[WRFoodNews] March 23 Waterloo Region Food System update

[xmarc at region.waterloo.on.ca]

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.

1. Toronto's new street food vendors inspiring similar ideas in Waterloo
Region
The City of Toronto is unveiling a program to open up street food vending
beyond the typical hot dogs.  Licenses are being granted to all kinds of
world food vendors in neighbourhoods across Toronto, and one member of
Waterloo Region's Food System Roundtable wonders if we shouldn't be looking
at the same idea here.  Read the background and add your ideas at
http://www.wrfoodsystem.ca/index.php?p=forum/view_thread&thread_id=10186.

2. Groups call for Healthy Food Supplement to be added to Ontario's next
budget
With the provincial government set to introduce its 2009 budget this week,
several groups concerned about poverty are advocating that social
assistance rates be raised by $100/month to enable recipients to better
afford healthy food.  Details are at
http://www.wrfoodsystem.ca/index.php?p=forum/view_thread&thread_id=10182.

3. Kitchener Community Health Centre documenting food access problems in
downtown Kitchener
Following up on a 2003 study which found downtown Kitchener's food options
lacking - especially for seniors and others on low incomes, the Kitchener
Community Health Centre is working with Nursing students from McMaster
University to assess downtown Kitchener's food environment.  Details are at
http://www.wrfoodsystem.ca/index.php?p=forum/view_thread&thread_id=10179.

4. Neighbourhood Markets Evaluation Report released
Region of Waterloo Public Health released an evaluation of its two-year
pilot project in which temporary farmers' markets were set up in five
neighbourhoods in Kitchener and Cambridge.  The report found that the
markets met their objective of increasing people's consumption of fresh
fruit and vegetables, increasing food access in neighbourhoods, increasing
people's social connections, and supporting local farmers.  The Region is
currently working with community partners on a transition plan to find
organizations and businesses willing to continue the markets.  More
details, and a link to the full report, are at
http://www.wrfoodsystem.ca/index.php?p=forum/view_thread&thread_id=10188.

5. Upcoming Food Events
A number of upcoming food events were added to our calndar recently.  Full
details on upcoming food-related events in Waterloo Region can be viewed
under "Upcoming Events" on the Roundtable's website (
http://www.wrfoodsystem.ca/index.php?p=9).  To share news of your event,
email details to xmarc at region.waterloo.on.ca, and I will post it to the
website.

CFFO Farm Policy Day - March 24, 10am, Palmerston
Designing for Agriculture in Uncommon Spaces - March 27, 11:30am, Ryerson
University, Toronto
Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) workshop - March 27, 1:30pm, Guelph
Planning your Organic Vegetable Garden - March 28, 9am, St John's Kitchen,
Kitchener
Nutritional Benefits of Alternative Food Sourcing - March 31, 7pm, KPL Main
Branch, Kitchener

Marc Xuereb
staff support to the Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable
c/o Region of Waterloo Public Health
99 Regina St S, 3rd Floor
Waterloo, ON N2J 4V3
tel: 519.883.2004 x.5872
email: xmarc at region.waterloo.on.ca