City of Vancouver Food Charter

Topic(s): Education, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): composting, food recovery/gleaning/donation, livestock, local food culture, soil

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Food Charter | Year: 2007

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;    Be leaders in municipal and regional food-related policies and programs. 
food production;    Support regional farmers and food producers.

waste management;

urban agriculture;

 food recovery/gleaning/donation; Expand urban agriculture and food recovery opportunities.

waste management;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

composting;

soil;

 Promote composting and the preservation of healthy soil.
food production; livestock; Encourage humane treatment of animals raised for food.
wildlife/environmental/pest management;   Support sustainable agriculture and preserve farm land resources.

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

   Improve access to healthy and affordable foods.
nutrition and public health;   Increase the health of all members of our city.
education; local food culture; Talk together and teach each other about food.

 

North Shore Food Charter

Topic(s): Economic Development, Education, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Waste Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): food recovery/gleaning/donation, wildlife and ecosystem management, community food system education, local food culture, partnerships/advocacy/liaising

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

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Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

  

We strive for everyone to have access to food choices that are:

-Safe, whole, fresh, minimally processed
-Of high quality across all North Shore jurisdictions
-Affordable for everyone
-Available with dignity and without barriers in all North Shore jurisdictions

waste management;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

wildlife and ecosystem management;

food recovery/gleaning/donation;

We strive to:

-Support practices that protect or enhance natural ecosystems (land and water) through all stages of the food system.       -
Reclaim, recycle and re-purpose food to the greatest extent possible minimize the harmful environmental impact of food production and consumption (including transportation, packaging, processing etc.) whenever possible.
policy partnerships, advocacy and development; partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

We strive to:

-Inform the public about food security issues and support initiatives being pursued in other jurisdictions
-Advocate around food system issues regionally, provincially and nationally
-Consider and promote food security in the development of regulations and policies
economic development;;  

We strive to:

-Strengthen the local food sector’s growth and development
-Attract and promote innovative and viable food-centered enterprises
-Create jobs in our community by encouraging local food enterprise.

education;

nutrition and public health;

local food culture;

community food system education;

We strive to:

-Promote the connection between food and mental, physical and spiritual health
-Celebrate and support food cultures
-Support information sharing, education and training for children and adults that builds awareness, skills and capacity for food literacy

 

City of Campbell River Agriculture Now

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Food Self Reliance, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): aquaculture, BC environmental farm plan, climate change and greenhouse gases, composting, farm diversification, farm incubator, farmer training, farmers' markets, food distribution, greenhouses, irrigation and drainage, local food culture, new entrants to farming, pesticide and pest management, pilot project, research and data collection, urban gardens/orchard, waste to energy

Region: Strathcona | Document Type: Agriculture Area Plan/Strategy | Year: 2011

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
food self reliance;   Targeting 10% food self-sufficiency by 2031. 3.5;
education;

farm incubator;

farmer training;


pilot project;

 Examine feasibility of facilitating establishment of an incubator or pilot farm site to generate interest in farming and capacity building. See document for detailed actions. 4.2.2.2;
 

greenhouses;


waste to energy;

 Consider or review opportunities for greenhouse production. See document for details. 4.2.2.3;
development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban containment/growth boundary;


roads in agricultural land;

  Support the development of agricultural nodes
  •  Designate strategically located lands outside of the Urban Containment Boundary as “Agriculture” on the land use map of the OCP.
  •  Consider opportunities to develop specific road and servicing standards and requirements for Agriculture Development Areas or incubation areas and/ or lands designated as “agriculture” on the land use map in the OCP.
 4.2.2.5;
education;

farm incubator;

farmer training;

 Support establishment of an incubator agricultural area. See document for details. 4.2.2.6;
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Encourage increased participation of agricultural product vendors at the Farmers’ Market and direct sales points for local foods. See document for details. 4.2.3.2;
food sales, access and procurement; local food culture; Support and promote community celebrations of agriculture and food. See document for details. 4.2.3.6;
economic development; new entrants to farming Recruit farmers from other areas based on local opportunities and strengths. See document for details. 4.2.3.7;

economic development;

food production;

farm diversification;


aquaculture;

