Repowering Our Local Repowering Our Local

Food System Food System

The Green Economy – From Margins to Centre StageThe Green Economy – From Margins to Centre Stage

Karen Hutchinson, Executive DirectorKaren Hutchinson, Executive DirectorCaledon Countryside Alliance – Eat Local CaledonCaledon Countryside Alliance – Eat Local Caledon

Ontario Trillium Foundation ConferenceOntario Trillium Foundation ConferenceNew Thinking for New Times, November 6, 2009New Thinking for New Times, November 6, 2009

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Message: Why we should be repowering Message: Why we should be repowering Ontario’s Local Food System to be a Ontario’s Local Food System to be a foundation of the new green economy and foundation of the new green economy and our communities our communities

What is Local Food?What is Local Food? What is Local Farming?What is Local Farming? Economic, Social and Health Impacts of Economic, Social and Health Impacts of

Local FoodLocal Food Who is involved ?Who is involved ? Community Case Example: Caledon Community Case Example: Caledon

Countryside Alliance and Eat Local CaledonCountryside Alliance and Eat Local Caledon

Why Local Food and the Green Why Local Food and the Green Economy?Economy?

There are 11.5 million people eating in There are 11.5 million people eating in Ontario...Ontario...

If 5 million Ontarians spent $10 of their If 5 million Ontarians spent $10 of their grocery budget on local foods each week…grocery budget on local foods each week…

There would be a $3 billion influx into the There would be a $3 billion influx into the local economy each year!local economy each year!

Based on research by Lewis A. Soroka, Professor of Economics, Brock University, Based on research by Lewis A. Soroka, Professor of Economics, Brock University, lsoroka@brocku.ca (through Sustain Ontario) (through Sustain Ontario)

But I don’t like root But I don’t like root vegetables…So let’s get the vegetables…So let’s get the barriers out of the way first!barriers out of the way first!

Local Food 101Local Food 101 Local food isn’t about suffering, it is about Local food isn’t about suffering, it is about

savouring and enjoying foods and savouring and enjoying foods and choosing local when available at the peak choosing local when available at the peak of freshness. It is also about eating for of freshness. It is also about eating for health, climate, food security and culture. health, climate, food security and culture. Along the way, be prepared to discover Along the way, be prepared to discover some great new foods growing on our some great new foods growing on our doorstepdoorstep

Be rest assured…there are Marco Polo Be rest assured…there are Marco Polo exceptions and it is hard to imagine North exceptions and it is hard to imagine North Americans without coffeeAmericans without coffee

Local Food from Caledon and Area Local Food from Caledon and Area on April 30, 2009 on April 30, 2009

Back StoryBack Story

ApplesApples from Albion Orchards, Caledon from Albion Orchards, Caledon

Wild MushroomsWild Mushrooms from Windy Fields, Grand Valley from Windy Fields, Grand Valley

Wild LeeksWild Leeks from Bailey’s Farm Produce, Caledon from Bailey’s Farm Produce, Caledon

Maple SyrupMaple Syrup from Norman Jewison/Putney Heath Farms, in from Norman Jewison/Putney Heath Farms, in CaledonCaledon

RhubarbRhubarb (forced) from Lenox Farms in Shelburne (forced) from Lenox Farms in Shelburne

And what did Chef Suman from Sudexo And what did Chef Suman from Sudexo Canada prepare?Canada prepare?

Lunch at Lunch at Building the Infrastructure for Building the Infrastructure for Local Food In OntarioLocal Food In Ontario Conference Conference

in Toronto on May 1, 2009in Toronto on May 1, 2009

What is Local Food?What is Local Food?

Grown and produced as close to home as Grown and produced as close to home as possible, within the geographic limit of Ontariopossible, within the geographic limit of Ontario

Grown and produced in rural, near-urban and Grown and produced in rural, near-urban and urban locationsurban locations

Hallmarks of local food – in season fruits and Hallmarks of local food – in season fruits and vegetables (also used frozen, preserved and vegetables (also used frozen, preserved and stored), honey, maple syrup, meat, dairy, stored), honey, maple syrup, meat, dairy, breads, grains, lentils, seeds, nuts and breads, grains, lentils, seeds, nuts and beverages, with more culturally diverse crops beverages, with more culturally diverse crops and foods being grown all the timeand foods being grown all the time

