Food in the City Conference Program

Day 1: Friday, May 25, 2012

3pm  Conference Opening
Jim Hole, Master of Ceremonies
Elizabeth Lafferty, Aboriginal Elder
Edmonton City Councillor Dave Loken  

3:30-4:30pm  How Food Will Make Edmonton a City Most Likely to Succeed
Dr. Wayne Roberts, Canadian Food Policy Analyst and Expert, Writer, Manager of the Toronto Food Policy Council

Hidden in plain sight is a "secret weapon" cities can use to move forward on the economic, environmental, social and public health fronts. It's called food. Dr. Wayne Roberts, one of Canada's leading experts on cities and food policy, will review theories and practical examples showing how cities can work with the "leveraging power" of food to make improvements in almost every area of city life.

4:30-5pm  Exciting Engagement: The Creation of Citizen Panels
Dr. Marco Adria, Professor of Communications and Co-Chair, Centre for Public Involvement, University of Alberta
Fiona Cavanagh, Project Manager, Centre for Public Involvement, University of Alberta
Citizen Panel Representatives 
   
5-7pm  Taste of Alberta: Eat, Meet and Greet Reception (Ticket Required)
Entertainment provided by Harpe Jazz

Day 2: Saturday, May 26, 2012

9am  Opening of Day 2 
Judy Schultz, Master of Ceremonies
Greetings from Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

9:15-10:15am  Food and Agriculture Strategy Update
Robert Barrs, Manager of Community + Regional Planning, HB Lanarc
Janine de la Salle, Planner, Food + Agriculture Systems Specialist, HB Lanarc

Participants will be able to hear about the work done to date on a strategy, including research findings on food and agriculture opportunities for Edmonton, and initial results from the feedback gathered from stakeholder consultations.

10:15-10:45am  Networking and Refreshment Break
   
10:45-11:45am  Concurrent Workshops
Each workshop will consist of a 30 minute presentation followed by a 30 minute discussion period.

A. A Stronger, More Vibrant Local Economy
Bill Reynolds, Manager, Local Food Policy & Planning, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development

Based on a recent environmental scan of local food driven business opportunities, let’s look at and discuss how local food and agriculture could contribute significantly to the creation of community economic development. Result:  Edmontonians have more opportunities to buy, share and enjoy local and regional food.

B. A Healthier, More Food Secure Community
Christine McVea, Program Manager WeCAN Food Basket Society
Carla Meyer, Assistant Program Manager WeCAN Food Basket Society
Tamisan Bencz, Manager of Strategic Relationships and Partnerships, Edmonton’s Food Bank
Mark Doram, Director of Operations, Edmonton’s Food Bank

Since 1995, when a couple of Edmonton social workers identified a need to fill the hungry gap between the end of the paycheque and the end of the month, the WeCAN Food Basket Society has been building community through groceries.  With the generous support of Edmonton volunteers, community agencies, churches, and individual members, the WeCAN Food Basket Society makes possible the purchase of five to seven hundred baskets each month.  There are connections between the resiliency of our communities and the food that sustains them – come explore these connections with us.

The work of Edmonton’s Food Bank is more complex than simply providing food hampers to clients.  In addition to providing hampers, the Food Bank is integral to more than 190 agencies, churches & food depots providing over 300,000 meals and snacks each month.  As a referral centre, Edmonton’s Food Bank works collaboratively with agencies and organizations supporting people experiencing food insecurity.  Join us as we discuss the different programs and resources shared with clients and agencies.

C. Healthier Ecosystems
Don Ruzicka, Owner, Ruzicka Sunrise Farm

Technology and innovation have made great strides in producing more food.  One of the negative results is a reduction in the health of the various ecosystems.  Can this be reversed; and if so, what are the steps that are needed?  Don has been on this journey for the last 19 years and has experienced both sides of this issue.  He will share his story with the hope that it will lead to a greater understanding of what is required to build a sustainable model for raising and growing food for the long haul. 

