City of Vancouver Food Strategy

Topic(s): Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Land Access, Nutrition and Public Health, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management

Sub-topic(s): local procurement, food distribution, edible landscaping, composting, urban chickens, mobile/street food vending, beekeeping/apiculture, urban farm, pilot project, pollinators, grocery stores, farm retail/farm gate sales, community kitchen, community food system education, commercial development, livestock, farmers' markets, residential development, urban gardens/orchard

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Food Strategy | Year: 2013

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

urban agriculture;

land access;

 urban gardens/orchard; Explore opportunities to improve security of tenure for community gardens and community orchards on city property.  1.1  
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchard;  Improve accessibility and clarity of application processes for creating or participating in community gardens and community orchards,  particularly for under-represented ethno-cultural communities.  1.2  

urban agriculture;

education;

urban gardens/orchard;

community food system education;

 Encourage community garden models which promote community  development opportunities with local schools, Neighbourhood Houses, and other local organizations as part of their education programming.  1.3 *
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchards; Enhance funding partnerships to support the creation, operation, improvement and capacity building opportunities for community gardens and community orchards. 1.5  
urban agriculture; urban gardens/orchard; Work with the Association of Community Garden Coordinators to implement strategies that will reduce community garden waiting lists  and to improve access for ethno-cultural communities.  1.8  
urban agriculture;

urban farm;

farm retail/farm gate sales;

 Explore possibilities for urban farmers to sell produce directly from an urban farm (farm gate sales) with appropriate limitations and  mitigation strategies. 1.11  

urban agriculture;

food processing, storage and distribution;

food distribution;

urban farm;

farmers' markets;

 Enable alternative food retail and distribution models for urban farming produce such as community food markets, food distribution hubs and pre-approved Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution sites in locations such as community centres, neighbourhood houses and schools.  1.12 *
 

edible landscaping;

commercial development;

institutional development;

residential development;

 Promote edible landscaping as an alternative to ornamental or flowering plants in residential, commercial, institutional and parks landscaping plans.  1.18  
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;

edible landscaping;

 Increase the planting of food-bearing trees when planting new trees in parks and on other civic lands, and encourage community stewardship of those trees. 1.19 *

food production;

education;

urban agriculture;

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

community food system education;

livestock; 

 Support public education programs on pollinator bees, honeybees and beekeeping in response to community demand and interest. 1.22 *

food production;

education;

urban agriculture;

urban chickens;

community food system education;

livestock; 

 Support public education programs on backyard hens in response to community demand and interest. 1.25 *
food processing, storage and distribution; food distribution; Support businesses and social enterprises involved in processing and distribution of healthy, local and sustainable food within Vancouver and connect to local agricultural producers in the region. 2.4 *
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Explore opportunities to increase the percentage of local and sustainable food purchased by City and  school facilities as a way to support local farmers and producers.  2.6  
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Explore opportunities to increase the percentage of local and sustainable food purchased by Park facilities including community centres and concessions in parks and beaches.  2.7  
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Examine opportunities for aggregation of local and sustainable food purchasing among neighbourhood houses, smaller community centres  and childcare centres. 2.8  
food sales, access and procurement;

community kitchen;

residential development;

 Encourage installation of community kitchens or retrofit existing kitchens in new developments, social housing  sites or City facilities.  2.9 *
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Explore opportunities to support farmers markets on Park Board sites with electricity and water where appropriate.  3.5  
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Establish community food markets as a permitted use and streamline application process.  3.9 *

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

 farmers' markets; Encourage integration of community food markets into Vancouver School Board programming as part of healthy food options for youth and families.  3.10 *
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Incorporate community food markets into community centre programming. 3.11 *

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

mobile/street food vending; 

pilot project;

grocery stores;

 Test pilot programs that improve access to healthy food in neighbourhoods (e.g. healthy corner stores, pop-up grocery stores or mobile green grocers). 3.14 *
food sales, access and procurement; mobile/street food vending; Explore options to enable street food vending on private property.   3.16  
food sales, access and procurement;

local procurement;

mobile/street food vending;

 Encourage street food vendors to source local and sustainable ingredients in their menus, and require vendors to use reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging.  3.18 *

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

 mobile/street food vending; Encourage street food vending as an economic development opportunity for low-income groups 3.19 *
waste management;   Develop strategies to reduce food packaging in City facilities. 4.2 *
waste management; composting; Ensure that food composting is available in City facilities, and that dishes and food packaging are reusable, recyclable or compostable.  4.3 *
waste management; composting; Support community composting model. 4.6  

 

Supplementary Information

 

Municipal Planner Interview with the City of Vancouver Re: City of Vancouver's Food Strategy

After over a decade of food policy and planning initiatives, the City of Vancouver developed a Food Strategy to establish a coordinated approach to food systems planning.

