KAMLOOPS FOOD POLICY COUNCIL

THE KAMLOOPS FOOD POLICY COUNCIL (KFPC) ENGAGGES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AROUND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES THROUGH FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS POLICIES AND PARTNERSHIPS. THE KFPC WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST FOOD POLICY COUNCILS IN CANADA AND BOASTA AN IMPRESSIVE ROSTER OF PROGRAMS INCLUDING COMMUNITY GARDENS FARM TO SCHOOL BC THE GLEANING ABUNDANCE PROJECT AND COMMUNITY KITCHENS. FOOD SECURITY AND HEALTHY EATING ARE INTEGRAL SUPPORTS OF SOCIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING AT ALL AGES AND STAGES OF LIFE. THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. FOOD SECURITY AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL IS WHEN ALL CITIZENS OBTAIN A SAFE PERSONALLY ACCEPTABLE NUTRITIOUS DIET THROUGH A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM THAT MAXIMIZES HEALTHY CHOICES COMMUNITY SELF-RELIANCE AND EQUAL ACCESS FOR EVERYONE. FOOD SECURITY IS VITAL TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF A COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY AND IS THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY EATING. KFPC OPERATES TO PROVIDE AN OPEN WELCOMING NETWORK THAT FOSTERS AND STRENGTHENS THE KAMLOOPS REGION COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEM BY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO INFLUENCE POLICY SHARE KNOWLEDGE STIMULATE DIALOGUE CATALYZE ACTION AND INITIATE PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS. ONGOING CONTD. KAMLOOPS FOOD PROCESSING AND INNOVATION HUB FEASIBILITY PILOT. A FOOD HUB PROVIDES THE INFASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO REDUCE THE BARRIERS FOR LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS PROCESSORS AND FARMERS IN THE REGION. THE FEASIBILITY STUDY STRONGLY SUGGESTED THE NEED FOR AND FEASIBILITY OF A FOOD INNOVATION AND PROCESSING HUB FOR THE KAMLOOPS REGION. FEEDBACK FROM FOOD BUISNESSES INDICATED THAT THE KEY CHALLANGES THEY FACE COULD BE ADDRESSED THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABLE THROUGH A FOOD HUB.