Item - 2010.HL28.1

This report provides an update on the Toronto Food Strategy, a project spearheaded by Toronto Public Health (TPH), in collaboration with City and community stakeholders. The goal of the project is to inspire action toward a health-focused food system – one that supports broad social determinants of health. The need for action is clear. Toronto faces numerous health, social and environmental problems related to food. Most notably, at least one household in ten can’t afford enough food for a healthy diet, while more than one child in three is overweight or obese. The protection of GTA farmland, the viability of local farmers, and security of the local food economy are also pressing concerns. The average Ontario food producer presently earns a little more than $8,000 annually from farming operations. It’s increasingly recognized that the food system’s multiple emissions account for as much as a third of greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change.

Torontonians are ready for a fresh take on food and for opportunities to participate in food activities. As well, the city and the surrounding area have numerous advantages, including knowledgeable and engaged residents, abundant natural assets, economic strength, and dynamic leadership. These advantages position the city well to take the next steps in championing a healthy and sustainable food system. The attached consultation report, “Food Connections: Toward a Healthy and Sustainable Food System for Toronto”, proposes the following six directions for food system renewal:

·         Grow food-friendly neighbourhoods;

·         Make food a centerpiece of the new green economy;

·         Eliminate hunger;

·         Empower residents with food skills and information;

·         Connect city and countryside through food; and,

·         Embed food system thinking in City government.

To take these next steps, new approaches to dealing with food issues need to be identified. There is a contradiction between Toronto enjoying so many exceptional food-related advantages, while also facing a wide range of food-related problems. This contradiction suggests that comprehensive strategic approaches are required, not just individual actions. The Toronto Food Strategy is intended to inspire actions to help move toward a more healthy and sustainable food system, while facilitating the achievement of existing City objectives. These approaches will benefit from broad-based partnerships to leverage resources from multiple sources.

Following the Board of Health’s endorsement of a food strategy process in June 2008, the Medical Officer of Health convened a Food Strategy Steering Group, made up of community food experts and senior City staff, to guide the development of a draft Toronto Food Strategy (attached as Appendix One). The consultation report articulates a bold but practical vision for Toronto, identifying both short-term measures and long-term objectives.

TPH, in collaboration with members of the Steering Group, the Toronto Food Policy Council and community partners, will conduct a broad consultation and engagement process early in 2010. Discussions will be held among a broad range of people and organizations, including farmers, community agencies, gardeners, newcomers, youth, TPH and other City staff, the private sector and other orders of government. The feedback from the process will be incorporated into a revised Toronto Food Strategy report containing more detailed action steps and mechanisms to move towards a health-focused food system for Toronto. The report will be submitted to City Council by summer 2010.