Policy Development

In 2003, Council approved a motion to develop a “just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver”. The motion spurred the formation of Vancouver’s Food Policy Council (a citizen advisory group on food policy issues) as well as the creation of two planning positions to focus on food systems. Subsequently, a number of food-related policy and programs took root between 2003 and 2013. Some of these include the development of urban chicken keeping and beekeeping guidelines, grants to support neighbourhood food networks, street food program expansion, a kitchen scrap collection program, Vancouver’s Food Charter, and the Greenest City Action Plan. The latter two policies, which called for a coordinated strategy to focus the City’s efforts surrounding food systems, ultimately paved the way for the creation of the Food Strategy.

Consultation

Both internal and public engagement were priorities during the development of the Food Strategy.

These included broad engagement efforts with the general public as well as targeted engagement with specific community groups such as urban farmers, community organizations, cultural groups and youth.

Internally, the planning department reached out to many city managerial divisions, including Real-Estate, Parks, Finance, Sustainability, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and others to increase bureaucratic capacity for the project and foster cross-departmental cooperation.

Policy Adoption

The magnitude and range of ideas that were proposed by the draft plan complicated the adoption process, necessitating numerous iterations and a strategic evaluation of the contents against the local government’s capacity and jurisdiction. Applying such a pragmatic approach to refining the document was deemed necessary for the Food Strategy to be useful and achievable.

Policy Implementation

Vancouver’s dedicated staff planning positions have been key to implementing the Food Strategy since its adoption in 2013. It was reported that an ongoing challenge in implementing the Strategy has been adapting and accounting for emerging topics in food systems planning. Examples of these emerging themes include school food programs, indigenous food systems and the relationship between food security and income security.

Policy Outcomes and Recommendations

The Food Strategy has resulted in the creation and implementation of a multitude of policies and projects that are helping Vancouver move toward a just and sustainable food system. Some of these outcomes include:

Given the descriptive nature of the Food Strategy goals, it was reported that monitoring impact is an ongoing challenge. The Food Strategy provides directives, but not measurable goals, and therefore presents a challenge in evaluating progress. While annual reviews are conducted, it was reported that further monitoring could be beneficial.

 

References

City of Vancouver, Department of Social Policy, personal communication, November 2016.

 

City of Vancouver Farmers' Market Guidelines

Topic(s): Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topic(s): farmers' markets

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Guideline | Year: 2013

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The purpose of the guidelines is to assist farmers’ market applicants and City staff in evaluating applications for farmers’ markets by:


(a) Assessing suitability and feasibility of farmers’ markets on select zoned lands, streets, and Park sites;
(b) Ensuring that farmers’ markets meet policy and regulations listed below; and
(c) Ensuring that each location is compatible with adjacent uses to support neighbourliness: mitigation of noise, parking, traffic, pedestrian interface, size, privacy, and visual impacts on existing, neighbourhood uses. 

Village of Cumberland Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 990

Topic(s): First Nations and Indigenous Food Systems, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): zoning, edible landscaping, urban chickens, protection of farming development permit area, pilot project, ALR, climate change and greenhouse gases, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, farmers' markets

Region: Comox Valley | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2014

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

 partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

Participate in regional initiatives such as the IH Food Security HUB endorsed by Let Us Share the Harvest (LUSH) organization, to develop a more sustainable food system, including food production, processing, transportation, and waste diversion.

 6.3.3 (1) *
first nations and indigenous food systems; hunting, fishing and gathering Support opportunities for First Nation partnerships in local food production and ecotourism through wildcrafting and traditional gathering knowledge. 6.3.3 (3) *
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Support the use of public spaces for farmers markets and community food events. 6.3.3 (4) *
wildlife/environmental/pest managmeent; climate change and greenhouse gases Explore opportunities in the agricultural sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy by using targets, policies, and actions. 6.3.3 (6)  

food production;

urban agriculture;

edible landscaping;

pilot project;

 Seek opportunities to pilot urban food production and edible landscapes in greenways.

