Prince George City Council approved the endorsement of the Community Food Charter at this week’s meeting.
According to a staff report to Council, the Community Food Charter outlines a shared community vision for a just, sustainable local food system.
It emphasizes integrated food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management supporting self-reliance, social justice, poverty reduction, and improved environmental and community health.
Everyone At the Table (EAT) is an action group that came together in 2021 to mobilize community action around food sovereignty and security.
EAT presented to City Council in January, outlining a proposal for municipal adoption of a food charter. At that meeting, City Council refer the presentation for review and a report back with recommendations respecting the City’s potential role in the proposed Food Charter and the development of a food policy council.
The Charter can be found here.
According to the City, endorsement of the charter does not amend or supersede the Official Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw, or any other municipal policies or statutory authorities, nor does it constitute a commitment of municipal funding, staffing resources or capital investment.
Any proposed changes to land use, zoning or municipal operations would have to follow established Council processes, and any future actions arising from the Charter will be brought forward to Council for separate consideration.
“When former Councillor Krause and I worked on the Poverty Reduction Committee ages ago, this was one of the recommendations that had come out of that committee, and so it’s good to see those recommendations coming to life,” said Councillor Cori Ramsay. “I think this is going to be such a good thing for our community.”
City Council also voted to have a report returned on the City of Kamloops’ role in their food charter.
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