Kaslo Food Security
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Transcript of Kaslo Food Security
Kaslo Food Security
Aimee WatsonNorth Kootenay Lake
Food Security Coordinator
Who we are
• Kaslo & Area D• Income- less than
provincial average• Economic forces-
challenged resource industries
• Rurally challenged
Kaslo & Area D, BC
Former Farming Mecca
•Produced large amounts of fruit•Supported by Agriculture Canada•Land now sits idle
Meadow Creek, BCPhoto by: Gail Spitler
What Happened?•Diseases •Railroad dismantled•Small lot agriculture was replaced by a global food system
The last viable orchard: Kootenay Joe JuicePhoto: Gail Spitler
Why food security?
• 1 day of fresh food available if trucks are cut off•28% of Kaslo median income would be needed to meet Canada Food Guide recommendations
First step: Food Forum
• Community food assessment
• Setting ground for direction
•Recommendations
Kaslo Food Forum- 2006
Since Then.....
• 15 grants• $187,500 in short term
grants• six community
consultations • 10 ad-hoc food security
initiatives • $22,000 in donations • $22, 970 from our Bulk
Buying Club• AccreditedEntrance to Kaslo Food Hub
Current Programs
• North Kootenay Lake Food Cupboard
• Baby Supplies Cupboard
• Kaslo Bulk Buying Club• Tool Library• Community Root
Cellar
Current Programs ….continued
•West Kootenay Food Directory•West Kootenay Farmland Database•Community Kitchen Program•Food Resource Library•Feeding Families Not Bears
FundersCommunity Food Action Initiative (Interior Health)
Union of BC MunicipalitiesKairos
Eco ActionColumbia Basin Trust
Regional District Central KootenaysGaming
Kaslo Community Forest SocietyDASH
How: Start with EngagementYear One:•Education & Dialogue•Building awareness •Building networks•Food Policy•A constant state of engagement
Farmers to Farms Event
Then: Action!• Five lawns turned into food producing gardens•Demonstration garden •Community garden, composting, preserving, and cooking classes•Produced the movie “Planting the Seeds”
Measuring ImpactsGHG reductions:
•45 tonnes
Water saved: •over 14 million litres
Organics diverted from landfill: •1180Kg
Inputs reduced (chemicals & fertilizers):
• 4500 KgLawns to Gardens Winner: Tara Gray
Apprentice: Jasanna DobbynGardener Extraordinaire: Lyndsay Romaker
Building Skills & Knowledge
•Could we grow enough diversity to meet dietary needs?•A centralized contact for growing and processing information
Quinoa
Painted Mountain Corn
Research: Could We Be Food Secure?
•How much land available?•Over 7000 hectares are in the ALR for area D•However, only 885 hectares are arable•With .524 hectares per person needed, we could provide enough calories for 65% of our population
Johnsons Landing Homestead
Gail Spitler
So, are we food secure now? No
•Food Cupboard use is increasing•Backyard & community gardening does not meet total needs •Costs continue to rise•Choices diminishing
Food Cupboard Bins
Capacity
Grist Magazine July, 2011
Without Farmers: There is no Food Security
•We have lost 6 farmers since we began
•10 acres of prime land listed for $900,000
•Farmers average net return ranges from -$133 to a maximum of $5, 422
Lofsted Farm, Kaslo
Without Support- there are no Farmers
•In 2005, 54% of the $2.8 billion in governments payments went to farms with revenues over $250,000 •Financial support for farmers making $5,000 a year: $0
New farmer: Kate Murphy
Tools for a Viable Local Economy•Localized distribution channels•Regulations design for small scale agriculture •Infrastructure•Agricultural Extension services
Vince McIntyre :First Bulk Buying Club Farmer
Community Food Centres & Food HubsA one stop shop for: •education,• access, •marketing and value added activities
Accreditation provides:•Stamp of approval•Process & procedures that meet set standards
Sustaining Ourselves
Barriers •Constant grant seeking•limited market•Regulations
Recommendations•Increase KBBC•Fruit Product •Reduce overhead with
service fees
Agriculture & Charity
Farmers & Women's Institutes•Fall fairs•Bulk sales•Networking•Education•Administration