WRFoodNews July 14, 2010

Please find below the latest update on Waterloo Region's food system as described on the website of the Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable at www.wrfoodsystem.ca.  Join discussions of the topics below and many more on our Discussion Forum. 

1. Over One Billion Not Served
On the eve of the G8 and G20 meetings in Toronto and Huntsville, the Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable heard an important message from University of Waterloo professor Jennifer Clapp on the causes and possible solutions to global hunger.  Dr Clapp outlined the differing opinions on what caused recent global food price spikes and the resulting increases of people going hungry, and observed that, to date, the G8 and international financial institutions have chosen to follow only one solution - investing in new technologies to increase production.  See Dr Clapp's June 3 presentation on the Roundtable's website, or read her short article arguing for a broader approach to food security on the CIGI website.

2. Ann Clark addresses GM Foods, Roundtable sets Fall Topics for Healthy Food System series
University of Guelph professor Ann Clark addressed the risks and drawbacks of genetically-modified (GM) foods in her June 22 presentation at the Kitchener Public Library (KPL) as part of the Roundtable'sHealthy Food System series.  She argued that the benefits of this technology were limited, and far lower than its producers' claims, and that the risks and dangers were too great to continue to permit its continued use.

 Meanwhile, the Roundtable has confirmed the topics for the Fall events in its Healthy Food System seriesat the KPL:  September will focus on the issue of sewage sludge on farms, October's will help people create their own individual local sustainable food strategy, and November will address the perils of processed food.  All Fall events will be on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at the Forest Heights Branch of the Kitchener Public Library.

3. NDP Food for Thought report
The New Democratic Party became the second national party to call for a comprehensive national food policy in a report released on June 22.  NDP Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko led a cross-country tour which held 28 public forums in cities across Canada which informed the report.  The report calls for Canada to give all Canadians access to healthy food, and proposes new initiatives to support local farmers and to decentralize the distribution system.  Discuss the report on the Roundtable's Discussion Forum.

4. Neighbourhood Markets are back
Look for Neighbourhood Markets every Wednesday from 11am to 3pm until September 15th at the Kitchener community centres of Centreville-Chicopee and Mill-Courtland.  These markets showcase affordable local fruits and vegetables and freshly-baked artisan breads, flowers, free smiles, live entertainment and fun for the whole family!  The markets' produce is sourced this year from JayWest Wholesale Produce and Flowers and Martin’s Family Fruit Farms - both of St Jacobs. The raved-about bread is sourced from Grainharvest Breadhouse.  More details and printable posters are available athttp://www.neighbourhoodmarkets.ca.

5. Organic agriculture course survives U of G cuts
The University of Guelph will continue to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Organic Agriculture until at least 2014, despite not yet meeting a target to register at least 40 students in the major. Organic agriculture was on a controversial list of programs and majors identified for cuts by the University’s Board of Undergraduate Studies last spring, but was given a year-long reprieve to improve enrolment numbers. In February 2010, the Senate extended that reprieve for at least four more years. Guelph Mercury story

6. U of G professors debate merits of "organic pesticides"
University of Guelph professor Ann Clark has raised a number of questions about a June 25 article in the Globe & Mail which reported on a study by fellow professor Rebecca Hallett questioning the worth of organic pesticides.  The problem with comparing organic to synthetic pesticides, according to Clark, is that it assumes that one treats the symptoms of a problem without addressing the broader context of the ecosystem: "To the extent that a pest does, in fact, proliferate, suggests that the system is not yet in balance - not yet self-regulating."  Read Dr Clark's points on the Roundtable's Discussion Forum, and add your own comments!

7. Planning for Farm Innovation
A new report from the Metcalf Foundation called Planting the Seeds for Farm Innovation suggests ways that land use planners can encourage farm innovation.  The report was written by Dr. Nina-Marie Lister and graduate students at Ryerson University, and gives examples of land use policies that planners can implement as a way to encourage farmers to find new ways to increase their incomes.  The study focuses on Niagara Region, Simcoe County and Waterloo Region.

8. 100-Mile Market
Kitchener's new wholesale food business, 100-Mile Market, was featured in a Globe & Mail story on July 6th. The company was established in January, 2009: it recorded sales revenue of $100,000 in June 2010 and expects to hit $200,000 by December.  The business model – buying from producers and selling to retail clients, all within a 100-mile radius – operates in Toronto and London, Ont., with a Kingston hub to be added shortly.

9. Upcoming Food Events
Full details on upcoming food-related events in Waterloo Region can be viewed under Upcoming Eventson the Roundtable's website.  To share news of your event, email details to the Roundtable's Site Administrator, who will post it to the website.  Some upcoming highlights include:

Getting Food on Municipal Election Agenda, Thursday, July 15, 7:45-10am (TOMORROW MORNING),  Toronto
Building a Sun Dehydrator, Saturday, July 17, 1-3pm, Little City Farm, Kitchener
Direct Farm Marketing Workshop, Sunday, July 18, 10am-5pm,Brampton

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