SELRS in Brief

Despite an unfortunate acronym, this is a great project.

SELRS in Brief


Building a Sustainable Equitable Local Regional System for Food (S.E.L.R.S.) - Alberta



THE SITUATION: Alberta has a long-standing farming and agricultural tradition which has provided a foundation for its current infrastructure and resources. But there is growing awareness that as a society we are losing knowledge about food, our connections to local food, and the knowledge of retired farmers, homemakers and of First Nations peoples. Currently, the food system is driven by a global market and in large part by multinational corporations. There are real concerns about the effects of this industrial model on the environment and therefore the sustainability and viability of the way we get our food. This situation has Albertans talking about a desire to find solutions that focus on the local and regional level “Made in Alberta” solutions - to access healthy food, to rebuild relationships with food providers, and to create a system that is sustainable, equitable, environmentally sound and economically viable.





THE SOLUTION – TAKING THE NEXT STEPS, TOGETHER: This project aims to build relationships and systematically map the food-related assets in the central Alberta region to inform a S.E.L.R.S. framework, and formulate plans for the implementation of viable regional food systems that span from production to procurement, processing, distribution, safety and consumption. The formation of a regional food system is an innovative approach to food access. It means the communities will tap into and capitalize on their regional food resources. It will be a true picture of partnerships and collaboration - learning together about what can be grown in a region, how to grow it and how much can be produced sustainably, as well as how to prepare and store what is harvested.





Albertans want to get back to the basics of growing, cooking, preserving and storing food but it is critical that a two-tiered food system is not created: one for the 'haves' and another for the 'have nots'. We need equitable and regional food systems where all Albertans are food secure, are able to have healthy local/regional food and have connections and therefore choice and control over their food. The outlook is very promising here in Alberta. We do not need to start over; we can build on the knowledge and initiatives that already exist.



This project will open doors for established and new local businesses to be a part of the regional food picture and ultimately a regional food system either as a grower, a food warehouse/storage depot, a food transporter, seller, distributor or eater.





THE DELIVERABLES:

The Project Support Team will find and connect the resources that can produce food and ensure it is managed in environmentally and socially sound ways that nurture economic and social well being. An asset-based community development approach will ensure the system is equitable, where everyone is part of the creative process and will benefit from the outcomes. By March 2013 the Team will ensure the following deliverables for the project:

1. A facilitated and documented Asset Mapping, Relationship-building Process across the region:

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identifying, connecting and engaging people, groups, eaters, growers/producers, businesses and others within the central Alberta region who are interested in food and the food system.



2. An Environmental Scan of food system assets in the region which will include:

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identification of i) food system assets in place, ii) food system assets that have potential, iii) food system gaps, and iv) recommendations for moving ahead with a S.E.L.R.S. framework, a S.E.L.R.S. implementation plan and a S.E.L.R.S. sustainability plan



3. Collaboration with a web designer/developer to create a publicly available interactive web-based database of the food system assets in the region – assets in place and those with potential





4. An evaluation - Working with the GFSA Evaluator assess this approach to developing a regional food system and the impact on rural food insecurity.





THE SUPPORT: The Project Support Team- A partnership of experienced members representing Growing Food Security in Alberta (GFSA), Dietitians of Canada (DC), Community Building Resources (CBR); 16 Community Building for Food Security rural Alberta communities; enthusiastic and talented Community Animator/s; a diverse Steering Committee of people from the food, energy and financial sectors; will guide this project.

Conatct Rene: selrs[at]foodsecurityalberta[dot]ca

Vermont Agriculture Land Access Database (LAD)

Vermont Agriculture Land Access Database (LAD)

http://www.uvm.edu/newfarmer/?Page=vermont-lad/index.html