What is Local Food Farming?What is Local Food Farming? Agriculture produces food, fibre and fuel for local Agriculture produces food, fibre and fuel for local

or export marketsor export markets Food grown for the local market is usually sold Food grown for the local market is usually sold

directly to consumers by: directly to consumers by: – on-farm market or pick your own or CSAon-farm market or pick your own or CSA– farmers’ markets; restaurants; small shopsfarmers’ markets; restaurants; small shops– distributors; co-ops or grocery storesdistributors; co-ops or grocery stores

Local food can also be grown as a raw product Local food can also be grown as a raw product and then processed – eg. goat’s milk for cheese, and then processed – eg. goat’s milk for cheese, flour for bread, cabbage for kimchi, etc.flour for bread, cabbage for kimchi, etc.

Ontario’s Economy Ontario’s Economy

The agri-food industry contributes more The agri-food industry contributes more than $33 billion to the Ontario economy than $33 billion to the Ontario economy and employs about 700,000 people and employs about 700,000 people

What is involved in getting Local What is involved in getting Local Food from Field to Fork?Food from Field to Fork?

Farms of all sizes and types in rural, near-urban Farms of all sizes and types in rural, near-urban and urban settingsand urban settings

Distribution networks and facilities for direct, Distribution networks and facilities for direct, retail and institutional salesretail and institutional sales

Post harvest handing and processing facilitiesPost harvest handing and processing facilities Small, medium and large food producers (jam to Small, medium and large food producers (jam to

cheese to Kimchi – increasing including cheese to Kimchi – increasing including culturally diverse foods)culturally diverse foods)

Bakeries, butchers, retail shops, restaurants and Bakeries, butchers, retail shops, restaurants and much more with the local food multiplier effectmuch more with the local food multiplier effect

Other Factors - Local Food Policy, Other Factors - Local Food Policy, Planning and EconomicsPlanning and Economics

Food Policy Councils and Food ChartersFood Policy Councils and Food Charters Social Policy to provide good, fair and clean food, Social Policy to provide good, fair and clean food,

as a right for allas a right for all Planning, taxation and economic development Planning, taxation and economic development

policies for agriculture in rural near-urban and policies for agriculture in rural near-urban and urban locationsurban locations

Institutional (hospitals, schools, governments, etc.) Institutional (hospitals, schools, governments, etc.) and retail local food procurement policiesand retail local food procurement policies

Culinary tourismCulinary tourism

Consumers Want Local FoodConsumers Want Local Food

Consumers see many benefits to locally grown Consumers see many benefits to locally grown food such as: food such as:

Help their local economy (71%), Help their local economy (71%), Support family farmers (70%), Support family farmers (70%), Taste better (53%), Taste better (53%), Are Cheaper (50%)Are Cheaper (50%) Healthier (46%), Healthier (46%), Safer (44%) Safer (44%) Environmentally friendly (43%)Environmentally friendly (43%)

Ipsos Reid 2006.Ipsos Reid 2006.

Farmers See the OpportunityFarmers See the Opportunity

New opportunity for agriculture after years of New opportunity for agriculture after years of low income, a cheap food policy in North low income, a cheap food policy in North America, food and farming scares and a America, food and farming scares and a lack of new young farmerslack of new young farmers

Future farmers, especially non-farm youth, Future farmers, especially non-farm youth, see local food as an opportunity to get into see local food as an opportunity to get into agriculture that doesn’t require large capital agriculture that doesn’t require large capital outlay, eg. SPIN Farmingoutlay, eg. SPIN Farming

Economics of Local FoodEconomics of Local Food

From Farmers’ Markets OntarioFrom Farmers’ Markets Ontario The 154 markets in Ontario had estimated sales of $427 The 154 markets in Ontario had estimated sales of $427

to $641 million and economic impact of $641 to $1.9 to $641 million and economic impact of $641 to $1.9 billion in 2008 billion in 2008

Average shopper spending at a FMO market was $27.60 Average shopper spending at a FMO market was $27.60 per visit and sales at farmers’ markets are growing by per visit and sales at farmers’ markets are growing by 7% per year7% per year

From Ontario Farm Fresh MarketingFrom Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing In 2005, on-farm marketing provided seasonal In 2005, on-farm marketing provided seasonal

employment for 10,000 Ontario residents including 4,500 employment for 10,000 Ontario residents including 4,500 students.students.

