M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E |
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M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E |
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To / Destinataire |
Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee / Comité de la
santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux
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From / Expéditeur |
Jocelyne St Jean, General Manager/ Directrice générale People Services / Service aux citoyens |
Contact/Personne-ressource : Colleen Hendrick, Director Innovation,
Development and Partnerships/ Directrice,
Innovation, développement et partenariats 724-4122 ext.24366 colleen.hendrick@ottawa.ca |
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Subject / Objet |
Update Report on
the Ottawa Food Security Council / Mise à jour du conseil sur la
sécurité alimentaire |
Date: September
4, 2003 / Le 4 septembre 2003 |
BACKGROUND
On February 6, 2003, the Food Security Group submitted a report to the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee identifying the rationale for establishing an Ottawa Food Security Council and presented key issues related to the design of such a Council.
The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee and Council approved the following motion:
Whereas
food security is an issue that affects all community members, especially those
living in poverty;
Whereas
lack of food security inhibits the ability of community members including
children to fully participate and contribute to the well-being of the
community;
Whereas
access to basics including food forms a theme in the Draft Human Services Plan;
Whereas
the Draft Human Services Plan proposes to “build community capacity, in
partnership with the community, to increase food security for all citizens,
particularly those on low income” as an action to reduce poverty and increase
self-sufficiency;
Whereas
a focus on promotion of healthy eating practices has an impact on the
occurrence of food related diseases such as heart disease, obesity and
diabetes;
Whereas
there is currently no local agency whose mandate is to ensure that sustainable
and environmentally appropriate solutions are found to the problem of community
food security;
Whereas
many positive changes to the food system can only be affected at the City
level;
And
whereas the Ottawa Food Security Council will begin operations in March 2003;
Therefore
be it resolved that the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee
recommend Council endorse having a City Councillor and City staff serve on the
Ottawa Food Security Council;
And
that City staff be directed to nominate appropriate officials to the Council
and determine an appropriate level of support for the Ottawa Food Security
Council, and report back in two months.
And that this proposal be forwarded to the Business Development group to develop methodologies of co-operation between consumers and niche producers, farmer markets, distributions promotion etc; and that this be incorporated as part of the report back to Committee and Council.
DISCUSSION
The Ottawa Food Security Group disbanded on March 25, 2003 to become the Ottawa Food Security Council (OFSC), comprised of approximately 18 members including one City Councillor and one City staff. Following Council direction, Councillor Janet Stavinga’s nomination to serve on the OFSC was approved at Council on April 17, 2003. Each member is from the community who either works or volunteers in the food sector. As the OFSC establishes itself, the Council will look at including members from un-represented communities. Appendix 1 identifies the members on the Ottawa Food Security Council.
Early in 2003, the Ottawa Food Security Group developed the draft mission statement and the terms of reference for the OFSC. The OFSC terms of reference and mission statement were endorsed by the members of the Council at their meeting in April 2003. The OFSC began clarifying and negotiating issues such as priorities, gaps and what each member brings to the table. Projects that will be considered as part of the OFSC workplan include the following: (1) public education; (2) policy and advocacy; (3) web site development; (4) media relations; (5) land use/preservation; (6) working with hunger/hungry children organizations; (7) organizing a local World Food Day event. The OFSC will take a systemic approach in moving toward the mission of making Ottawa a food secure community. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs, as well as to culturally acceptable food preferences for an active and healthy life. Health, environment and education will be areas of focus for the Council. Please refer to Appendix 2 for details on the Terms of Reference for the Ottawa Food Security Council.
The OFSC will partner and liaise with community members, producers and consumers to encourage access to adequate food that is affordable, culturally acceptable and nutritious in ways that are effective, efficient and respectful of human dignity and the environment. The OFSC will also play an educational role to raise awareness and understanding of the current food system and provide a vehicle through which members of the public can voice concerns, propose solutions and pursue constructive action.
Representation by the City staff on the Ottawa Food Security Council will be provided by the Innovation, Development and Partnerships Branch. Staff will attend the monthly meetings at the Council and will offer expertise to establish partnerships to address food security issues in Ottawa. City staff will also facilitate communication and collaboration by providing a forum for dialogue for a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in building a food secure Ottawa and will be the link to other City departments. This process will help connect people who are involved in food issues in different ways. The Ottawa Food Security Council has specifically requested City staff to provide support to facilitate workshops regarding public education programs. The Council has not yet determined how many workshops will be planned through the year. Support will also be provided regarding city wide events (e.g. World Food Day) by facilitating communication with other City Departments.
