Theme SO 3: Food and Nutrition

Theme Statement

People in Kingston have access to healthy and affordable food that is available through locally sustainable agriculture, local markets, and community gardens.

Indicators

Community Gardens (Total number of community gardens or garden area/dwelling).
Household spending on nutritious food (Cost of a nutritious food basket).

Goals

Enhance access to healthy food choices.
Establish a Kingston Regional Food Policy Council.
Establish a distribution system for local foods at the wholesale as well as retail level.
Encourage the development of urban agriculture and community gardens.
Promote the consumption of locally grown food through food markets.
Promote food skills including food production, selection, storage, preparation, and nutrition through the establishment of urban agriculture, community gardens, school gardening, community kitchens, and cooking programs in community recreation centres, libraries, schools and community hubs.
Promote the coordination of food providing services for low income residents (i.e. hot meal programs, food banks, and shelters).

Actions

Action	Action Lead	Target	Status
Healthy and Vegetarian By Choice Program Aimed at helping our customers make healthier choices! This includes nutrition facts on a la carte items and Nutrition Month programming. We also educate our customers quarterly through Fresh Attitude (Brown’s healthy lifestyle Newsletter).	Brown's Dining Solutions	Educate our customers about healthy eating and lifestyles.	Ongoing
Local Food Purchases We are a member of Local Food Plus (a non-profit organization that brings farmers and consumers to the table to share in the benefits of environmentally and socially responsible food production). We are maintaining a commitment with this organization through our purchasing practices.	Brown's Dining Solutions	We plan to continue working with Local Food Plus now and in the future to grow our local food usage wherever it is deemed appropriate.	Ongoing
Rainforest Alliance Certified Nabob Coffee	Brown's Dining Solutions	Have Rainforest Alliance Certified Nabob coffee available at all locations.	Completed
Local Food Network Our current efforts are guided toward improving the local food network in Kingston. We have a good working relationship with some Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) in town and promote their services. We hold workshops for community members outlining local, organic eating and offer our space to similar groups who wish to use it, free of charge.	Kingston Integrated Healthcare	To improve access to CSAs for medium to high income individuals through education, we increase the CSAs ability to offer clean and local produce to low income families.	Ongoing
Connecting Eaters to the Local Food System - Fresh food availability; weekly produce baskets. - Community garden development, support and education programs. - Food skills, production, recipes, cooking, lessons and storage knowledge.	Main Street Market	To increase amount of food produced and cooked in urban Kingston.	Ongoing
Queen's University and Community Garden The site includes 16 small beds located in a plot of land beside “The Stone House” at 300 Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard. Individual plots are available for rent.	Queen’s University	The goal is to provide a gardening opportunity to Queen’s community members and create a space where people can come together and share experiences and learn new skills.	Ongoing (annual: May to October 31)
Nutritious Food Basket A survey used to monitor the cost and affordability of healthy eating in Canada. The survey includes 67 food items found in Canada’s Food Guide and used to prepare nutritious meals and snacks. More information on The Cost of Eating Healthy in KFL&A 2010 is available.	KFL&A Public Health	Measure the cost of eating according to current nutrition recommendations and food consumption data.	Ongoing (annual report)
Good Food Box Site For more information, see last item on the website under "Eating Well". A flyer is also available.	KFL&A Public Health	To provide access to fresh vegetables and fruit at wholesale prices.	Ongoing
Healthy Eating Partnership Meetings Meetings with community members who are engaged in food and nutrition issues and initiatives.	KFL&A Public Health	- Increase the capacity of community partners to coordinate and develop local healthy eating programs and services. - Work with municipalities to support healthy public policy and creation or enhancement of supportive environments.	Ongoing
Community Food Advisor Program For more information, see second item on the website under "Eating Well". A pamphlet is also available.	KFL&A Public Health	Provide reliable information and education that promotes safe and nutritious food selection, preparation, and storage practices.	Ongoing
Local Food Local Chefs A partnership program that aims to increase awareness of local food in Kingston by creating local food events, websites, promotional and educational materials/opportunities.	Downtown Kingston! B.I.A.	- Increase sales of local food at the Public Market. - Increase the number of restaurants and shops featuring local food. - Build regional market opportunities for the local food industry. - Build Kingston as an authentic culinary tourism destination. - Increase consumer awareness of local foods in Kingston.	Ongoing (annual event)