[BCFSN] Fwd: help with spreading word about seed producers survey

[Abra Brynne]

Hello BCFSN

 

Engaging with Governments for Food Security-It's Election Time!

 

The BC Food Systems Network is encouraging members around the Province to
look at opportunities to bring food issues to the forefront during the
upcoming municipal elections. How do we ensure  that municipal councils will
be working towards a more localized, equitable and sustainable food systems?
Getting active during the elections fits into a greater longer-term strategy
to work with all levels of government, to promote more food secure
communities.  The following information outlines 

1.	Upcoming election date
2.	Opportunities that elections provide to get food issues into the
limelight
3.	10 ideas for activities that can be done during an election process
4.	10 questions you can ask your candidates

 

Here is a link for more info about voting:
<http://www.municipalelections.com/voters_guide.htm>
http://www.municipalelections.com/voters_guide.htm

 

Linda Geggie 

BC Food Systems Policy Chair

www.bcfsn.org

http://bcfsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cropped-BCFoodSystem_green.jpg

 

1.  Upcoming Election: 

 

 

Municipal Elections  date: November 15, 2014

 

2. Opportunities

 

Possibly the most important thing you can do during an election time is to
VOTE!  As voter turnout is so low (especially at the Municipal level), your
vote has a lot of power and getting others out to vote is also important.  

 

It is important to learn about your candidates and your choices.  Some of
the ways to do this are to:

*     Search for information on the web

*     Attend all candidates meetings

*     Read your local newspaper

*     Ask people about who they are voting for and why

 

Following are some ideas for actions around the elections that have been
submitted to us.  There is also a list of possible questions you might put
out to your local candidates.  We hope this gives you some ideas about
participating in the elections and getting food issues on the radar.

 

Opportunities that elections provide:

1.	putting food issue into the public spotlight during the elections
2.	increasing participation of citizens in the electoral process, get
people out to vote
3.	finding out where candidates/representatives stand on the issues
4.	provide information to voters
5.	promote voting for, and election of, food friendly candidates
6.	setting the stage for post-election action-opening the door

 

 

3.  10 ideas for activities that can be done during the election process

 

1.	Provide information to networks about the election, when the all
candidates meetings are, and reminders to vote (email listserves, meetings,
etc.).

 

2.	Send information to all the candidates and ask them to provide
answers to some specific questions (see ideas below).  Formulate questions
that allow you to come back after they are elected to hold them to it/help
them do it.

 

3.	Publicize candidate's responses /positions- through the media, write
letters to the editor, hold meetings, write to newsletters, etc.).

 

4.	Send a list of food system related questions out to your networks to
take to all- candidates meetings, people can add their own questions or
adapt them to their liking.

 

5.	Host a networking meeting of candidates who are supportive of food
issues

 

6.	If you can, endorse candidates if they are able to give support to
key points or a written statement.  Have a number of groups or your network
agree to support candidates and promote them through the networks if they
sign on.

 

7.	Invite candidates to a forum where they will be asked to respond to
some key statements, or provide a forum where they can express their
concerns and ideas/solutions about food security issues-send follow up
information of what you learn to your networks.

 

8.	Attend all-candidates meetings on related topics (economy,
environment, housing, health) and pose questions related to food security
and the topic.

 

9.	Write a letter to the editor outlining key issues and concerns,
stating these are election issues and ask people to take them out to the
all-candidates meetings and also meet directly with candidates in their area

 

10.	Start an email campaign -identifying who are the food friendly
candidates in your jurisdiction and anything you know about what they have
already done in the area or promise to do.

 

 

 

4. 10 Possible Questions for Candidates:

 

 

1.    What do you think is the municipalities' role in planning and
promoting sustainable food systems?

 

2.    What would be your priority project related to food and agriculture
over your term? 

 

3.    A Food Charter sets out a vision for a health oriented, local and
equitable food system.  If elected, would you support the adoption of a Food
Charter for your jurisdiction?

 

4.    Is protecting farmland for future generations important to you?  Do
you agree that all lands in the ALR should remain within the ALR? Are there
other ways that we can ensure land is available and accessible for growing
food into the future?

 

5.    Food production and transportation is a significant source of
greenhouse gas emissions.  How importantly do you rate the production of
food regionally, in an attempt to mitigate climate change?

 

6.    Would you support the use of municipal lands and infrastructure to
support the development of local food systems, for example for farmers
markets, demonstration sites, farm incubators, leasing land to farmers,
community gardens, food hubs?

 

7.    Would you support a municipal food purchasing policy, embedding a 10%
target for municipal outlets having food being produced from within the
region?

 

8.    What would you do to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to
sufficient, good, local food?

 

9.    Would you support the development of a Regional Food Policy Council?
What would you see as their most important task?

 

10. Would you advocate for the municipality to work with other levels of
government on food security issues?  What issues do you see as being a
priority for this region to work on with other levels of government?

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://bcfsn.org/pipermail/food_bcfsn.org/attachments/20141016/65a48af9/attachment-0003.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 279 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://bcfsn.org/pipermail/food_bcfsn.org/attachments/20141016/65a48af9/attachment-0001.gif>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 2885 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://bcfsn.org/pipermail/food_bcfsn.org/attachments/20141016/65a48af9/attachment-0001.jpg>