Toronto Food Policy Council- An Example for the World
Posted in Models, RDAG by Devin Maeztri on April 16th, 2009
The City of Toronto created the Toronto Food Policy Council (TFPC) in 1991 in the absence of federal and provincial leadership on food security.
TFPC partners with business and community groups (including City Councillors and volunteer representatives from consumer, business, farm, labour, multicultural, anti-hunger advocacy, faith, and community development groups) to develop policies and programs promoting food security – the TFPC has been instrumental in putting Food Security and Food Policy development squarely on the municipal agenda in Toronto
aim is a food system that fosters equitable food access, nutrition, community development and environmental health. They operate as a sub- committee of the Toronto Board of Health, have a small staff and modest budget. They have no authority to pass or enforce laws yet are free to make their own decisions on food policy issues.
This innovative and effective arrangement has gained international respect from public health, community food security and sustainable agriculture organisations. The staff and council members serve as catalysts and brokers bringing people from different organisations together to help them find new ways to solve old problems.
The Council is a forum for discussing and integrating policy issues that often fall between the cracks of established
departments and research specialities. Staff and members advocate for policy change at the municipal, provincial and federal level.
To find out more about the Toronto Food Policy Council visit http://www.toronto.ca/health/tfpc_index.htm.
This is from “Social Innovations in Victorian Food Systems”, case studies by Ferne Edwards.
