History / Vision / Mission
Resources / Links
Resources
Durham Food Policy Council Brochure 2021
Durham Region Food Charter
The Food Charter was endorsed by Durham Region in November 2009. It provides the mandate and direction for the ongoing work of the DFPC, as well as principles to guide the development of food policy in Durham.
Durham Food System Report Card (full) 2024
Using a food sovereignty framework, this comprehensive and accessible report brings together a wealth of information produced by people across Durham’s food system. It provides a one-stop overview of our local food system assets and issues.This full version provides key metrics for success across all sectors of Durham’s local food system, along with sources and more detail than the condensed version.
Durham Food System Report Card (condensed) 2024
This shorter version of the Report Card also uses a food sovereignty framework to organize information produced by folks across Durham’s food system. It contains the most essential information from the full version of the Report Card.
Durham Food System Environmental Scan
This 2013 report, prepared by DFPC with support from the Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change (DRRCC), presents a scan and analysis of the local food system in Durham. The report overviews local food system initiatives and policies and recommends actions to further the objectives of the Durham Region Food Charter and the DRRCC.
Durham Region Agriculture Labour Market Survey- Data Report
The data presented in this report is the result of the Durham Region Agriculture Labour Market Survey that was conducted from January 8 to March 2, 2007. The purpose was to help determine the specific training and employment needs of the agricultural and agribusiness sector in the Region of Durham, and to identify gaps in, and barriers to accessing, current training and employment programs and services available in the Region.
This 2016 report was prepared by Durham Integrated Growers (DIG) with support from DFPC and other organizations. The purpose of this initiative was to identify policies that support or restrict elements of urban agriculture and also to look at gaps where effectively enacted policy would provide a more supportive environment for urban agriculture as part of a sustainable food system.
Cultivating the Conversation: Workshop on Urban Agriculture Policy in Durham Region
This Summary Report documents the outcome of a half-day workshop that gathered municipal staff to start a conversation about how policy in Durham Region can better support urban agriculture projects and the benefits they bring. This workshop was a follow-up to 2016’s Urban Agriculture Policy Scan, and was hosted by DFPC and DIG with support from Durham Region Planning and Economic Development and Feed the Need
Durham Region Agriculture Sector Climate Adaptation Strategy
This addendum to the Durham Community Climate Adaptation Plan (DCCAP) was prepared by an Agricultural Sector Expert Task Force created by the Region. It identifies anticipated risks to the local agricultural sector resulting from climate change, and sets out strategic objectives and short term, priority activities for adaptation.
National Food Policy Response Letter
DFPC and the Peterborough Food Action Network (PFAN) co-authored this letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister of Health. The letter responds to Canada’s National Food Policy, released in 2019, and includes our recommendations for the implementation of the National Food Policy and broader policy actions to promote food security in Canada.
Health Canada’s response to DFPC and PFAN’s letter regarding Canada’s National Food Policy.
Covid-19 has illuminated and exacerbated poverty and food insecurity already faced by Durham residents. DFPC views a Guaranteed Basic Income (in conjunction with other social programs) as an important way to address these forms of inequality.
This report prepared by the Durham Health Department provides summary statistics on household food insecurity in Durham, as well as its economic and social causes, and resources for those who would like to help address food insecurity.
DFPC Stakeholder Survey Report 2020
An important part of DFPC’s work is to listen to stakeholders across Durham Region’s food system on priority areas for action. This report provides a summary of the results from this stakeholder survey, including an overview of respondents, key strengths of Durham’s food system, specific challenges, and priority areas for attention.
A Guide to Starting a Home-based Food Business
(December 2020) This is a step-by-step guide to starting a home-based food business. It also provides you with a brief overview of public health requirements.
How Do You Measure A Food System? - Phil Mount PhD Presentation
Lessons from Covid-19 for food system resilience
Summer 2020
Community and Allotment Gardens
Comments on Policy Direction for Region of Durham Official Plan Review
Links
Local
Durham College
Durham Farm Fresh
Durham Integrated Growers for a Sustainable Community
Feed the Need in Durham
Durham Region Agriculture Sector Climate Adaptation Strategy
Durham Health Department – Healthy Eating
www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/healthyeating.aspx
Durham Health Department – Food Safety
www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/food-safety-training.aspx
Durham Health Department – Food Poverty
www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/food-poverty.aspx
Provincial
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Sustain Ontario
Canada
Food Secure Canada
PROOF Food Insecurity Policy Research
Government of Canada: Food Policy for Canada
FoodWork: Local & Sustainable Food Jobs
Webinars
Relocating Social and Ecological Values in Food Systems
PROOF Webinar
A webinar hosted by Food Secure Canada on the latest food insecurity statistics, presented by Dr. Valerie Tarasuk from the PROOF food insecurity research program at the University of Toronto. Tarasuk reports
“Everything we know about household food insecurity in Canada suggests that without effective responses to the hardships brought on by COVID-19, food insecurity will increase in prevalence and severity, and the health implications of being food insecure will become even more dire.”
“We need an income floor that is sufficient to meet basic needs and available to all.”