 Support product diversification.
  •  Use communication and marketing strategies around food and agriculture in Campbell River to promote a unique identity for specialized crops as appropriate. 
  •  Collaborate with agencies and organizations to coordinate education initiatives in relation to land base opportunities and market feasibility of non-traditional crops such as mushrooms, salal, wild game, hops, bison etc. that may be suitable for ALR lands.
  •  Support where appropriate land-based aquaculture, production of herbaceous fish. 
 4.2.3.8;

economic development;


education;

   Promote Campbell River Agriculture as a media
focus and training and education...		 4.2.3.9;
water management; irrigation and drainage; Assess opportunities and constraints to provision of irrigation water from municipal system. See document for details. 4.2.4.9;

economic development;

education;

composting;

research and data collection;


waste to energy;

 Support the development of cost effective inputs to increase the competitiveness of local agricultural producers. See document for details. 4.2.4.10;

food sales, access and procurement;


food processing, storage and distribution;

farmers' markets;


food distribution;

 Support development of local food distribution facilities to increase the sale of agricultural products through the Farmers’ Market or others. See document for details. 4.2.4.11;
water management; irrigation and drainage; Assist with design of drainage systems.
  •  Identify situations where soil capability and cropping options can be significantly enhanced with drainage and where private infrastructure must be connected to City drainage systems.
  •  Ensure that capital drainage projects account for potential agricultural drainage areas where appropriate to ensure suitable long term pipe capacity.
 4.2.4.12;
wildlife/environmental/pest management;

climate change and greenhouse gases;


BC environmental farm plan;


pesticide and pest management;

 Support environmentally sustainable farm practices. See document for details. 4.2.4.13;
waste management;

waste to energy;


pilot project;


greenhouses;

 Explore the feasibility of connecting greenhouses to waste heat sources such as the co-generation plant to create a unique competitive advantage in Campbell River. See document for details. 4.2.4.14;

education;


urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;

 Support development of urban agriculture and community gardens as “hands on” learning to increase interest in local production. See document for details. 4.2.5.1;

 

City of Kamloops OCP Kamplan 2004

Topic(s): Economic Development, Education, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Food Self Reliance, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management

Sub-topic(s): irrigation and drainage, food distribution, community food system education, food policy council, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, composting, urban gardens/orchard, recreational use of agricultural land, water restrictions and conservation

Region: Thompson-Nicola | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2004

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Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
water management;

recreational use of agricultural land;

irrigation and drainage;

water restrictions and conservation;

 The City will not permit the use of domestic water sources for irrigation purposes. section iii, 8.2; *
urban agriculture; 

food distribution;

urban gardens/orchard;

 Consider the use of City parks, school yards, rights-of-way, surplus properties, and redevelopment parcels at least in part for food production and distribution.  section iv, 5.2.6;  

food self reliance;

urban agriculture; 

urban gardens/orchard;

community kitchen;

 Encourage initiatives aimed at local food self-reliance such as community kitchens and community gardens. section iv, 5.2.7;  

food sales, access and procurement;

education;

 community food system education; Continue to promote agriculture in all schools, with emphasis on food production in the local region and school gardens to train children in growing skills and provide food for school meals. section iv, 5.2.10;  

education;

 community food system education; Continue to provide nutrition and food preparation courses, with emphasis on the importance of a sound diet and environmentally friendly growing, including "Food Safe" as elements of school curricula section iv, 5.2.11; *

economic development;

food sales, access and procurement;

 partnerships/advocacy/liaising; Promote the development of new businesses and the expansion of existing businesses that improve access to locally produced, affordable, and nutritious food. This could be done in partnership with business improvement associations, Community Futures, and Venture Kamloops. section iv, 5.2.17;  
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

food policy council;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;;

 Recognize the Kamloops Food Policy Council as the lead agency in the development of food policies.
 		 section iv, 5.2.19; *
waste management;  composting; The City shall continue to pursue the goal of a 50% reduction in the amount of solid waste going to landfills, in accordance with provincial guidelines and the Regional Waste Management Plan. The City will continue to use a variety of approaches including:...encouraging home composting ... Section VI 6.2 *
         

 