D. Less Energy, Emissions and Waste
Shafraaz Kaba, Architect, Manasc Isaac

The food and agriculture systems are highly energy efficient and generate little waste. These systems reuse waste heat, agricultural by-products and food wastes to create alternative renewable energy as an advantage for local organizations and businesses. Less solid waste and air pollution are generated during the producing, transporting, distributing, marketing, packaging, eating, and recycling of food.

E. More Vibrant, Attractive, and Unique Places
Barry Johns, Principal, Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd.

As the local urban design partner with Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd., part of the consortium of consultants that won the international competition for the City Centre Redevelopment Project – the Municipal Airport Lands, Barry will present the four big ideas surrounding a new sustainable community for up to 25,000 people, including the development of an urban Agri-hood which will occupy a significant open space, park and amenities to enable the construction of an entire neighbourhood focussed on enabling people to grow their own food – on the ground and on rooftops. The presentation will explore the various concepts that drive this major initiative which is seen as a catalyst for the development of an urban agriculture strategy for Edmonton.

11:45am-1pm  Lunch (Ticket Required)

1-2pm  Concurrent Workshops
Each workshop will consist of a 30 minute presentation followed by a 30 minute discussion period.

A. A Stronger, More Vibrant Local Economy
Emily Huddart Kennedy, Assistant Professor, Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of Alberta
Cathryn Sprague, Student, Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of Alberta

Living an environmentally friendly life can be construed as a series of sacrifices – cold showers, no all-inclusive tropical vacations, and sweating to work on a bicycle to lower your carbon footprint. Sustainable food, by contrast, is extremely pleasurable, and can be social as well. In this session, we discuss the benefits to personal and community well-being that come from engaging in local food (like community gardens, farmers’ markets, and edible lawns). Of course, as academics we couldn’t leave it at that, so we will also discuss some of the challenges associated with going local.

B. A Healthier, More Food Secure Community
Jessica Wegner, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta
Kayla Atkey, Masters Student, Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta

Based on research findings from Waterloo Region, this session examines 'what works' and 'what doesn't' with respect to promoting community access to healthy, local food. A model to guide multi-sectoral dialogue and action will be presented and discussed using relevant examples from Edmonton, Alberta.  Through an open discussion period, you are invited to share your stories, thoughts and opinions on how to achieve a healthier, more food secure Edmonton.

C. Healthier Ecosystems
Dustin Bajer, PermacultureSchool.ca

Food and agriculture systems positively contribute to the overall health and ecosystem services that green spaces provide.  Areas of high biodiversity, environmental sensitivity, and ecological significance are protected. Food and agricultural areas are managed to support wildlife habitat, conserve water use, and are environmentally benign or restorative. 

D. Less Energy, Emissions and Waste
Garry Spotowski, Education Programs Coordinator, Waste Management Services, City of Edmonton

Participants will gain an understanding of how Edmonton's integrated waste management system approaches food waste. They will see how the volume of food and other organic waste in prompted compost education centres and workshops, a Master Composter Volunteer course, construction and operation of North America's largest co-composting facility and much more.

E. More Vibrant, Attractive, and Unique Places
Kathryn Lennon, Volunteer Organizer, Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op

Food and agriculture create and contribute to vibrant, attractive, and unique places for Edmontonians and visitors.  Public and private spaces are designed to use food and agriculture as a way to enhance the local food culture, celebrate food, and animate and enliven shared spaces. Visitors in Edmonton appreciate and experience the local food culture.  Food growing, processing, buying, selling, and eating places are considered at the neighbourhood level.  

2-2:30pm  Networking and Refreshment Break
   
2:30-3:15pm  Harvesting the Energy and Ideas: The Conference Recap
Workshop Moderators

3:15-3:30pm  Conference Closing 
Elizabeth Lafferty, Aboriginal Elder