Rethinking the future of food through a lens of climate action
What did we learn from the First Canadian Summit on Climate Action in Food Systems?
In recent years, the role that conventional agriculture has played in contributing to climate change has been widely discussed. We are also increasingly aware of the role that more local, sustainable, regenerative farming practices can play in helping to mitigate, and even reduce climate change going forward.
From October 20–22nd, we had a great opportunity to reflect on reimagining the role of agriculture for the future of our communities and our planet during the First Canadian Summit on Climate Action in Food Systems hosted by Sustainable Grain in Kelowna, BC. Topics covered included regenerative agricultural practices and principles, regional planning and programs, policy frameworks, ecosystem services, new financial and financing models for investment in local food systems, rethinking how economic markets generate returns, local infrastructure and distribution systems, and farm to table initiatives.
Sustainable Grain is an organization whose focus is to offer education, networks and analysis of emerging trends in regenerative farming. The purpose of this summit was to support innovative solutions by bringing together farmers, food companies, researchers, agronomists, local government, carbon sequestration and market development experts, to discuss the future of food in the context of climate change and needed climate action.
What are the stakes for Récolte?
As an organisation concerned with the future of our food, we know we cannot overlook the challenges we face in creating local, sustainable and viable agricultural practices in the face of climate change. We also see this as a key moment in time to promote new, regenerative models for not just agriculture, but also local infrastructure, investment, policy and regulation that support needed changes to the structure and resilience of our food systems.
A number of organisations, as well as local government initiatives, have been of inspiration to us and we were happy to be able to learn from their work, as well as to engage in conversations around potential collaborations moving forward.
Regeneration Canada: https://regenerationcanada.org/fr/
A Québec-based organisation focused on network building, education and advocacy. Regeneration Canada envisions “A global ecosystem of healthy, thriving communities in which regenerative land management cools the planet, feeds the world, and promotes public health, prosperity, and peace.” We had the pleasure of hearing from, and speaking with Ananda Fitzsimmons, President of the board and long time expert, entrepreneur and leader of soil regeneration techniques and technology in support of regenerative agricultural practices.
Farm Folk, City Folk: https://www.farmfolkcityfolk.ca/
This organisation has been a long-time inspiration for Récolte. Providing everything from resources for farmers, a community resource hub, events that promote farm to table relationships, a local food micro loan fund in partnership with the Island Chefs Collaborative, and much more. We were very lucky to be able to set up a post conference breakfast meeting with Anita Georgy, Executive Director. We look forward to continuing the conversation, share learning, provide support to each other’s work.
The Savory Institute: https://www.savory.global/
Presenting the potential for large scale regenerative agriculture through holistic management practices. “Holistic Management restores grasslands. Healthy grasslands lead to carbon sequestration, drought resilience, food security, and financially viable communities. At Savory, we believe the solution to these pressing world issues is that management of our land, livestock, and people must be holistic.”
Kiss the Ground: www.kisstheground.com
Looking to become a soil advocate? Kiss the ground has the tools and learning opportunities to get you there. Many of the presenters had, themselves, passed through the soil advocacy training course. “Kiss the Ground is an education and advocacy nonprofit advancing initiatives across four distinct programs: Advocacy, Farmland, Education, and Media. In addition to our program work, we bring impact projects to life — convening key players in the regenerative agricultural movement and catalyzing collaboration, action, and innovation. Everything we do as an organization is aimed towards achieving our overarching mission: inspiring participation in global regeneration, starting with soil.”
The Inn at Bay Fortune: https://innatbayfortune.com/
We heard from Kevin Petrie, Lead Farmer at the Inn at Bay Fortune to learn all about the trials, tests and success of a farm to table selection for one of Canada’s top chefs, Chef Michael Smith. “Nestled on 46 acres of land overlooking the Fortune River as it flows into Bay Fortune and the Northumberland Strait beyond. During your stay you’ll enjoy exploring our whimsical grounds discovering our fragrant flower gardens, aromatic herb garden, 10 acre organic farm, walking trails, fire pits and flavours everywhere…”
We would also like to give particular attention to the leadership of the Province of BC with their innovative “Grow BC, Feed BC, Buy BC”. Buy BC helps local producers and processors market their products by re-establishing a strong, recognizable Buy BC brand and supporting industry-led Buy BC marketing activities. Feed BC will increase the use of BC grown and processed foods in hospitals, schools, and other government facilities. Grow BC helps young farmers access land, and support fruit and nut growers and processors to expand local food production. This includes a “Climate Action Initiative” program where the province has committed to “ …taking steps to adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in each of the province’s major economic sectors, including agriculture. Find out what agricultural producers can do to adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
This initiative includes supporting the development of 3 regional food hubs in different regions throughout BC. Considering our upcoming “Integrated Food System Project” within the Smart Cities Challenge in Montreal, we are very happy to have made the connection and begin building a knowledge network around supporting the development of regional food hubs in Canada. We are looking forward to sharing more about this project as it unfolds over the next few years — stay tuned with more to come in 2020!
Our position in the Summit
At Récolte, we work with a multi-stakeholder approach that helps us codify the current players are, the key inputs and outcomes that take part in creating or supporting integrated solutions to our current food system challenges.
We shared our story, the tools and resources we use for collaborative solutions making and change, as well as some of the projects where we have applied these approaches and the past, present, and projected future results.
We received great feedback and had many very positive follow up discussions with different actors from regional food policy councils, private food processing and transformation businesses, regional planning entities and more.
We are very happy to share our approach and key learnings, while opening the door to more ongoing exchanges and knowledge sharing with local leaders from across Canada.
“I would like to name all of the speakers and the attendees as instrumental teachers in this movement. Most of all the youth attendees, the indigenous and francophone thought leaders, and the institutions that supported them to attend. The reflection that I would offer as an organiser is how happy I am to have all these diverse voices at the table. Recolte specifically provided knowledge and an established model for proliferation of network commercialization opportunities that are and can continue to serve citizens and food producers in Canada. “
- Brenda Tjaden, Sustainable Grain
It is clear that there is a rapidly growing movement for regenerative, resilient, viable food systems across Canada, and around the world.
Many leading food and agriculture initiatives not only create positive impacts within their communities, but can also harvest key learning and practices through innovative planning, development and evaluation over time. As such, these initiatives can scale and, or be replicated to other regions to increase their impact. This, in turn, increases the opportunities to create interconnected networks of food system change makers working for the future of food.
It is important to highlight that this Summit was a first step in creating a network of diverse food actors focused specifically on climate action in food systems. We are proud to be active in this space and continue our efforts to create connections with Sustainable Grain and many inspiring leaders. We are looking forward to playing a role in the ‘next steps’ of this ongoing movement.
If you’d like more information, videos and presentations about the Summit, check out SustainbleGrain.ca
You may also check the resources from the organisations listed above. Take part in the learning and watch for the next steps feeding the momentum of this regenerative food system movement.
Learn more about our work in sustainable food systems by visiting our website at http://recolte.ca/.