Represents $116 million in annual gross receipts.Represents $116 million in annual gross receipts.

Economics of Local Food and Economics of Local Food and Farming Around the WorldFarming Around the World

US - Iowa and Michigan did early studies in 2006 looking at US - Iowa and Michigan did early studies in 2006 looking at the relationship between local food, local jobs and the the relationship between local food, local jobs and the economy economy

Vermont and the West Coast have developed local food Vermont and the West Coast have developed local food systems due to culturesystems due to culture

A number of Pennsylvania farms are grossing more than A number of Pennsylvania farms are grossing more than $500,000 with the CSA model$500,000 with the CSA model

Hooking up farms with their local markets is a proven path Hooking up farms with their local markets is a proven path to increased farm profitabilityto increased farm profitability

Growing Power – urban farm combines environmental and Growing Power – urban farm combines environmental and social responsibility in Milwaukee and Chicagosocial responsibility in Milwaukee and Chicago

UK – Jamie Oliver’s school meals and Fifteen RestaurantsUK – Jamie Oliver’s school meals and Fifteen Restaurants

From Sustain Ontario

>55,000 farms in OntarioFrom 1996-2006 Ontario lost 15% of its farms

Negative net farm incomesAverage age of farmers is 53 years

4 companies control over 80% of market share in food retail

Food is a social determinant of healthOver 35% of children 2-11 overweight or obese

1/3 adults overweight or obeseCost of obesity over $7 billion nationally

Poverty induced costs related to health care are $3 billion in Ontario

Health, Food and Farming in Ontario

Tipping PointTipping Point

Society is at a tipping point for Society is at a tipping point for understanding how this sector can repower understanding how this sector can repower our economy, create jobs, re-vitalize rural our economy, create jobs, re-vitalize rural communities and city neighbourhoods by communities and city neighbourhoods by offering local green collar jobs that will offering local green collar jobs that will sustain and survive in the long-termsustain and survive in the long-term

Health, society, farming and the economy Health, society, farming and the economy are converging to form a golden opportunity are converging to form a golden opportunity for local foodfor local food

The Sustainability Spin Off The Sustainability Spin Off Possibilities are Endless…Possibilities are Endless…

Green roofs growing food in cities, season Green roofs growing food in cities, season extension growing, greenhouses powered by extension growing, greenhouses powered by renewable energy, food transported by foot, renewable energy, food transported by foot, bicycle or public transitbicycle or public transit

Street youth training to be chefs Street youth training to be chefs Community engagement with farmers’ markets, Community engagement with farmers’ markets,

community gardens and much morecommunity gardens and much more Revitalized rural communities and urban Revitalized rural communities and urban

neighbourhoodsneighbourhoods Embracing a food cultureEmbracing a food culture

Local Food is a big movement and Local Food is a big movement and it’s Popularit’s Popular

Farmers, chefs, bakers, butchers, food Farmers, chefs, bakers, butchers, food processors, cheese makers, winemakersprocessors, cheese makers, winemakers

NGO’s promoting eat local, food security NGO’s promoting eat local, food security and culinary tourismand culinary tourism

Government – Food Policy Councils, Health Government – Food Policy Councils, Health DepartmentsDepartments

Foodies, locavores and gardenersFoodies, locavores and gardeners Restaurants, shops, Farmers’ MarketsRestaurants, shops, Farmers’ Markets

Caledon Countryside Alliance and Caledon Countryside Alliance and Eat Local CaledonEat Local Caledon

A rural/near urban NGO in the Town of Caledon formed in A rural/near urban NGO in the Town of Caledon formed in 1998 around the mantra “countryside is an option” and that 1998 around the mantra “countryside is an option” and that has evolved to “ensuring a vibrant and productive has evolved to “ensuring a vibrant and productive countryside in Caledon so that future generations have countryside in Caledon so that future generations have clean water, clean air and lands for food production”.clean water, clean air and lands for food production”.

