Food Basket Update

Here is an update on the Food Action that happened on September 20. It was a great success! Thanks to everyone who signed up for a basket and came to pick it up. There were about 290 of us there, showing our support for the local farmers, and learning more about our place in the food system.
Well that was just the beginning...

The Background
As many of you know, a local food system is very important for the sustainability of a city, and we need your help to ensure that our city has a sustainable food supply. As it stands, we currently import about 80% of our food. With the rising cost of fuel, climate change, health concerns and economic unstability across the border - it makes sense to start focusing on a local food strategy.

There are 12,000 acres of prime farmland just northeast of Edmonton. Food for almost half of the population of Edmonton could be provided, with that much land. This land has class 1 soil and a micro-climate that provides a longer growing season. Kuhlmans, Vissers and many other families who vend at the farmers markets have had gardens in the area for decades.

The Issue
This land was annexed by the city 20 years ago, and now it is under threat of development.
In Mid-November our city council will make a decision whether to rezone the land from agricultural to industrial, which will allow upgraders and other industrial development to proceed.

By supporting the work of The Greater Edmonton Alliance, E-SAGE hopes to try and convince council to give permanent agricultural status to this land, & prevent it from being developed in to a "Nisku North" or additional housing.

The Action
If you are at all concerned about a sustainable, local food supply for you and your family, we ask you to give some of your time to help with this initiative. This is an opportunity for you to make a difference by just showing up.

Wednesday, November 12 @ 6:45pm - council hearings on this issue. We will need people to attend the city council hearings and fill council chambers when this issue is going to be discussed. We will be meeting on the big stairs at city hall - downtown Edmonton.

If you care about the long term future of food production & food security in Edmonton, this land is a critical piece. This is an issue that will impact our region & local food production for the rest of our lives. It may well be the most important decision this city council faces.

If we can get the right people involved and act in an organized, strategic manner, we feel this land is something we can protect for future agricultural purposes.

I know many of you are the right people to be involved in this. If you are interested in participating in these hearings, please reply to this message, and we will give you further information about the meeting times and places.
Thanks for your support,

Want more information about what others have to say about sustainable food supplies? Here's an article from the NY Times you might find interesting. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?_r=2&ref=magazine&oref=slogin&oref=slogin