Stetski tables bill to establish national local food day

Kootenay–Columbia MP Wayne Stetski introduced a bill to establish a National Local Food Day on Wednesday, June 1, to designate the Friday before Thanksgiving of each year as National Local Food Day.

“The importance of local food is something that needs to be recognized and something that needs to be celebrated,” Stetski said.

“In our region we have an amazing array of high quality locally produced food, from vegetables and fruit, to pasta and chocolate, to meat and organic milk. Our local farmers, manufactures and retailers are integral not only to our food security but to our local economies.”  

A media release issued to the Mountaineer reports that according to the Conference Board of Canada, 77 per cent of Canadian consumers think locally produced food is important for their purchasing decisions, while farmers markets contribute over $3 billion dollars annually to the Canadian economy.

MP Wayne Stetski at Yasodhara Ashram Greenhouse on Kootenay Lake. Photo: contributed

A number of community figures in the Kootenays came out in support of the concept, including Sophie Larsen, project coordinator of the Cranbrook Food Action Committee.

“This is exciting news,” she said. “We support any initiative, such as the creation of a National Local Food Day, which helps to build awareness about the importance of a healthy and sustainable local food supply in our community.”

Jesse Woodward, markets and events director for the West Kootenay EcoSociety, said that the significance of a healthy local food system cannot be understated.

“Our markets have a large social impact locally and are an important local economic driver in our area,” she said.

“Locally grown and produced food is such an important part of building healthy communities. During the peak of the Nelson outdoor market season from June to September, we have 100 plus vendors and thousands of patrons that utilize the markets every week.”

MP Wayne Stetski at Cranbrook’s winter farmer’s market. Photo: contributed

Jon Steinman, president of the Kootenay Co-op’s board said the group supports making a day to highlight the importance of locally produced food for our local economies and environment.

“Through our True Local program, the Co-op supports more than 100 farmers and food producers in our region with payments of approximately $1.8 million annually,” he said. “We see the local multiplier effect of that investment in our economy and we applaud any effort to help strengthen the connections between food producers and consumers.”

Steksti said ensuring that Canadians have access to healthy, affordable food and sustainable food systems need to be national priorities.

“There is a growing movement across the country that understands how much local food matters to communities, from farm to fork,” he said.

“Supporting and celebrating local farmers, manufactures and retailers in every community across Canada is essential to achieving these goals.”