A growing interest in food security

We are probably all familiar with the plight of many in the developing world who cannot afford to buy locally grown food that is produced for export. Little did we realize a few decades ago that one day this problem would surface in BC. The problem is globalization and the increasing concentration of agriculture and land ownership in the hands of big business.

Over the past few years interest in food security has been steadily growing in BC, together with a preference for buying locally grown food. This interest has been largely brought on by the abuses of corporate agriculture, in collusion with big government — most notably the problem of genetically modified food. There is wide-scale public rejection of both GMOs in particular and big the agri-chema-pharma complex generally. As a result, farmers’ markets have been popping up like fall mushrooms, with community greenhouses following them. People are holding “100 mile” community meals, and even the BC government has given lip service (but little support) to food security.

So it comes as no surprise that a peace and development group in Oliver, in the southern Okanagan, are hosting an information evening and film on food sovereignty. Taking their cues from a provocative film on food production, guest panelists will contribute their expertise and perspectives on food sovereignty. Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior), federal NDP agriculture and food security critic, will be co-hosting the event.

Atamanenko defines food sovereignty as “the right of a people to develop their own food policy. This includes deciding what types of food to grow, what ecologically sound and sustainable methods to use, and what systems to set up for production and distribution.” He will talk about the findings of his two-year cross-Canada consultations that form the background for his House of Commons report Food for Thought: Towards a Canadian Food Strategy.

“Our partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America, tell us they are having their food sovereignty taken away. They are often no longer able to define and govern their own food sources, agricultural policies and practices so they can be assured of a safe, healthy and sustainable food supply,” said Dale Dodge of Development & Peace.

“There is something very wrong with a system that forces farmers to use their land to grow cheap export crops for people in wealthy countries while their own community can’t access affordable food,” added Dodge. “The growing spectre of land for small scale farmers being taken to produce bio-fuels increases the seriousness of the situation.”

“Here in Canada, control of our food supply is steadily being centralized,” said Atamanenko, citing regulations crippling local meat producers as the latest example. “The quality and control of our food supply in Canada is steadily being eroded because of international corporate trade agreements. In spite of having some of the most productive agricultural land in the world, many farmers are going out of business because they cannot compete with cheap imports. The lack of affordable land is another huge barrier for anyone wanting to get in to the business.”

Joining Atamanenko and Dodge will be Thomas Tumbach of Localmotive Organic Farmer’s Co-op, town councillor and farms-to-schools supporter Marji Basso, and orchardist and town water councillor Rick Machial.

Participants will explore the challenges and barriers that both consumers and farmers everywhere encounter in producing, trading and obtaining safe, healthy and sustainable food — as well as successes and solutions for food sovereignty both in the global south and in the south Okanagan Valley.

The event is called “Food Sovereignty: An Evening of Information and Film” and it will take place at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 10th at Christ the King Church, 35060 – 107 Street in Oliver. For more information contact Dale Dodge, Development & Peace, at 250-498-4014 or Alex Atamanenko’s office at 250-365-2792 / 1-800-667-2393.