The strategy provides a framework to identify gaps and challenges in Hamilton’s existing food-related strategies. Further, it encourages collaborative and innovative courses of actions from City officials and community stakeholders to address these gaps and areas of opportunity. The strategy adopts a holistic food-system approach to optimize equity and effectiveness. 46 actions are identified with 5 priority actions to be taken on within the first two to three years.
Blog Archives
Calgary Food System Assessment and Action Plan, Calgary, Alberta
The plan provides a baseline analysis of Calgary’s food system in order to identify issues, areas of opportunity, and gaps between the city’s current food system and previously identified targets. The plan also includes community action plans to develop and implement effective food practices at a localized level.
Vancouver Food Strategy, Vancouver, British Columbia
The strategy takes a systems-based approach to integrate Vancouver’s food systems goals with existing socioeconomic and demographic trends within the city. In addition, the strategy identifies five action areas to be focused on during the implementation period. These include food production, empowering residents, food access, food processing and distribution and food waste. The strategy also seeks to ensure that recommended food systems actions are aligned with broader city-wide policies and plans.
Fork Food Lab Fiscal Sponsorship, Portland, Maine
Establishes fiscal sponsorship of Food Fork Lab, a for-profit commercial incubator kitchen space, tasting room and food business incubator facility in the Bayside Neighborhood of Portland; creates an annual-renewing sponsorship as part of a larger partnership with the City of Portland to sponsor programs supporting local arts and culture within Portland.
Shaping Portland’s Food System f/k/a The Mayor’s Initiative for a Healthy and Sustainable Food System, Portland, Maine
Provide continued and increased public engagement in food-related policies and initiatives; Identify and implement positive changes in the community’s food systems and policies; Prioritize and respond to City and community identified needs for food system change and improvement; and Increase access to healthier food for residents. This program ultimately lead to the creation of the Portland Food Council.
City of Los Angeles Administrative Code, Chapter 17: City Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone Program(“UAIZ”)
This City ordinance lays out the eligibility criteria, application process and administration of the UAIZ program which allows for use of vacant land for small-scale agriculture combined with a reduced property tax assessment for participating property owners. This is intended to promote and support urban agriculture and access to healthy food.
City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan
Work to reestablish funding to the Oregon State University Extension Service for educational opportunities; integrate sustainable food system issues into planning process for Multnomah Food Initiative; encourage local food production, providing incentives and removing regulatory obstacles; develop policy and provide programmatic resources to increase percentage of home-grown and locally-sourced foods; promote consideration of carbon emissions related to food procution, transportation, use and disposal as cirteria for purchasing decisions; prepare and assessment of climate-related vulnerabilities, strengths and resiliency of local food to better understand likely impacts of climate change.
City of Portland, Maine, Code of Ordinances: Chap. 21 Farmers’ Markets
The ordinance identifies specific sites, times and days of the week where farmers’ markets may be held on City property, types of products which can be sold and the sets maximum temperatures for perishable products.
South Portland Food Cupboard Program
Allocates grant funds to provide food assistance and hunger-alleviation services to low-to-moderate income residents of the City of South Portland. The program services include a food pantry, community resource help desk, service to home bound seniors and Snack Packs which are pre-packaged snack-sized foods for families with children 12-years and under.
City of Portland, Maine, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14, Land Use
Defines agriculture and agricultural practices, including tilled land, nurseries, greenhouses and truck gardens, as permitted uses within specified residential zones; allows products produced on the premises to be sold on the premises; allows a single stand of no more than 200 square feet floor area for the sale of agricultural products; permits the parking and storage of agricultural equipment, so long as it is not in the front yard; defines the use of conservation easements over agricultural land; sets forth regulations on the spreading, storage, stockpiling and disposal of manure and fertilizers for agricultural use; regulates the size and proximity of allowed agricultural practices, such as tilled land and grazing areas, in regards to water bodies, coastal wetlands, tributary streams and freshwater wetlands. Provides for seafood processing for human consumption in certain commercial zones and food preparation (i.e. commercial kitchen) in industrial zones (though not for service at those sites). Creates regulation on food waste disposal from packaging/processing facilities. Provides guidelines about food service (restaurant) locations and food processing in waterfront and commercial zones.