Editor:
Many well-informed documents have been presented to our community on the possibilities for economic development. These vision documents, typically driven by government or contracted by the same, are very well intended, yet implementation seems to be a challenge.
There are also many reports of needs in our community. An example is the 2014 Vital Signs report produced by the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation (SCCF). The document highlighted food security as a sector of concern. There is a broad base of activity in this area that is only further confirmed by the SCCF.
If we are to effect change in this or any other sector of our community, we need to understand how we can share resources, information and procurement.
These are some of the questions the Food Policy Council steering committee has been investigating with an objective to establish it as a viable entity in advocating for our local food economy.
The event being promoted for June 26 to accomplish this objective is more than just positioning the Food Policy Council as an advocate for local food policy. It is about bringing together various aspects of the local food conversation into one room. It will likely have an outcome leading to a structure that facilitates the broad base of the conversation around local food matters. It seems that a cooperative model that provides engagement for multi-level stakeholders is one that could very well maximize resources, minimize duplication and move from visioning to implementation.
This is an opportunity to bring your voice forward. This is a call to action resulting from genuine listening.
Please visit www.secheltrotary.ca and follow the “Local Food” link to register to be part of growing our local economy.
Norm Blair, co-chair, Food Policy Council Steering Committee
