiece of Toronto’s New Green Economy Eliminate Hunger in Toronto Empower Residents with Food Skills and Information Connect City and Countryside through Food Urge Federal and Provincial Governments to Establish Health-Focused Food Policies Conclusion ImplementationAppendix 1: Members of the Toronto Food Strategy Steering Group Endnotes 1 3 6 6 10 10 10 11 13 15 16 18 19 20 20 24 26 28 29 32 33 33 34 36

Foreword
Food can play a powerful role in promoting health, as well as building strong and diverse communities, protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. That’s why food is such an effective vehicle to connect people to one another, totheir neighbourhoods and their city. I believe it is time to build on these connections and challenge ourselves to create a healthy and sustainable food system for all. I initiated the Toronto Food Strategy project to inspire discussion and action that will move us toward this goal. “Cultivating Food Connections” proposes a new vision for Toronto’s food, one that unites health and city building. Thereport, which lays out numerous opportunities for Toronto to champion food system renewal, is the product of broad consultation with individuals and groups across City government and the community. We heard from a wide range of people – newcomers, neighbourhood organizations, farmers, students, health professionals, business people, and many more. Torontonians told us that they care deeply aboutmaking our food better. Toronto Public Health’s 2007 report, “The State of Toronto’s Food”, showed that the food we eat comes from a complex system of connected activities – production, processing, distribution, marketing, consumption and disposal – from “grow it to throw it”. It warned of intensifying pressures from a range of food-related problems − hunger, obesity, chronic disease, disappearingfarmland, environmental pollution − and highlighted the need for coordinated and strategic approaches. In 2008, the Toronto Board of Health endorsed the Food Strategy project, and a Steering Group was convened to guide the work, culminating in the “Food Connections” consultation report that was released in February 2010. I’m grateful to the diverse group of community food experts and senior Citystaff who served on the Steering Group. Its mandate was to help articulate a bold food vision for the city and begin to identify effective short and long term actions to implement it. I’m also thankful for the ongoing support and advice of the Toronto Food Policy Council.

Dr. David McKeown Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto

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Toronto already has many examples of food systemleadership through the efforts of community organizations, City divisions and agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions. With the support of the Steering Group, the Food Strategy project has begun the process of reaching out to, and connecting, a wide range of people and organizations in the community and across City government. Visit our website (toronto.ca/foodconnections) for moreinformation. You may also contact Peter Dorfman, Toronto Food Strategy Manager (Tel: 416-338-7935, Email: pdorfma@toronto.ca), with your questions and comments. I look forward to working with you to build a healthy and sustainable food system for Toronto.

Dr. David McKeown Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto

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Cu l t i v a t i n g Fo o d Co n n e c t i o n s

Introduction...