Wilmot — Ward 4
3 candidates responded
Krista Straus See responses
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
No responseHow should municipalities and the Region approach food insecurity and affordability?select up to 3 per part
A. Access to food
- Partner with local charities, non-profits, and other organizations to strengthen access to food and redistribution of surplus food and produce for low-income residents
- 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
- 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
Protecting the Countryside Line
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on food systems?candidate's own words
It’s a complex system that starts with farmland, and having an agricultural ecosystem to support it. We are lucky to live in a place that has that.
Sam Hiemstra See responses
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
- Partner with local charities, non-profits, and other organizations to strengthen access to food and redistribution of surplus food and produce for low-income residents
- 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
B. Access to land for growing food
- Make public lands (Regional and municipal) available for sustenance food provisioning, including in urban and peri-urban spaces as cities expand
- 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
Accessible community gardening with accompanying educational programs would be an incredible asset for my community.
Steven Martin See responses
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
- Leave local food livelihoods to the private market
- Encourage and support local landowners to rent to newcomer farmers
How should municipalities and the Region approach food insecurity and affordability?select up to 3 per part
A. Access to food
- Partner with local charities, non-profits, and other organizations to strengthen access to food and redistribution of surplus food and produce for low-income residents
- Support programs to prepare food for those who are unhoused or unable to cook
B. Access to land for growing food
- Make public lands (Regional and municipal) available for sustenance food provisioning, including in urban and peri-urban spaces as cities expand
- Encourage and support private landowners to make lots available for food provisioning
On the ballot but have not responded to survey (2)
- Jeff Bell
- Scott Dunstall
Full candidate list: CBC Waterloo Region election coverage ↗