Middlesex London Food Policy Council
- What is a Food Policy Council?
A Food Policy Council is made up of members representing many parts of the food system including production, distribution, consumption and waste.
The History
Local citizens, farmers, non-profit organizations and government stakeholders have worked together for years to strengthen a local food system for Middlesex-London. Several great things have happened and are still going on in our community.
Below are some of the events that are related to building a stronger local food system.
2007
• London’s Food Charter Development Group is formed.
2011
• London City Council endorses London’s Food Charter, which establishes a vision of London as a food secure community. Part of the recommendation includes exploring the creation of a long-term group that will implement the Food Charter.
2012
• London Training Centre publishes their report on Sustainable Food Systems.
• London Community Foundation hosts a focus group to talk about gaps in the local food system.
• The County of Middlesex Official Plan includes statements and policies that promote sustainable local food systems.
2013
• Ontario Local Food Act is enacted to help support the growth of successful and resilient local food economies and systems throughout Ontario.
2014
• February: London Community Foundation, City of London and Middlesex London Health Unit host a Food Forum to determine the potential for a local food council. Attendees express unanimous support for a future Middlesex-London Food Policy Council (MLFPC).
• October: Second community forum discusses the development, framework and activities for a future Food Policy Council. Attendees unanimously support a partnership model for a future FPC co-led by two community organizations. The group recommends a community food assessment (CFA) be completed as the next step.
2015
• January-April: The Community Food Assessment Implementation Team is created. The Community Food Assessment is supported by the London Community Foundation, City of London, London Food Bank and Middlesex-London Health Unit.
• May: County of Middlesex Agriculture Strategy Report and Recommendations released with the guiding principle of increasing employment, investment and production in a sustainable manner. Also, the second draft of The London Plan, Draft 2 outlines strategies for building a “sustainable and strengthened local food system” within “City Building Policies”.
• Fall: Middlesex-London Community Food Assessment initiated and Asset Mapping/Priority Setting Community Sessions are held.
2016
• May: Community forum, inviting stakeholders to make decisions on terms of reference and present highlights of Community Food Assessment.
• June: Public release of the Middlesex-London Community Food Assessment Report and the Middlesex-London Food Policy Council Application to invite those interested to apply for Initial Food Policy Council membership.
• Fall: Meeting to plan for MLFPC governance and membership and recruitment for MLFPC members.
2017
• January: Inaugural meeting of MLFPC with first members.
2018
• February: Beyond Waste forum held at Western University.
2021
• MLFPC Food System Champion Campaign initiated.
2022
• MLFPC Food System Champion Campaign initiated
• Community Food Assessment update and multiphase research.
• November Event “Know Your Food”.
2023
• November Event “Taste, Talk and Connect” to release Multiphase Research findings.
