WRFoodNews January 29, 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. Roundtable adopts new Food System Priorities 
At its first meeting of 2010, the Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable adopted new Priorities for Waterloo Region's food system.  The new Food System Priorities replace priorities on the Roundtable's website which had been identified two years ago.  The priorities represent action areas which the Roundtable believes need the most attention now in our journey toward a healthy food system in Waterloo Region.  They were informed by a scan by Roundtable members of changes in the food system in the past two years, and by discussions held at the Waterloo Region Food Summit in November.  The priorities are: Food Sovereigny, Food Policy, Urban Agriculture, Local Food Infrastructure, Farm Viability, and Access to Healthy Food.  Details can be viewed on the Roundtable'swebsite. 

2. New Local Wholesale Produce Venture Launching in St Jacobs 
A new business venture founded by Nelson Wideman, former manager of the Elmira Produce Auction, will make wholesale local produce available to local retailers and restaurants by pre-order or by walk-in sales.  The venture, called St Jacobs Produce, seeks to complement the auction by catering to customers who prefer other buying options to popular auction.  Details in story by ObserverXtra. 

3. Cambridge By-Law prohibits growing plants on Boulevards 
A recent story in The Record about proposed changes to by-law fines in Cambridge brought to light the existence of a by-law prohibiting the growing of "herbacious plants" on boulevards in Cambridge.  Councilor Pam Wolfe was quotes as saying “I think $110 is a little ridiculous for growing a turnip on your boulevard.”  Links to the text of the By-Law and invitation to discuss the issue can be found on the Roundtable's Discussion Forum. 

4. Food Summit Follow-Up Action meeting next Thursday at 9am 
People interested in continuing the momentum started at last November's Waterloo Region Food Summit should attend a meeting to discuss follow-up actions next week.  A group of nine members of the planning committee which organized the Summit met in early December and decided to invite anyone interested in the food issues raised at the Summit to a meeting to discuss how to support people in actions consistent with the Summit Declaration.  The meeting is at 9am on Thursday, February 4, at 99 Regina St S, Waterloo, in room 209.  Please RSVP to Marc Xuereb. 

5. Highlights and Presentations from Roundtable meetings posted 
Ever wonder what the Food System Roundtable does at its five meetings per year?  Well, you can now read highlights of their meetings and view copies of presentations made to their meetings on their website under About the Roundtable - Meeting Highlights.  Recent postings include presentations by NFU Women's President Joan Brady on the Farm Income Crisis, Region of Waterloo Waste Management Coordinator Kim Kitagawa on Food Waste and Composting, and Theresa Schumilas on the new Canadian Organic Standards. 

6. Upcoming Food Events
Full details on upcoming food-related events in Waterloo Region can be viewed under Upcoming Events on 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:

        Canadian Organic Conference - January 28-31, University of Guelph 
        Createive Food Activism workshop - January 31, University of Waterloo 
        Waterloo Region Food Summit Action Coordinating Meeting-February 4, 99 Regina St S,   Waterloo 
        Explore Your Farm Dream - February 10, The Working Centre, Kitchener 
        Worm Composting - February 13, Little City Farm, Kitchener 
        Organic Stone Soup - February 15, St Matthew's Lutheran Church, Kitchener 

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