Food

Food is a topic that everyone can relate to, we all need to eat. The City of Vancouver is actively building sustainable food systems from which everyone can benefit.

The Food Action Plan was created in July of 2003 in order to support and develop a just and sustainable food system. The plan fosters equitable food production, distribution and consumption. These are key areas in supporting a robust food cycle along with processing, access and waste management.

A range of issues affect sustainable food issues locally and globally. The City is focusing on areas where we can have the most impact.

Food Policy Council

Vancouver’s Food Policy Council was established in July 2004. To learn about the Council, their activities, or attend a monthly meeting click here.

Vancouver Food Charter

On February 15, 2007, Mayor and Council unanimously adopted the Vancouver Food Charter. This is an important step forward on the path to a just and sustainable food system for the city and its residents. The Charter is an ambitious, forward-thinking document that promotes education, celebration and real projects for a healthy economy, a healthy ecology, and a healthy society. Find out more

Some of the key areas in food policy are:

Farmers Markets

Eating local dramatically contributes to climate protection. Food that travels long distances to reach our shopping cart use up fossil fuels and the globe just gets warmer. Buying local is good for the environment and supports local economies. Often, local produce is fresher tastier food. Find out details about the local farmers market closest to your neighbourhood, or on Granville Island.

Urban Agriculture

Community Food Gardens In May 2006, City Council unanimously passed a motion to develop 2,010 new food producing gardens by 2010 as an Olympic legacy. As a result, residents of Vancouver can expect to see more community gardens, rooftop gardens, and edible landscaping in the near future. To help make this happen, the Food Policy Team is researching policies, guidelines and by-laws in other cities and partnering with community agencies to build more community gardens to further develop the growing of food in the city.

Share Garden Excess How often is it that you can enjoy a favourite hobby and help others in your community at the same time? The Grow-A-Row/Share-A-Row program invites local gardeners to donate an extra fruit and vegetables for community agencies in Vancouver. View the drop-off locations.

Neighbour Backyard Gardens Do you have garden space you can't use? Are you looking for a garden near your home? City Farmer and the City of Vancouver are encouraging sharing of underutilized gardens and counting their increased productivity towards the 2010 challenge to grow your own food. If you have a garden and want to share it with someone, or if you are looking for a space to garden, visit Cityfarmer.

Composting food

Composting your own organics will cut down on weekly garbage. City Farmer runs the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden and offers worm bins for residents without access to backyard composting. Workshops on composting and water conservation are available throughout the year.
Contact: cityfarm@interchange.ubc.ca
for more information. Website: www.cityfarmer.org

Fair Trade

Fair trade coffees and other food items are a part of the purchasing criteria for the City of Vancouver.

For more information on any of this work, visit the food policy website. To receive a weekly update on Food Policy events, grant opportunities or job postings in Vancouver, send us an e-mail asking to be placed on our mailing list. We do not share our list.