Food systems planning is a relatively new area of interest. One of the first journal articles about this area of planning was one of our readings: Pothukuchi, K. & Kaufman, J. (2000) The food system: A stranger to the planning field. Journal of the American Planning Association 66 (2), pp. 112-24. This article describes how food systems planning is mostly absent from planning practice, research and education.
Food systems planning is a cross-cutting area of interest. In order to look at food systems, a planner needs to involve others from a variety of government departments/agencies. By not 'belonging' to anyone and yet needing to be considered by everyone, food systems planning could fall between the cracks. Within most mainstream planning agencies, areas of focus, especially those previously ignored/overlooked or emerging need advocates - individuals or groups who ensure that the topic is 'alive' for those planning and making decisions. Previous examples, in Vancouver, are the Children's Advocate or the Child and Youth Advocate - positions that reported to Council and had a mandate to ask powerful questions of decision makers and ensure that children and/or youth did not fall off anyone's agenda. Food systems planning needs more advocates - not just in North America but around the world. In Vancouver, we seem to have progressed over the last decade.
A Food Charter was adopted by Council in 2007:
A Food Policy Council is an advisory group of engaged citizens that reports to Council:
They work towards the development of a just and sustainable food system for the City.
One of the co-chairs of the Food Policy Council (FPC) came to class. His passion for food systems planning reverberated in the energy he brought to our room. Everything he said - about his work on the FPC and the work he did for money - seemed to be integrated into his life - he was living the values he was promoting. Individuals like him are inspirational by just being.
Just like our guest speaker's values were integrated into his life, food systems planning n
eeds to be integrated into all planning, by individuals, communities and governments. I was reading an article about the 'fatigue' folks are feeling about having to think about the food they buying and eating. One consumer was complaining about how 'political correctness' was overpowering the information about food. Another about feeling guilty for eating what she chose to eat. The article seemed to be about how we were being asked to think too much about food. Some of those commenting on the story noted that we think a great deal (not to mention watch/read/discuss) about which phone/computer/appliance/vehicle to purchase and yet, until recently, we have been 'excused' from thinking about food. So it isn't that we are being made to think too much about our food, it is that we are once again making food central to existence. I'm sure Mr/Ms Early Human gave food a great deal of thought. Considering the impact of what we have been eating two to three times a day, some moments of thought might be in order.
eeds to be integrated into all planning, by individuals, communities and governments. I was reading an article about the 'fatigue' folks are feeling about having to think about the food they buying and eating. One consumer was complaining about how 'political correctness' was overpowering the information about food. Another about feeling guilty for eating what she chose to eat. The article seemed to be about how we were being asked to think too much about food. Some of those commenting on the story noted that we think a great deal (not to mention watch/read/discuss) about which phone/computer/appliance/vehicle to purchase and yet, until recently, we have been 'excused' from thinking about food. So it isn't that we are being made to think too much about our food, it is that we are once again making food central to existence. I'm sure Mr/Ms Early Human gave food a great deal of thought. Considering the impact of what we have been eating two to three times a day, some moments of thought might be in order.
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