OIDP

Country

Canada

Type of experience

participatory planning diagonisis space/workshop...

Theme

environment and climate action public space resilience and disaster management

SDGs

SDG 2 SDG 11 SDG 13 SDG 15

The Vancouver Park Board encourages citizens to contribute to a just and sustainable local food system through its network of parks, facilities, programs, and community connections.

Objectives

The main objectives of this policy revision are:

Assessing current food assets and services
Allocating resources and reducing barriers to currently underserved communities
Addressing what was learned during the COVID-19 pandemic
Building community resilience and mitigating the effects of climate change
Decolonizing food asset and service provision and supporting Indigenous food systems

Participants

All Vancouver's residents are encouraged to participate in this consultation.

Description

Background

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, commonly referred to as the Vancouver Park Board, is the elected board with exclusive possession, jurisdiction and control over public parks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

In 2013, the Park Board adopted a 5-year Local Food Action Plan with the aim to become a leader in supporting and growing local, sustainable food. The plan was developed by a Task Force including staff, community leaders, community organizations, and advisory councils. The plan had 4 priorities, 8 goals and 55 actions.

With many of the actions achieved and a need to integrate emerging priorities, the plan is being updated. Park Board VanPlay directions to 1) deliver services equitably, 2) welcome everyone, and 3) weave the city together, will guide the update with an emphasis on:

Assessing current food assets and services
Allocating resources and reducing barriers to currently underserved communities
Addressing what was learned during the COVID-19 pandemic
Building community resilience and mitigating the effects of climate change
Decolonizing food asset and service provision and supporting Indigenous food systems

Your description here

Consultation timeline

The Municipality team has opened a public consultation through “Shape Your City” the online platform for Vancouver residents to share ideas and feedback with the City.

Phase 1: Research and assessment

October to December 2020

Staff review feedback received since the 2013 plan and assess current food assets, services, trends, needs and opportunities.

Phase 2: Community engagement 1

November 12, 2020 to February 4, 2021

Community shares input through a survey, virtual public engagement and stakeholder meetings

Phase 3: Draft 1 of the update

Early Spring 2021

A first draft of the updated Local Food Action Plan is written

Phase 4: Community engagement 2

Spring 2021

Community gives feedback on the first draft of the updated plan

Phase 5: Presentation to the Park Board

Late-Spring 2021

The plan is updated based on community and staff input and presented to the Park Board for approval.

Final report

The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.

The survey forms were available in English and also in Mandarin Chinese and Punjabi, the languages of two important communities living in Vancouver.

Sources

Consultation on ShapeYourCity platform

Vancouver Park Board Local Food Action Plan Update Survey

2013 Local Food Action Plan

VanPlay: Vancouver's Parks and Recreation Services Master Plan

Grandview Woodland Food Connection information on the consultation process