6.3.3 (7)

 

  

food production;

urban agriculture;

pilot project;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

 Consider new and innovative approaches to urban food production that increase food security, in partnership with citizens, community groups, and other stakeholders. 6.3.3 (8)  
food production;   Encourage small-scale, neighbourhood-level food production within the community. 6.3.3 (9)  
development and productive use of agricultural land;   Protect agricultural areas from the incursion of non-food industries such as federally licensed medical marijuana production facilities. 6.3.3 (10) *
urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning;

protection of farming development permit area ;

ALR ;

buffer at agricultural edge;

 See document for Protection of Farming Development Permit Area 

10.3

 *

 

City of Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 8000

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topic(s): agri-tourism, ALR, ALR subdivision, farm home plate, farm retail/farm gate sales, farm worker accommodation, farmers' markets, food processing, greenhouses, home occupation/home based businesses, livestock, residential development, siting and coverage, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

Region: Central Okanagan | Document Type: Zoning Bylaw | Year: consolidated 2019

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

food production;

urban agriculture;

zoning;

greenhouses;

Urban Agriculture

Where food is produced for consumption by residents of the subject parcel only, and is
in association with an existing principal use – single family dwelling,urban agriculture
must comply with the following:
a) greenhouses are permitted to a maximum of 30m2 in total floor area;
b) greenhouses, accessory buildings or structures associated with urban agriculture
shall conform to the applicable zoning requirements for accessory buildings or
structures and the relevant zone. A greenhouse is not included in the calculation
of site coverage for accessory buildings or structures;...

See document for additional regulations related to urban agriculture.

 9.10

food production;

urban agriculture;

zoning;

urban gardens and orchards;

Multi-residential Shared Garden

A Multi-residential shared garden must be solely for the use of the residents on
the parcel. Multi-residential shared gardens shall:
(a) be screened from adjacent streets and/or parking area by landscaping;
(b) be integrated into the overall landscape design;
(c) be located on a parcel where exposure to sunlight is optimal;...

See document for additional regulations related to multi-residential shared gardens.

 9.11

food production;

urban agriculture;

zoning;

urban gardens and orchards;

Community Gardens

In order to be permitted on a parcel a Community Garden shall:
(a) conform to the applicable zoning requirements for accessory buildings or
structures, or greenhouse when accommodating these structures in
conjunction with a community garden;
(b) be delineated from adjacent streets and/or parking areas by landscaping;
(c) have no or materials related to the community garden stored outside on the
parcel;...

See document for additional regulations related to community gardens.

 9.12
development and productive use of agricultural land;

zoning;

farm worker accommodation;

 See document for additional regulations related to temporary farm workers accommodations. 9.13
development and productive use of agricultural land;

ALR subdivision;

ALR;

Subdivision Regulations

(a) The minimum lot width is 40.0 m.
(b) The minimum lot area is 4.0 ha

 11.1.5
development and productive use of agricultural land;

siting and coverage;

ALR;

See document for siting and coverage regulations for buildings and structures in Agricultural Zones.

 11.1.6
development and productive use of agricultural land

farm home plate;

residential development;

 For lots 0.4 ha and greater, a residential footprint must be registered on title for any residential development triggered by a Farm Protection Develoment Permit.The
maximum residential footprint is 2,000 m2. A second residential footprint up to 1,000 m2 may be registered for a mobile home for immediate family where permitted.		 11.1.6 (c)
food processing, storage & distribution;

food processing;

siting and coverage

 Not withstanding subsections 11.1.6(a), confined livestock areas and/or buildings housing more than 4 animals, or used for the processing of animal products, shall not be located any closer than 30.0 m from the lot line where the lot line borders a residential zone. 11.1.6 (f)
food processing, storage and distribution;

home occupation/home based businesses;

food processing;

livestock;

ALR;

 

When a home based business, rural involves the cutting and wrapping of wild game
or any meat, the lot must have a minimum lot area greater than 0.33 ha.