Cowichan Food Charter

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Education, First Nations and Indigenous Food Systems, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Water Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): climate change and greenhouse gases, food distribution, local food culture, local procurement, research and data collection

Region: Cowichan Valley | Document Type: Food Charter | Year: 2009

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Topic Sub-topic Policy or Policy Excerpt
nutrition and public health;   There will be no more chronic hunger, and no more malnourished children;
food sales, access and procurement;   Farmers will be better connected to consumers through farm markets, Community Supported Agriculture, and school and work lunch programs;
wildlife/environmental/pest management;   Farmers’ roles as environmental stewards will be protected and financially supported;

water management;

development and productive use of agricultural land;

   Agricultural resources including water, land, and the knowledge of farmers will be protected;
food processing, storage and distribution; food distribution; Regulations will strengthen the capacity of local farmers to produce and reach their markets;
food sales, access and procurement; local food culture; A “Buy Local” campaign that promotes local food production and consumption will be expanded;

education;

first nations and indigenous food systems;

   Traditional teachings about food preservation, seed saving, eating seasonally, and eating locally will be encouraged and supported;
food sales, access and procurement local procurement; Institutional buyers such as hospitals and universities will have the flexibility and incentive to buy more local products;
 

climate change and greenhouse gases; 

research and data collection;

 Ongoing research will ensure long-term food security in the face of a changing climate;

 

City of Revelstoke Food Charter

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Education, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Food Self Reliance, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Waste Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): composting, soil, community food system education, local food culture, wildlife and ecosystem management, hunting/fishing/gathering, livestock

Region: Columbia-Shuswap | Document Type: Food Charter | Year: 2014

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Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt
policy partnerships, advocacy and development process;   Consider potential impacts on food security in all government, business and personal decisions.

food sales, access and procurement;


nutrition and public health;

   Improve access to healthy and affordable foods.
food self reliance;   Facilitate household and community-based food production and preservation for self-reliance;

waste management;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

composting;
soil;

wildlife and ecosystem management;

 Promote composting and the preservation of healthy soil.
  hunting/fishing/gathering; Encourage responsible and sustainable harvesting of wild foods.
development and productive use ofagricultural land;   Help to preserve regional farmlands and increase use of arable land for sustainable food production.

food production;

   Support local and regional farmers and food producers.

food production;

 livestock; Encourage humane treatment of animals raised for food.
nutrition and public health;   Promote food safety.
education; community food system education; Identify educational opportunities that promote food knowledge.
  local food culture; Celebrate the diversity of our food cultures.
wildlife/environmental/pest management wildlife and ecosystem management; Manage food production in ways that reduce conflict with wildlife.

 

Salt Spring Island Area Farm Plan

Topic(s): Education, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): community food system education, local procurement, seeds, GE/GMO, crops, wildlife and ecosystem management, partnerships/advocacy/liaising

Region: Islands Trust | Document Type: Agriculture Area Plan/Strategy | Year: 2008

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Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
education; community food system education; Increase agricultural awareness of new and potential residents. Recommendation 8;
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Encourage the implementation of beneficial farm management practices. Recommendation 11;
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Explore potential programs that support environmental services on farms. Recommendation 12;
education; community food system education; Improve local agricultural literacy through the provision of agriculture focused public education activities and events. Recommendation 13;
education; community food system education; Increase agricultural education opportunities for children and youth. Recommendation 14;
education;   Increase local agricultural training and mentoring opportunities. Recommendation 16;
food sales, access and procurement;   Develop a coordinated approach to production and sale of locally
grown products.		 Recommendation 18;
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Encourage the development of local agricultural product purchasing
policies.		 Recommendation 21;

food production;

seeds;

crops;

 Increase local seed production capability. Recommendation 22;

food production;

GE/GMO;

crops;

 Encourage producers to adopt a genetically engineered (GE) free policy for locally grown agricultural products. Recommendation 23;

nutrition and public health;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

   Establish local food safety protocols and standards that reflect the needs of small producers and processors. Recommendation 24;
policy partnerships, advocacy and development; partnerships/advocacy/liaising Participate in regional, provincial and national agricultural discussions. Recommendation 25

Please see document for detailed actions.

