• The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) is a project of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) and NORDIK Institute that’s vision is a thriving farm community in Algoma:– Builds capacity of agri-food businesses locally– Undertake research that is tailored to needs of

local producers– Builds relationships through collaboration

• Allard St. Community Garden (2003)• Johnson Farmers’ Market Desbarats (2007)• Penokean Hills Farms (2007)• Buy Algoma. Buy Fresh. Producers Directory (2009)• Rural Agri-Innovation Network (2013)• Local Food Act (2013)• Urban Beekeeping Initiative (2014)• Mill Market (2014)

Why develop a regional food system?

–Respond to food system issues

–Increase local food production, sales and consumption

–Take collaborative action through partnerships

Developing a regional food system

• Sustainable New Agri-Food Products (SNAP) Program Micro-grant program for agri-food businesses

• Algoma Infrastructure Development - Tile drainage improvements and land clearing on Algoma farms

• Market development and consumer research for local food – Buy Algoma Buy Fresh, Eat Algoma

• Researching new crops and best practices for Algoma Farms

• Training workshops – high tunnels, tree fruit, co-ops, social media, pollinators (Feb 2015).

Objectives

Objectives• Build connections across the food system• Share information about food initiatives

and issues• Begin developing a SSM & Area Food

Strategy to create a sustainable, regional food system that is accessible

Building a Healthy Regional Food System for the Sault & Area

• Michelle WalkUP Food Exchange

• Kendal DonahueThunder Bay Food Strategy

• Joan BradyOntario Healthy Communities Coalition

• Laura WyperFallen Fruit Program

• Suzanne HannaAllard St. Community Gardens

• Frank BelleauForest & Freshwater Foods

• Laura WyperFallen Fruit Program

• Jen SpringettCloverbelt Local Food Co-op

• Fannie McFaddenMcFadden’s Acres

• Zulfiya TursunovaAlgoma University

• Todd TremblayThe Gnarly Bistro

• Jason ZacharySuperior Heights Collegiate

1. How can we support/foster the creation of a regional food system that is accessible for all?

2. What are the skills/education necessary to build the capacity of individuals & families to create a sustainable food system?

3. How can we scale-up food production, and create the environment for institutions, retailers and restaurants to procure local food?

4. How can we better connect the value chain of production, processing and distribution to the market?

Critical Questions

Sault & AreaFood Strategy:

Goals & Actions

Vision: A sustainable, regional food system that is accessible to all

Food security & access

Food procurement

Food education

Food production and infrastructure

Practices that foster

empowerment.Policies that

facilitate access.Evaluating food

security.Improving access

to land, water.

Facilities that support local

food.Growing food enterprises.

Land use policy and economic development.

Food literacy in curriculum.

Increase amount of healthy food

served in schools.

Teaching food skills.

Increase amount purchased by

public / private.Grow capacity to supply public / private sector.

Sault & AreaFood Policy Committee

Food security &

access

Food procurement

Food education

Food production

and infrastructure

Sault & AreaFood Strategy

Vision: A sustainable, regional food system that is accessible to all

Sault & AreaFood Strategy

Develop Recommendations

and Actions

Inventory / GatherInformation

Food Summit / Consultation

Advocate for change

Resolutions of support

Implementation

Proposed next steps• Winter 2014/15:

– RAIN will provide a summary; surveys will be developed to determine priorities

– Call out for volunteers; assess interest in strategy• Spring/Summer 2015:

– Meeting of the first Food Policy Committee– Funding applications for strategy development – Planning for additional consultations– Information gathering for recommendations

• Fall/Winter 2015– Committee reports back at a follow up Food Summit