Community ProgramsCommunity Programs Weedgee Kidz (2002 on)Weedgee Kidz (2002 on) Buy Local (2002 on)Buy Local (2002 on) Clean Air, Clean Energy Clean Air, Clean Energy

(2002 on)(2002 on) Building a Local Food Building a Local Food

System (2003 on)System (2003 on) EcoEnergy Home Visits EcoEnergy Home Visits

(formerly Caledon Dufferin (formerly Caledon Dufferin Reep, 2004 on)Reep, 2004 on)

Idle Free Caledon (2004 on)Idle Free Caledon (2004 on) Caledon Community Map Caledon Community Map

(2006 on)(2006 on) Eat Local Caledon (2007 on)Eat Local Caledon (2007 on)

Re-powering Caledon’s Local Food Re-powering Caledon’s Local Food and Farming Systemand Farming System

Buy Local Guide (2002)Buy Local Guide (2002) Annual Local Food Annual Local Food

Conferences (2003-2006 Conferences (2003-2006 and 2009)and 2009)

Grown in Peel (2006-Grown in Peel (2006-2009)2009)

Eat Local Caledon Eat Local Caledon (2007-2009)(2007-2009)

Take a Bite Out of Take a Bite Out of Climate Change (2009)Climate Change (2009)

Inspiration From Waterloo RegionInspiration From Waterloo Region

Total vegetable production (excluding Total vegetable production (excluding greenhouse) increased by 129.1% between greenhouse) increased by 129.1% between 2001 and 20062001 and 2006

Ontario decreased by 8.6% and Canada Ontario decreased by 8.6% and Canada decreased by 6.5% (Statistics Canada)decreased by 6.5% (Statistics Canada)

Foodlink (NGO) was created by Public Health Foodlink (NGO) was created by Public Health to build capacity for the local food economyto build capacity for the local food economy

Elmira Produce Auction Cooperative (EPAC) – Elmira Produce Auction Cooperative (EPAC) – impetus for farmers to grow more vegetablesimpetus for farmers to grow more vegetables

2007 - 2009 Program To Date2007 - 2009 Program To Date Local Food Pledge and Take a Bite Out of Climate Change Local

Food Pledge Eat Local Caledon Monthly Newsletter Making Connections - Trade Meetings & Directory Eat Local Caledon Dinner Series Local Food Hero Recognition Program School Program – Cooking Classes and Gardens Eat Local Week September 2007 Eat Local Month September 2008 and 2009 Caledon Crunch – 4000 youth crunching local apple in 2009 Inglewood and Caledon Farmers’ Markets, Take a Bite Out of Climate Change – climate friendly diets, eight

easy guidelines to reduce food miles and greenhouse gas emissions for pledge

Youth Programs – School Gardens, Cooking Classes, Youth Grow Group

School Cooking Classes

Youth Grow Group – Summer Cooking and Gardening

Caledon Crunch – 4000 Students and Staff at 8 Caledon Schools, 5 Caledon Apple Orchards, Town Hall Staff at 11:00 am on September 29th, 2009 - all crunching apples connected

by a live countdown on Radio Caledon

Inglewood Farmers’ Market

Caledon Farmers’ Market

Local Dinner Series

Staff Canning Bee

Eat Local Caledon’s Success StoriesEat Local Caledon’s Success Stories 2002 – Buy Local Guide for Headwaters2002 – Buy Local Guide for Headwaters 2003 – 2006, 2009 – Key organizer and sponsor of Local Food 2003 – 2006, 2009 – Key organizer and sponsor of Local Food

Conferences Conferences 2006 – Founding partners on Grown in Peel Guide 2006 – Founding partners on Grown in Peel Guide 2007 – First Eat Local Week2007 – First Eat Local Week 2007- 2009 – Making Connections, Local Dinner Series, Monthly Newsletter2007- 2009 – Making Connections, Local Dinner Series, Monthly Newsletter 2008 – Launch of Inglewood Farmers’ Market2008 – Launch of Inglewood Farmers’ Market 2008 - Launch of 2008 - Launch of www.eatlocalcaledon.org 2008 - 2009 – Eat Local Month2008 - 2009 – Eat Local Month 2008 – Launch of Caledon Crunch – 3000 students2008 – Launch of Caledon Crunch – 3000 students 2007-2009 - School Work (cooking classes, seed starting, school gardens)2007-2009 - School Work (cooking classes, seed starting, school gardens) 2009 – Founding partner on Caledon Farmers’ Market2009 – Founding partner on Caledon Farmers’ Market 2009 – Caledon Crunch – 4000 students2009 – Caledon Crunch – 4000 students 2009 – Take a Bite Out of Climate Change Program– climate friendly diets 2009 – Take a Bite Out of Climate Change Program– climate friendly diets

with local food pledge based on eight guidelines delivered at workshops, with local food pledge based on eight guidelines delivered at workshops, demonstrations, information at public events including farmers’ markets demonstrations, information at public events including farmers’ markets