Staff have consulted with the Development Services Department. Development Services noted that there is value in exploring opportunities to link the local agriculture producers with the local consumer markets. The idea of developing co-operation and distribution is consistent with the strategic direction being proposed in the City’s Economic Strategy. The Business Development Branch, in conjunction with partners such as the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Standing Committees, the OFSC, the Ottawa Federation of Agriculture, Slow Food Ottawa/Gatineau and other interest groups and stakeholders, will be preparing a budget request to develop an initiative aimed at linking local agricultural products to local consumers. The budgetary impact will be examined when the Business Development Branch and the OFSC have prioritized its projects, prepared a project budget and developed terms of reference. The Business Development Branch is prepared to begin this partnership in the immediate future.
This initiative will be consistent with the City policies and directions as laid out in the City’s Economic Strategy.
The Business Development Branch, in partnership with the
Ottawa Food Security Council, will begin developing terms of reference and a
project budget
The Ottawa Food Security Council will have an impact on residents city-wide, including consideration of issues which impact rural residents (i.e. access to markets, attracting and encouraging small-scale food processors and health inspection protocols).
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document
1 List of members of the
Ottawa Food Security Council
Document 2 Terms of Reference for the Ottawa Food Security Council
Document 1
Document 2
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE OTTAWA FOOD SECURITY COUNCIL
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Ottawa Food Security Council (OFSC) is to ensure that Ottawa is a food-secure community.
INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
- Use the human “Right to Food” as a basis for the Council’s activities.
- Build bridges between local producers, people who are food-insecure, other consumers, funders, retailers and community organizations.
- Provide a vehicle through which members of the public can voice concerns, propose solutions and pursue constructive action.
- Actively involve various sectors in committees.
- Provide education and information to increase understanding of the food system.
- Help people help themselves (e.g., food-growing projects, community gardens etc.)
The Ottawa Food Security Council will be composed of between 12 and 20 members of which 1 will be a City Councillor. To be eligible as a Council member, an individual must:
- Live or work in the City of Ottawa
- Bring a commitment to work on community food security issues and solutions.
- Possess an understanding of or experience in at least one of the following areas: food security, public health policy, advocating for community interests, community nutrition, child nutrition, food production, urban agriculture, food distribution or retailing, community development (including community economic development), consumer information systems, agro-ecosystem issues, resource management, urban or rural planning.
- Be an active participant in a network, agency, association or entity dealing with at least one of the following broad areas: hunger, food access, community nutrition, school meals, food policy research, agriculture, agricultural land protection, ethical/green investment, social policy, environmental protection, gender and ethno-cultural access and equity, youth, seniors’ issues.
- Be able to attend Ottawa Food Security Council meetings and be able to participate in any related committee work.
The OFSC will be housed in the offices of the Social Planning Council of Ottawa.
COUNCILLORS AND MEETINGS
For the first Council, there will be staggered terms to ensure continuity. Half of the Council members will be appointed for a one-year term. The other half will be appointed for a two-year term. Thereafter, members will be appointed for two-year terms. OFSC members may serve for a maximum of 6 consecutive years.
The Executive Committee will be composed of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and a Treasurer. The full Council will elect Council members to fill these posts.
A Nominations Committee will be charged with the responsibility of recruiting new members to the Council. This will occur at year-end when a Councillor’s term expires or when a Councillor is unable to complete his/her term. This committee, (and indirectly full Council) in the selection of Councillors, must give due diligence to achieving a balance and diverse representation on the Council, including gender balance, members of the Francophone community, ethno-cultural communities and representatives from the food system.
Other committees of the Council may be created as needed. Non-OFSC members may sit on all committees, except the Executive Committee. Council members will chair the committees.
If a Council member misses three meetings without regrets being offered, the member will be assumed to have resigned. If felt necessary, the executive committee of the OFSC may refer the issue to the full Council where a majority vote would determine the member’s status.
The Nominations Committee will bring forward names to be approved by the full Council.
Forty per cent of the number of Councillors will form a quorum for the transaction of business.
The Ottawa Food Security Council will meet once a month. Meetings will be open to the public. The public would be expected to sign-in and may participate in the meeting but will not have voting rights. Where matters of a confidential nature are being discussed, the Council has the right to hold an in camera session.
Meetings will be carried on in a spirit of consensus. For orderly meetings, Robert’s Rules will be adhered to.
The Executive Committee has the right to call for a special meeting if executive members feel it is required. Councillors making up one third of membership may call a special meeting of the OFSC. This meeting must be held within two weeks of the Chairperson being notified.
All questions will be decided by a simple majority vote. Alternates will have full voting rights.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
- Will preside at all meetings of the Ottawa Food Security Council.
- Will be an ex officio member of all committees.
- Will perform other duties as may be specified by the Ottawa Food Security Council.
- Will assist the Chairperson and perform the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence or temporary inability to serve.
- Other duties as may be specified by the Ottawa Food Security Council.
- Will be responsible for the books of the Ottawa Food Security Council.
- Will present the annual budget and annual financial statements.
- Will perform other duties as may be specified by the Ottawa Food Security Council.