VISION

The Nipissing and Area Food Charter represents the voices, values, and priorities of our communities related to food. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable food system in our community. This Charter will guide the development of food-related initiatives and policies through the collaboration of residents, producers, organizations, and governments.
Therefore, because we value:

HEALTH AND WELLNESS, WE SUPPORT…

  • Access to nutritious, safe, affordable, culturally appropriate food choices wherever food is available
  • Neighbourhoods that encourage active transportation as a means to access healthy food
  • Healthy food as being integral to physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being
  • Breastfeeding friendly public places
  • Responsible marketing and advertising in community spaces to protect the health of children, youth, and families
  • Viewing all public relationships with a health lens

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE SUPPORT…

  • Local agriculture and food production that enhances the food system, job opportunities, and the local economy
  • Year round market opportunities for locally grown and harvested food products

SOCIAL EQUITY, WE SUPPORT…

  • Adequate income, employment, housing, and transportation that ensures dignified and secure access to food
  • Living wages for all involved in the production, processing and distribution of food
  • Community food initiatives that provide citizens with knowledge and skills to access and prepare nutritious food

THE ENVIRONMENT, WE SUPPORT…

  • Sustainable harvesting, production, processing, packaging, distribution, and disposal of food and by-products
  • A healthy balance between farmland, freshwater ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and existing urban green spaces
  • Food purchasing and waste practices that are environmentally responsible

FOOD LITERACY, WE SUPPORT…

  • Healthy food preparation as a basic life skill for all
  • Making the connection between food, health, and social well-being
  • Understanding where our food comes from and the benefits of choosing local and sustainably produced food

CULTURE, WE SUPPORT…

  • Food as a link that brings friends, families, and communities together
  • Community celebrations and cultural events around food
  • Awareness and respect for traditional and cultural food diversity
  • Fishing, harvesting, foraging, hunting and preserving as part of our food culture