District of North Saanich Food Charter

Topic(s): Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Waste Management, Water Management

Sub-topic(s): community food system education, farmers' markets, local food culture, local procurement, partnerships/advocacy/liaising

Region: Capital | Document Type: Food Charter | Year: n.d.

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Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt

food sales, access and procurement;


nutrition and public health;
 		 The right of all residents to adequate amounts of local safe nutritious food;
water management;   The right of all residents to quality and supply of water for home and agricultural use;
development and productive use ofagricultural land;   The protection of our local agricultural land base;
economic development; local food culture; Support local farmers by encouraging residents to purchase seasonal products and other farm foods;
nutrition and public health;   Promote health strategies which increase the good health of all members of the municipality;
nutrition and public health;   Promote food safety programs and services;
nutrition and public health;   Work with the local School Board to encourage the Healthy Snack program in local schools;
  partnerships/advocacy/liaising; Partner with community, cooperative, business and government organizations to increase the availability of healthy foods;
waste management;   Encourage the recycling of organic materials which nurture soil fertility;
education; community food system education; Promote education programs in all our schools to educate our children in healthy food choices, purchasing, growing and preparation of secure food and what healthy fresh products are available in the District of North Saanich;
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Promote and encourage farmers’ markets on the Saanich Peninsula;

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

local procurement;


partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

 Collaborate with other municipalities in the Capital Regional District to promote health food-purchasing practices which support locally-grown food and food businesses.

 

Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee Land Use Bylaw No. 355

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

Sub-topic(s): agri-tourism, ALR, farm retail/farm gate sales, food processing, home occupation/home based businesses, roads in agricultural land, zoning

Region: Islands Trust | Document Type: Zoning Bylaw | Year: consolidated 2015

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Topic Sub-Topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location
economic development;

agri-tourism;

ALR:

Bed and Breakfast home-based businesses are subject to the following additional conditions:

(1) Not more than 1 bed and breakfast home-based business is permitted on any lot. BL461 (05/13)

(2) Despite Subsection 3.13.1, all bedrooms used to accommodate guests must be located only within a principal dwelling unit or within a seasonal cottage, if one is permitted on the lot.

(3) Not more than 3 bedrooms may be used to accommodate guests on lots that are 1.2 ha or less in area; not more than 4 bedrooms may be used to accommodate guests on lots that are greater than 1.2 ha in area.

(4) Despite Subsection 3.13.2, the total floor area dedicated primarily to the accommodation of guests on any lot, including bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms, closets and common areas, is not to exceed 50 per cent of the total floor area of the single-family dwelling and seasonal cottage on the lot, up to a maximum of 100 square metres. Information Note: Under a General Order of the Land Reserve Commission, bed and breakfast home-based businesses within the ALR are restricted to three bedrooms that must be fully contained within a singlefamily dwelling. The use of further bedrooms will require an application to the Commission and its written approval. Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee 33 July 2015 Land Use Bylaw No. 355 (Consolidated)

(5) Breakfast meals only may be provided to bed and breakfast guests who have been provided with overnight accommodation.

(6) Off-street parking for bed and breakfast home-based business uses must be supplied as outlined in Part 7 and screened from view from abutting lots, highways or parks by a landscape screen.

(7) Despite Section 6.1, signs for bed and breakfast home-based businesses may be indirectly illuminated by a non-flashing light source, external to the sign. Where illumination is provided, it must consist of a maximum 150 watt PAR lamp mounted between 1 and 1.5 meters from each sign face.

 3.13.7-3.13.8
development and productive use of agricultural land;

roads in agricultural land;

ALR;

 Highways are not to be provided in a manner that results in a physical division of land in the Parks and Reserves 6 or Parks and Reserves 7 zones; or in a manner such that a farm operation would be interrupted in the Agriculture 1 or Agriculture 2 zone, or a forestry operation would be interrupted in the Forestry 1 or Forestry 2 zone. 5.15.2

development and productive use of agricultural land;

processing, storage and distribution;

economic development;

food sales, access and procurement;

food processing;

farm retail/gate sales;

agri-tourism;

home occupation/home based business;

ALR;

