Sandra Hanmer
City/Township Council · Waterloo Ward 1
Back to candidatesThis candidate finalized their responses after this guide and scoring methodology was published.
Food 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
- Promote and support low-barrier spaces for local producers to distribute and sell food
- Encourage and support local landowners to rent to newcomer farmers
- Develop a local food strategy, including research on how land-use change affects the food system
- Partner with other levels of government to develop local food hubs that reduce costs and barriers for small businesses
- 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 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
- support local charities
- non-profits and other organizations to strengthen the good work they do now with access to food and redistribution of surplus food and produce for low income residents.
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)
Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to strengthen the local food system.candidate's own words
I would support a local food hub or low barrier market space program that provides easy access, is affordable and provides education on nutrition and food preparation.