The District of Squamish is biting into food security issues.
On Tuesday (Jan. 24), council voted to endorse a Squamish Food Charter prepared by the Squamish Climate Action Network (Squamish CAN). The non-binding document presents a vision for a sustainable food system in Squamish, which benefits the community and environment, stated a report to council.
The document serves as good guidance for council on food-security issues, Mayor Rob Kirkham said.
"It's something we can refer to when creating policy," he said.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman found the lack of teeth accompanying the charter hard to swallow. She said she expected more district analysis to accompany the document and questioned why it wasn't being adopted as policy.
There has not been a sufficient level of community engagement make the charter binding, said Cameron Chalmers, the district's general manager of community services. The district and staff don't know how the charter would affect current bylaws, such as the animal attractant bylaw and regulations, he added.
"We have not even began to assess the implications to taxpayers," Chalmers said.
Council can decide to pursue food security policies during its strategic planning session, but to date, no local council has provided district officials with the funding or direction to do so, Chalmers said.
Heintzman made it clear that she would like to see that change.
"I look forward to making it a priority this year," she said.
In the meantime, Coun. Ted Prior pointed out there is nothing stopping council and residents from following the charter's suggestions. The document outlines recommendations such as food sharing, buying local products, and "waste" food from farmers and yards being re-distributed.
Squamish joins Vancouver, the B.C. Shuswap, Sudbury and Toronto in having its own food charter.
