Taking Action

Food security may well be the toughest issue to discuss. I think this saying that I am borrowing from The West Wing says it all. "The thing we take most for granted is the thing that turns around and bites us hardest in the ass when a problem arises. President Bartlett was referring to the damage mad cow disease or the rumour of bad cow disease could do to the United Sates economy. I just spent the past two days at a Sustainability and Education conference where I delivered a workshop on food security with an emphasis on developing an eat Local Campaign. The campaign slogan is borrowed from the Think Globally, Act Locally campaign and is Think Globally, Eat Locally. The focus of the workshop was creating an action plan. I feel that this is important information that any one or any organization can use to develop a local action plan so I decided to feature it in this week's article. First some definitions to help put it all into context.

What is "Food Security"? Food security for our community would mean that ALL people of Thunder Bay and surrounding areas had access to safe, nutritious, and personally acceptable food at ALL times. People would be able to get food in ways that did not stigmatize or embarrass them.

Foodshed:

The term "foodshed," borrowed from the concept of a watershed, was coined as early as 1929 to describe the flow of food from the area where it is grown into the place where it is consumed. Recently, the term has been revived as a way of looking at and thinking about local, sustainable food systems.

Why Mapping?

Maps are tools that shape our perception of place. All humanity, particularly the majority who live in cities, is challenged to protect, enhance create healthy social and natural environments. Community mapping provides an inclusive and graphic framework for people to affirm and pool their experiences and knowledge about their home place.

References:

food security

foodshed

community mapping

The follow eight step plan can be used to develop any community project.

Action Plan: Foodshed Mapping Project Eat Local

Step One: Identify the problem: Why is action necessary?

Step Two: Form a group of like-minded individuals.

Step Three: Determine and assign initial tasks.

Step Four: Form an action group.

Step Five: Funding

Step Six: Create the timeline: what gets done when.

Step Seven: Create media/communications plan.

Step Eight: Develop promotional materials.

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