Official Community Plan

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MEETING OUR GOALS THROUGH FOOD SYSTEMS

Since 2020 City has supported the Island Food Charter which is committed to a just and sustainable food system in the Island region rooted in healthy communities. A food secure community is one in which everyone has access to food that is affordable, culturally preferable, nutritious and safe. This includes the ability for everyone to have the agency to participate in, and influence food systems. And this includes resilient, ecologically sustainable, socially just qualities that honour Indigenous food sovereignty. In order for a community's food system to be secure, the Charter recognizes the need for viable, sustainable, and resilient systems to grow, harvest, process, transport, and distribute food while also minimizing waste. The OCP land use strategy protects local food production opportunities by ensuring that agriculturally optimal lands are retained for agricultural uses. By focusing future urban growth within existing urban areas, pressure to develop agricultural lands for urban purposes is reduced. This also supports climate goals as agricultural lands can serve as powerful carbon sequestering industries when employing regenerative soil farming practices. Within the urban areas, food production spaces will be encouraged and gradually expanded in both public and private spaces.

Processing, distribution, storage and value add opportunities will also be supported throughout Courtenay. Increased residential densities in existing neighbourhoods will provide more customers for new, locally serving grocery stores, particularly in areas that are home to proportionately more equity-priority groups . Food vendors, community gardens, and edible landscaping will help to distinguish and celebrate the unique character and place-making elements of specific neighbourhoods. Sales and celebration of food will continue to bolster food culture in Courtenay, and the City will coordinate with regional efforts to increase food security and food justice for all. It is important for all residents to better understand local food systems and foster a sustainable food culture. Through collaboration and partnership with the K’ómoks First Nation and other Indigenous peoples, decisions about living landscapes, environmental protection, and park programming will seek to protect and restore access to traditional food cultivation and harvesting.

City of Courtenay Official Community Plan