Brooklin Wallis
City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 6
Back to candidatesFood Systems & Security
In the context of growing pressure for economic development and the connected loss of farmland, what role do municipalities and the Region hold in promoting local food livelihoods, production, and processing?ranked from highest to lowest importance
- Develop a local food strategy, including research on how land-use change affects the food system
- Promote and support low-barrier spaces for local producers to distribute and sell food
- Partner with other levels of government to develop local food hubs that reduce costs and barriers for small businesses
- Encourage and support local landowners to rent to newcomer farmers
- Leave local food livelihoods to the private market
How should municipalities and the Region approach food insecurity and affordability?select up to 3 per part
A. Access to food
- Support the development of community buying clubs or municipal grocery stores
- Support local food procurement for school food programs, including processing/preparation infrastructure, food literacy, and youth learning opportunities
- Support programs to prepare food for those who are unhoused or unable to cook
B. Access to land for growing food
- Enable access to land and resources for local people who want to grow their own food (e.g. the community-garden model)
- Encourage and support private landowners to make lots available for food provisioning
Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to strengthen the local food system.candidate's own words
I would work with staff to identify local food deserts and find ways to promote those gaps being filled, such and preemptive zoning changes or incentives