 11.1.7 (a)
food sales, access and procurement;

farn retail/gate sales;

ALR;

 Agricultural and garden stands selling only produce grown on the site or another site operated by the same producer do not have a maximum area. The maximum gross floor area of stands selling produce that is produced off-site shall be 50.0 m². For sites within the Agricultural Land Reserve, the maximum gross floor area of agricultural and garden sales for produce produced off-site or off-farm products shall be the lesser of one-third of the total floor area of the agricultural and garden sales stand or 100.0 m². 11.1.7 (c)
economic development;

agri-tourism;

ALR;

residential development;

(j) Bed and breakfast homes or group homes, minor in combination with a secondary suite shall not be located on parcels less than 2.0 ha in size. 

 11.1.7 (j)
economic development;

agri-tourism;

ALR;

residential development;

The following uses are specifically prohibited in the A1 – Agriculture Zone, in accordance with the requirements of the ALC Regulations to prohibit explicitly: (a) agri-tourist accommodation, as defined by the ALC Regulation....

 11.1.10.
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;

residential development;

 Urban agriculture permitted in all urban residential zones. section 13
food sales, access & procurement;

farmers' markets;

 Purpose
The purpose is to provide for an agribusiness and agritourism zone that meets local and tourist demand for agricultural products, services and experiences. Due to the seasonal nature of agriculture, this zone also provides for a flexible range of secondary uses which serve local residents on a year round basis.		 Section 18, Schedule B, CD23

 

City of Kelowna Official Community Plan 2030 Bylaw No. 10501

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): 'benefit to agriculture' language, agri-tourism, agricultural industry services, ALR, ALR exclusion, ALR subdivision, buffer at agricultural edge, covenants, edible landscaping, farm home plate, farm traffic, farm worker accommodation, farmers' markets, protection of farming development permit area, residential development, roads in agricultural land, urban containment/growth boundary, urban gardens/orchard, wildlife and ecosystem management, zoning

Region: Central Okanagan | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2013

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
development and productive use of agricultural land;

agricultural industry services;

zoning;

ALR exclusion;

ALR;

farmers' markets;

 Agri-business Land use Designation: Rural land preserved for agriculture and agriculture-related businesses that support local farming and farmers... Agriculture related commercial uses (retail and office) necessary to support a farmers’ market and public market may be considered within this designation. Limited residential uses may be supported within this designation and include a single caretaker’s unit and accessory live/work accommodation which support the agriculture-related business function. Despite the potential for “non-farm use” activities, lands within this designation will not be supported for exclusion from the ALR and only non-farm uses approved by the Agricultural Land Commission will be permitted. An example of appropriate zoning within this designation is Comprehensive Development (CD) zone CD2. 4.2 *

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

 urban containment /growth boundary; Lands within the permanent growth boundary may be considered for urbanuses within the 20 year planning horizon ending 2030. Lands designated as Future Urban Reserve within the permanent growth boundary may be considered for urban uses beyond 2030. Lands outside the permanent growth boundary will not be supported for urban uses. Non-ALR land outside the Permanent Growth Boundary will not be supported for any further parcelization. 4.7 *

urban-agriculture conflict/edge planning;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

 wildlife and ecosystem management; Integrate land use approaches wherever possible to improve opportunities for biodiversity, ecosystem connectivity, recreation, agriculture and local food production, while reducing conflicts. 5.2.5 *

food sales, access and procurement;

development and productive use ofagricultural land;

farmers' markets;

ALR;

 Support the development of farmer’s markets on non-ALR sites. ALR sites located near the urban – rural edge, in accessible, central locations may be considered if a non-ALR alternative cannot be secured. 5.13.1 *
urban agriculture; edible landscaping; Encourage the use of building setback, backyards and landscaped areas, for growing edible plants. 5.13.2 *
urban agriculture; urban gardens/ orchard; Encourage private and non-profit sector universally-accessible community gardening. Where appropriate, consider the use of city-owned land for use as community gardens. 5.13.3  
urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard ;

residential development;