Caledon Residents Support Local Caledon Residents Support Local FoodFood

Importance of buying locally grown foods Importance of buying locally grown foods and products – 2004 at 82% and 2008 at and products – 2004 at 82% and 2008 at 91% total important91% total important

Having a strong vibrant agricultural Having a strong vibrant agricultural community – 2004 at 85% and 2008 at 93%community – 2004 at 85% and 2008 at 93%

Preserving agricultural lands – 2004 and Preserving agricultural lands – 2004 and 2008 at 90%2008 at 90%Environmental Issues in Caledon, Caledon Countryside Alliance, June 2008Environmental Issues in Caledon, Caledon Countryside Alliance, June 2008

The Future: Spirit The Future: Spirit Tree Estate CideryTree Estate Cidery

Caledon farm family Caledon farm family developed apple orchard, developed apple orchard, cidery, bakery and local cidery, bakery and local food products on food products on the Niagara Escarpmentthe Niagara Escarpment

Green building – straw bale Green building – straw bale construction and geothermal construction and geothermal heating, wood fired stone heating, wood fired stone oven, fermentation cellar, oven, fermentation cellar, advanced IPM growing advanced IPM growing techniques and moretechniques and more

Vision for CaledonVision for Caledon

When you look at our farmland and countryside (including When you look at our farmland and countryside (including the 27,000 acres in Caledon’s White Belt) start to imagine the 27,000 acres in Caledon’s White Belt) start to imagine the potential of local food.  Instead of more houses, the potential of local food.  Instead of more houses, imagine building the foundation of a new green economy - imagine building the foundation of a new green economy - a local and sustainable food system with family farms, a local and sustainable food system with family farms, orchards, market gardens, vineyards, farm market stores, orchards, market gardens, vineyards, farm market stores, bakeries, dairies, butchers, local businesses and much bakeries, dairies, butchers, local businesses and much more and all eco-friendly.  Let’s start thinking seriously more and all eco-friendly.  Let’s start thinking seriously about the legacy we are going to leave for future about the legacy we are going to leave for future generations.  Farmland doesn’t have to be land waiting to generations.  Farmland doesn’t have to be land waiting to be developed – there is a higher and better use.be developed – there is a higher and better use.

Vision for RexdaleVision for Rexdale

When you look at our vacant lots and abandoned factories, When you look at our vacant lots and abandoned factories, start to imagine the potential of local food.  Instead of more start to imagine the potential of local food.  Instead of more infill houses or strip malls, imagine building the foundation infill houses or strip malls, imagine building the foundation of a new green economy - a local and sustainable food of a new green economy - a local and sustainable food system with market gardens, orchards, shops, culturally system with market gardens, orchards, shops, culturally relevant food production facilities, bakeries, butchers, local relevant food production facilities, bakeries, butchers, local businesses and much more and all eco-friendly. Let’s start businesses and much more and all eco-friendly. Let’s start thinking seriously about the legacy we are going to leave thinking seriously about the legacy we are going to leave for future generations.  Vacant lots don’t have to be land for future generations.  Vacant lots don’t have to be land waiting to be developed – there is a higher and better use. waiting to be developed – there is a higher and better use.

Again, Why Local Food?Again, Why Local Food?

Remember the numbers: $3 billion influx Remember the numbers: $3 billion influx into the local economy each year with 5 into the local economy each year with 5 million Ontarians spending $10 of their million Ontarians spending $10 of their grocery budget on local food each week.grocery budget on local food each week.

We have the opportunity to build a new We have the opportunity to build a new green economy that doesn’t leave anybody green economy that doesn’t leave anybody behind. We have the opportunity to build a behind. We have the opportunity to build a good, fair, clean and eco-friendly food good, fair, clean and eco-friendly food system for all. That’s why local food.system for all. That’s why local food.

Thank you to the staff and Thank you to the staff and volunteers of the Ontario Trillium volunteers of the Ontario Trillium Foundation for believing in our Foundation for believing in our

vision and supporting us to vision and supporting us to deliver leading edge programs.deliver leading edge programs.