[BCFSN] Four UBCM resolutions re: food security

[Tan, Deanna]

Hi everyone,

The full resolutions book has been released by UBCM and there are actually 4 resolutions related to food security that are being recommended for endorsement.  So as a heads up, when reaching out to your municipal contacts to mention all 4, not just Revelstoke!

https://www.ubcm.ca/assets/Resolutions~and~Policy/Resolutions/2019%20UBCM%20ANNUAL%20REPORT%20&%20RESOLUTIONS%20BOOK.pdf

B32 Agricultural Support Services Alberni-Clayoquot RD

Whereas agricultural extension services support government and community priorities around food security, economic development, climate change adaptation and water management;
And whereas agricultural producers and stakeholders in each Regional District are subject to unique challengesand opportunities that are difficult to address in the long-term or in a consistent manner without predictable, nonproject-based funding:
Therefore be it resolved that the Ministry of Agriculture provide funding to local Governments through a stable, annual and accountable framework to establish strategic and long-term regional agricultural extension supports.

B66 Food Security Port Coquitlam
Whereas it is important that BC Communities have a local food system to enable access to affordable and healthy food options and improve community sustainability and BC Communities should encourage awareness about and the expansion of a regional food system;
And whereas the provincial government is committed to promoting healthful living and making BC a healthy place to be:
Therefore be it resolved that the BC Ministry of Health be requested to initiate programs and partnerships to increase community awareness of the benefits of nutritious and affordable food and support regional initiatives to enhance community food security.

B69 Income-Based Solutions to Household Food Insecurity Revelstoke
Whereas more than one in ten households in BC, [1 in 7 households in the Interior Health region], experience household food insecurity and are more vulnerable to chronic conditions leading to health care costs that are two times higher than food secure households;
And whereas rates of household food insecurity are not reduced by food programs because they cannot address the root cause of household food insecurity, being lack of income and extreme material deprivation:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM frame household food insecurity as an income-based problem and advocate to provincial and federal governments for evidence-based income policy solutions to food insecurity.

B70 Provincial Universal School Food Program Victoria
Whereas almost 500,000 individuals in BC experience food insecurity, and Canada remains one of the only Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations without a national school food program and Canada's current patchwork of school food programming reaches only a small percentage of students;
And whereas school food programs have been shown to increase children's consumption of vegetables, fruits and other healthy foods and decrease the consumption of unhealthy ones; improve students' mental health, including reductions in behavioural and emotional problems; improve cognitive skills and increase scholastic success:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the provincial government for a Universal Healthy School Food Program that will enable all students in BC to have access to healthy meals at school, building on existing programs and including food education to serve culturally appropriate, local, sustainable food to the fullest extent possible.

Deanna

Deanna Tan Francoeur, Registered Dietitian
Public Health Dietitian (Burnaby, New Westminster, Delta)

Fraser Health - Public Health
300 - 4946 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC  V5G 4H7
Tel: 604-918-7608
Fax: 604-918-7630

deanna.tan at fraserhealth.ca<mailto:deanna.tan at fraserhealth.ca>
[cid:image001.png at 01D297F0.142797D0]Follow me on Twitter: @deannatan1


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