 Encourage new development to include contiguous space intended for garden space for residents. 5.13.4  
development and productive use ofagricultural land; ALR; Retain the agricultural land base by supporting the ALR and by protecting agricultural lands from development, except as otherwise noted in the City of Kelowna Agricultural Plan. Ensure that the primary use of agricultural land is agriculture, regardless of parcel size. 5.33.1 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land; ALR exclusion;ALR; The City of Kelowna will not support ALR exclusion applications to the ALC except in extraordinary circumstances where such exclusions are otherwise consistent with the goals, objectives and other policies of this OCP. Soil capability alone should not be used as justification for exclusion. 5.33.2 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land; urban containment/growth boundary; Direct urban uses to lands within the urban portion of the Permanent Growth Boundary, in the interest of reducing development and speculative pressure on agricultural lands. 5.33.3 *

urban-agriculture conflict/edge planning;

urban agriculture;

 buffer at agricultural edge; Consider complementary agricultural land uses such as urban agriculture (as defined in the Zoning Bylaw) along the urban-rural interface that act as a transition between existing urban development and farming operations. 5.33.4 *

economic development;

development and productive use ofagricultural land;

farm gate/farm retail sales;

ALR;

agri-tourism;

 Support agritourism uses that can be proven to be in aid of and directly associated with established farm operations. Permit wineries, cideries and farm retail sales (inside and outside the ALR) only where consistent with existing ALC policies and regulations. 5.33.5 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

ALR;

'benefit to agriculture' language;

  Support non-farm use applications on agricultural lands only where approved by the ALC and where the proposed uses:• are consistent with the Zoning Bylaw and OCP;• provide significant benefits to local agriculture;• can be accommodated using existing municipal infrastructure;• minimize impacts on productive agricultural lands;• will not preclude future use of the lands for agriculture;• will not harm adjacent farm operations. 5.33.6 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

ALR subdivision;

ALR;

'net benefit to agriculture' language;

 Maximize potential for the use of farmland by not allowing the subdivision of agricultural land into smaller parcels (with the exception of Homesite Severances approved by the ALC) except where significant positive benefits to agriculture can be demonstrated. 5.33.7 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

ALR;

residential development;

 Discourage residential development (both expansions and new developments) in areas isolated within agricultural environments (both ALR and non-ALR). 5.33.8 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

ALR;

residential development;

  Encourage secondary suites on agricultural land to be located within a permitted principal dwelling. 5.34.1 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

farm worker accommodation;

residential development;

ALR;

 Accommodation for farm help on the same agricultural parcel will be considered only where: agriculture is the principal use on the parcel, and the applicant demonstrates that the additional housing is necessary to accommodate farm employee(s) whose residence on the farm property is considered critical to the overall operation of the farm. The primary consideration is whether the scale of the farm operation is large enough that permanent help is deemed necessary. Temporary farm worker housing (e.g. bunkhouse accommodation on non-permanent foundations) is the preferred solution where the need for farm worker housing is justified. 5.34.2 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

farm home plate;

ALR;

residential development;

 Locate buildings and structures, including farm help housing and farm retail sales area and structures, on agricultural parcels in close proximity to one another and where appropriate, near the existing road frontage. The goal should be to maximize use of existing infrastructure and reduce impacts on productive agricultural lands. 5.34.3 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

ALR;

institutional development; 

 Discourage the use of agricultural lands for public or institutional uses such as schools, parks and churches except as identified in the OCP. 5.34.4 *
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Maintain and improve biodiversity through the establishment of corridors (connectivity) and where appropriate, through the integration of wild species within agricultural landscapes. 5.35.1 *
wildlife/environmental/pest management;

covenants;

wildlife and ecosystem management;

 Promote the use of conservation covenants on agricultural land. Conservation covenants will:• balance both agricultural and environmental values and recognize the complex relationships between some agricultural use and areas of environmental interest;• protect environmental values identified through current statutory provisions (e.g. Species at Risk) and values identified through current federal, provincial and local inventory programs;• place only reasonable restrictions on agriculture in order to protect important environmental values;• allow for specified farm activities in locations that will not unduly impact or diminish the identified environmental values; and• focus on those areas specifically identified as containing important environmental values, and should not unduly restrict agriculture elsewhere on the property. 5.35.2 *
development and productive use ofagricultural land;

farm traffic;

roads in agricultural land;

 Minimize the impact of penetration of road and utility corridors through agricultural lands, utilizing only those lands necessary and to the maximum capacity prior to seeking new corridors. Provision should be made for farm traffic to cross major roads. 7.5.1 *

urban-agriculture conflict/edge planning;

urban agriculture;

protection of farming development permit area;

ALR;

buffer at agricultural edge;

 See document for farm protection development permit guidelines. chapter 15 *

 

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