September 27, 2011 – The PEI Food Security Network (FSN) surveyed all political parties running in the October 3 provincial election. Only the Liberal Party of PEI did not respond. The survey was mailed to the party presidents and leaders on August 31, 2011. It was designed to test the level of support for a national food policy. The results will serve as an indication of parties’ willingness to develop an effective provincial food policy.
The parties were asked to indicate their level of agreement and/or their need for more information on five selected building blocks for a food policy:
- Localize the system so that food is eaten as close as possible to where it is produced, and so that food dollars support the local economy
- Support a widespread shift to ecological production and distribution of food
- Insure adequate payment to farmers and fishers
- Develop programs to help new farmers and fishers get started
- Enact poverty elimination and prevention programs to ensure that all Canadians can afford healthy food
- Ensure that the public is actively involved in decisions that affect the food system
The New Democratic Party, the Green Party, and the Island Party expressed total agreement with the five policy principles. The Progressive Conservative Party indicated total agreement and a need for more information regarding localizing the food system and widespread shift to ecological production and distribution.
The PEI Food Security Network will provide politicians with opportunities to become more committed to concerns about food security and food sovereignty. There is widespread interest in this here in Prince Edward Island and around the world. Policy makers are lagging behind the community’s increased awareness of the need to change the food system. Many new movements are rising up to promote eating local, healthy food. There is a new concern about how food is grown and about the best ways of ensuring the livelihood of farmers, fishers, and food workers.
Pingback: Liberal Party Supports a National Food Policy | PEI Food Security Network
Organic foods remain an area of growth even with the rising cost of grocery items and tougher economic times. Turns out organic cooking is really not that complicated once you know a few basics. In fact, it’s way easier and healthier.