City council asked city staff to look at the implications of implementing the new food security strategy developed by a multi-sector steering community last year.
The strategy was presented to council earlier this year, and last week Fraser Blyth and Hailey Ross gave a presentation on it to council.
“Food security is a growing concern,” Ross told council.
The food security strategy evolved out of the Revelstoke food charter that was created in 2013. Ross said it was developed in response to growing vulnerability to unstable global food markets.
“This vulnerability isn’t a very comfortable place to be when you’re trying to ensure your residents have access to healthy, affordable, sustainable food,” she said.
The strategy has several major goals, including the creation of a food security committee, having a paid food security coordinator, putting a community liaison on the board of the summer Farm & Craft Market, developing a chicken bylaw and establishing a community compost system.
“It’s about supporting food production within the city. It’s about making flexible bylaws and not being too restrictive,” said Blyth.
Ross noted several communities had food security coordinators, whether it was on staff or through a non-profit society.
Patti Larson, the coordinator of the food bank, told council that Community Connections could host that position and that it was looking for funding.
Mayor Mark McKee introduced a motion asking staff to look at the implications of the food security strategy. A report will likely come back to council at a later date.