 See document for related accessory use regulations in Agricultural Zones. 9.1.1
development and productive use of agricultural land;

siting and coverage;

ALR

 See document for siting and coverage in Agricultural Zones 9.1.2

 

Schedule A to Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014

Topic(s): Economic Development, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Urban Agriculture, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topic(s): 'benefit to agriculture' language, agri-tourism, agricultural impact assessment, ALR, ALR subdivision, BC environmental farm plan, farmers' markets, local procurement, protection of farming development permit area, urban containment/growth boundary, wildlife and ecosystem management, zoning

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2014

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Topic Sub-Topic  Policy or policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
wildlife/environmental/pest management;

wildlife and ecosystem management;


BC environmental farm plan;

 In recognition of the role that agriculture has on the natural environment and community values, Maple Ridge will work in cooperation with the Agricultural Land Commission to foster and maintain the  agricultural land base. The District will also encourage local farmers to prepare Environmental Farm Plans to enhance sustainable agriculture and minimize potential adverse impacts to the natural environment. 5.17  

food sales, access and procurement;


economic development;;

farmers' markets;


agri-tourism;

local procurement;

 Maple Ridge will work cooperatively with senior levels of government and other agencies to promote agricultural business opportunities by:
a) aligning land use bylaws to permit supportive non-farm uses such as   agro-tourism, bed and breakfasts, 
and on-farm sales;
b) assisting agricultural landowners to identify and develop agricultural opportunities (e.g. value added, agri -tourism, bed and breakfast, recreation);
c) identifying and encouraging access by agricultural landowners to agricultural programs;
d) promoting the demand for, and sale of, local agricultural products within the community (e.g. farmer’s  market, on-farm marketing, District food and plant material procurement policies); 
e) developing a small lot agricultural initiative tailored to Maple Ridge conditions.		 6-8 *
development and productive use of agricultural land;

urban containment/growth boundary;


ALR;

 Maple Ridge will strive to maintain its agricultural land base in Maple Ridge through the following 
mechanisms:
a) supporting the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy, which includes designated agricultural land;
b) respecting the integrity of the urban area boundary by establishing a distinct separation between rural  and urban designated areas;
c) designating all lands outside of the Urban Area Boundary that are within the ALR as Agriculture in the  Official Community Plan.  Non-farm uses approved by the Agricultural Land Commission and the District  will be permitted on all land designated Agricultural;
d) striving for a balance between farming activity and conservation lands.

 		 6-10 *
development and productive use of agricultural land;

zoning;


ALR subdivision;


agricultural impact assessment;


buffer at agricultural edge;


ALR;


'benefit to agriculture' language;

 Maple Ridge will protect the productivity of its agricultural land by: 
a) adopting a guiding principle of ”positive benefit to agriculture” when  making land use decisions that could affect the agricultural land base, with favourable recognition of initiatives including but not limited to supportive non-farm uses, infrastructure improvements  for farmland, or the inclusion of land elsewhere in the Agricultural Land Reserve;
b) requiring agricultural impact assessments (AIAs) and Groundwater Impact Assessment of non-farm development and infrastructure projects and identifying measures to off-set impacts on agricultural capability; 
c) preserving larger farm units and areas by using appropriate buffers such as roads, topographic features, watercourses, ditching, fencing, or gradually reduced residential densities on properties adjacent to agricultural land;
d) discouraging the subdivision of agricultural land into smaller parcels, except where positive benefits to  agriculture can be demonstrated;
e) reinforcing the concept that the Agricultural Land Reserve is intended for agricultural use by increasing  the minimum lot size for ALR properties that are zoned Rural Residential;
f) encouraging the amalgamation of smaller parcels of farmland into larger, more cohesive parcels.		 6-12 *
urban agriculture;

protection of farming development permit area;


nuisance complaints;

As part of the Agricultural Planning process, Development Permit Area Guidelines for the protection  of farming will be developed to:
a) reduce impacts on farmland and maintain compatibility between farm and non-farm uses; 
b) guide the form and character of future adjacent non-farm development; 
c) place conditions on title to inform non-farming rural residents of normal incidents encountered when  living in an active agricultural area (e.g. noise, odours, crop spraying, traffic).

 6-13 *

 

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