Community Food Security: Systemic issues & local solutions

Image courtesy of Urban Roots London

Image courtesy of Urban Roots London

Written by the Middlesex London Food Policy Council

The food system is broken. I don’t think that’s big news to anyone though. The pandemic made visible issues surrounding migrant farmworkers, which has highlighted the fragility of Canada’s food system, its dependence on migrant farmworkers, and problems with living and working conditions for people who plant and harvest our food. In terms of community food security, addressing these issues is essential for our access to local food.

Climate change is making our food systems even more vulnerable. The likelihood of extreme weather events disrupting the food system is growing (IPCC, 2019). On the positive, consumption of healthy and sustainable diets present major opportunities for reducing emissions and improving health outcomes.

If we want a just, sustainable local food system, we need to make some changes. Our community has made big strides towards local food security (and thankfully so, since southwestern Ontario contains Canada’s richest, most fertile agricultural land). The successes over the past year are largely due to diverse people and groups coming together, a key component of fixing our food system.Food brings people together, and people bring healthy food systems together, improving all of our food security. Some of the successes from the past year include:

  • The Grove at Western Fair District’s new Knowing and Growing Garden opened, and their Wormery is processing organic waste on-site and creating worm castings to enrich garden soils

  • London Food Bank constructed a 30x70’ greenhouse and is distributing greenhouses to community groups, for free!

  • A new Snack Bags @ Home Pilot Project ensures students can access healthy snacks while studying at home

  • MLFPC co-hosted its first public forums on Local Food Security Part 1: Finding Room to Grow and Local Food Security Part 2: Making Urban Agriculture Easier

  • City support for urban agriculture with the “Making Urban Agriculture Easy,” report and recommendations to improve awareness of what’s allowed, and also allowing more activities, like bigger greenhouses

There is a lot you can do to support community food security and a strong local food system. Try growing a garden! Advocate for things like farmland protection (reducing urban sprawl), financial support for ecological farming practices, and better conditions for migrant farmworkers. Shop at local farmers markets, farm or home gate sales (did you know you can sell produce grown at home in London – AKA home gate sale), or other local outlets.

We also welcome you to volunteer with the MLFPC! Share your success stories, take policy action, or co-host an event with us. Follow MLFPC on social media or email us (info@mlfpc.ca) to get involved.

However you choose to take action, consider how your food choices contribute to a healthy food system, which supports healthy people, and a healthy planet.

Zero HungerMiddlesex London Food Policy Council