Co-Chairs: Kimberley Hodgson and Caitlin Dorward

1. Homelands acknowledgement and acknowledgement of National Aboriginal Day (6:00-15)
2. Approval of May 2017 meeting minutes (6:15-20)
3. Working Group Update: Children & Youth Food WG
   ● Motion on a National School Food Program (6:20-35)
4. VFPC Priorities for “A Food Policy for Canada” Summit (6:35-7:20)

Background: Caitlin and Kim will be representing the VFPC at a June 22-23 Summit being held by the federal gov’t to gather input on the development of “A Food Policy for Canada”. Specifically, they are consulting on the themes of

• Increasing access to affordable food;
• Improving health and food safety;
• Conserving our soil, water, and air; and,
• Growing more high-quality food.

The goal of this working session is to articulate the VFPC’s policy priorities related to these themes (and beyond), and priorities related to the implementation/administration of the Food Policy for Canada, for Caitlin and Kim to represent at the summit.
● Overview and explanation of session (5 minutes)
● Small Group Discussion in four thematic breakout groups (40 minutes)
○ Part A: What are our priorities related to the theme? How do these priorities align with the Gov’t’s priorities?
○ Part B: What priorities don’t fit? What’s missing?

Break (7:20-30)

4. (continuation from before break (7:30-8:20)
● Large Group Discussion
○ Part A: small group note takers report back (5 mins each)
○ Part B: discussion (15 mins)
● Recap & Confirm (10 mins)

5. Bread Basket (8:20-30)
6. Motion to Adjourn and move to social gathering 8:30

In April the Vancouver Food Policy Council sent out a food policy questionnaire to all Vancouver provincial standing nominees with the following questions:

1.  The BC food system impacts public health, social well-­‐being, community development, land use, education, economic prosperity, natural resources, public safety, and transportation in multiple ways. If elected, how will you advance and coordinate food systems initiatives across various ministries of provincial government?

2.  Food insecurity is directly linked to the unacceptable rates of poverty in BC. If elected, would you commit to implementing a comprehensive poverty reduction plan with legislated targets and timelines within the next term of office? If yes, how would you do so?

3.  One in six BC children lives in a food insecure household. Despite this, BC does not have a universal school food program for public school children. If elected, what would you do to ensure that school aged children have access to healthy meals and food literacy programming in school?

4.  Indigenous food systems continue to be eroded through ongoing colonialism. Indigenous communities are raising concerns regarding the negative impacts of development and extraction projects on their ability to maintain traditional food practices. If elected, what measures would you commit to undertaking to ensure the protection and continuing revitalization of Indigenous food practices in BC?

5.  The Agricultural Land Reserve is a long-­‐standing public legacy that enables a viable agricultural sector and food security for future generations in BC. If elected, what government policies would you support to ensure the long-­‐term protection, viability, and use of the lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve? What additional approaches would you take to foster a viable and sustainable local farming sector in BC?

6.  The Climate Action Plan is B.C.’s roadmap to an emerging green economy for the province that outlines how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020. If elected, how would you support adaptation and mitigation in the agriculture and food sector?

7.  Food waste is an economic, social and environmental problem that occurs in all sectors the food system. If elected, how would you advance the reduction of food waste in BC

8.  We know that neonicotinoid pesticides are toxic to bees and other insects that benefit our food system. If elected, would you commit to reducing the use of neonicotinoid pesticides across the province? If yes, what measures would you take to do so?

9.  If elected, what other food issues or initiatives would you like to advance in the coming term?

You can read the responses we received below:

BC Green Party Response

BC Liberal Party Response

BC NDP_Party Response