Increasing Sustainability in
the Local Food System
Meaghan Richardson, P.Ag
Feeding Halton
Agri-Market and Food Procurement Coordinator
Agriculture in Halton Region
• Comprised of Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills (Georgetown and
Acton) and Milton municipalities.
• Milton is the fastest growing city Canada.
• Halton has a population of 501,669 in 2011 census.
• Average Household Income Halton: $119,403.00. In Ontario:
$85.772.00 (2011 National Household Survey)
• Total # of farms in Halton: 469 (including hobby and equestrian)
(17 % decrease from 2006 ;2011 census).
• Age Demographics of Farm Operators: 30 under 35, 204 from
35-54, 410 are 55+
• # of fruit and vegetable farmers in Halton: 24 (19 on Simply
Local, 24 from research)
• Acres of Farmland: 79,567 acres (10% decrease from 2006 to
2011)
• Average Farm Size: 170 acres (8% increase from 2006 to 2011)
Feeding Halton’s Vision and Mission
Vision - All Halton residents have access to
locally grown food.
Mission – The Feeding Halton Collaborative will
provide equitable access to local food for
residents of Halton. Working together, we will
increase the market for farmers and promote the
importance of eating local foods to our
community.
The Collaborative
HRFA
Reasons to Collaborate
- Reduce Confusion and Overlap
- Increase Efficiencies
- Farmers require increased options for local
produce sales
- Staffing
- Collective Impact
- Pooling Resources and Receiving Funding
- Integration of Specificities
Farm Fresh Markets
Extending the Harvest
Feeding Halton’s 2014 Stats
• From 2013 to 2014 the number of local farmers selling /
donating increased by 38%.
• $32,000.00 spent on Halton local, $41,000 spent on Ontario local
in 2014
• 29% of Halton fruit and veg farms offering produce for
purchase
• 25% of Halton fruit and veg farms donating surplus product
• 16,518 clients directly benefiting from Feeding Halton
• 110 volunteers participating in harvesting, processing and
community market opportunities
Coming Soon:
Local Food Marketplace - Food Hub Software
• Creates efficiencies with ordering and listing of produce
• Can set up delivery schedules
• Will allow for admin fees and separate pricing for not for profits vs
restaurants etc.
• www.localfoodmarketplace.com/feedinghalton/.
Why consult with an Agrologist?
• Connections
• Trust and Ethics
• Competency
• Understanding of the complexities of the food system
• Credentials and Professionalism
• Mix of theoretical and practical
• Recognizable in the agricultural community
• Multi- Disciplinary
Taking Steps to Sustainability in the
Regional Food System
• Food Security is impacted by many social,
environmental and economical factors in
the regional food system.
• Food banks and social service
organizations would like to be so
successful that they put themselves out of
business.
• Linkages between food growers and food
consumers will create a dialogue that is
very much needed in order to ensure the
viability of both farms in Halton and also
the food security of the residents.
Taking Steps to Sustainability in the
Regional Food System
• A hub or centralized access point helps with
environmental pressures by amalgamating
deliveries and routes, therefore reducing the
number of farm delivery trucks driving all over
the region.
• Providing locally grown produce rather than
simply buying from the terminal allows for
reduced food miles.
• Sustainability conversations often lead to organic
vs conventional debates. We do not purchase
based on production practice but rather pricing,
variety, quality and availability.
Taking Steps to Sustainability in the
Regional Food System
• Farmers need a diverse market and value the
connections that a hub can bring.
• The Hub provides opportunity for receiving
value for # 1 grade produce as well as imperfect
produce (such as red peppers with a bit of
green).
• Food safety legislation will likely affect Feeding
Halton’s ability to continue with programs.
Taking Steps to Sustainability in the
Regional Food System
• Grants continue to demand new and innovative
initiatives.
• Some programs require multi- year funding for a core
issue in society – such as food insecurity.
• Fundraising verses Social Innovation – both may work
• Cloud Funding
• Software Hub system may provide a key to creating a
sustainable hub
The Journey Continues..
• Secure Funding
• Online hub software launched
• Expansion of the Community Markets
• Local food access point in the north end
of Halton
• Business Model and Strategic Planning
Thank you!
Feeding Halton
Meaghan Richardson, P.Ag
Agri-Market and Food Procurement Coordinator
[email protected]
(905) 691-7299
www.facebook.com/FeedingHalton
Twitter: @ Feeding Halton