14. PHABC – Urban Ag Policy in Vancouver

Organization Information

Organization Name

Public Health Association of BC

Mission and Vision of Organization

Vision

A fair and healthy British Columbia for all.

Mission

PHABC promotes health, wellbeing and equity for all British Columbians through leadership in public health.

Guiding Principles + Values

Approach

As a member-driven organization, we fulfill our mission through advocacy, collaboration and engagement activities, education, and research throughout the spectrum of public health practice and systems including prevention, promotion, protection and policy.

Identified priorities

Eliminating poverty; reducing health/socioeconomic inequities; addressing climate change and healthy environments; contributing to a sustainable, equitable economy; and preventing violence.

Contact Information

• Primary Contact Person(s): Aaren Topley
• Email: sr.consultant@phabc.org
• Phone: 250-885-7752
• Address: Victoria BC
• Website: phabc.org

Preferred Method of Contact

• Best method(s) to contact: Email, Phone
• Best day(s) to contact: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, I will be in town roughly one week per month for an in-person meeting. I will also be available by email or phone during the week.
• Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons

Project Description

Can You Dig It (CYDI) is a community garden initiative that was launched in 2009 to create opportunities for individuals and community groups to become included in the social fabric of their neighbourhoods. CYDI has created and supported 39 community gardens on public and private lands throughout the Lower Mainland, engaging over 40 partner organizations and 1,700 gardeners. PHABC has recently become responsible for supporting the CYDI gardens, and wishes to provide the most robust support possible. The aim of this project is to explore the policies and supporting documents that enable community gardens in the municipality of Vancouver.

Main deliverable:

Students will compile key food policies and supporting documents towards the development of a report that highlights the City of Vancouver's community garden policies. The report will link to council meeting agendas and when specific community garden or food policies were discussed (including 2 to 3 examples).

What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

Understanding the complexity of individual municipal policies and practices with regards to community gardens.

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

• Well organized, independent and attentive to detail
• Ability to collect, analyze and process large data
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Student Assets and Skills (to be developed through the project)

• Understanding of food municipal policies
• Understanding of how municipal policies occur

Is a criminal record check required?

No

Project Location

City of Vancouver

Preferred Days of Week and Hours

Self-directed/flexible

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review these materials prior to the first partner meeting:

• City of Vancouver Food Policy Website
• Vancouver Food Strategy
• Vancouver Food Strategy update report and action plan
• Vancouver Park Board Local Food Action Plan
• Relevant minutes from the City of Vancouver Committee of the Whole and Council (including Parks) (check with your TA for guidance)
• The Official Community Plan and other strategic and policy-related documents (check with your TA for guidance)

Additional Project/Partner Orientation Materials

The following will be provided at the first community partner meeting:

• N/A

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

• Students are strongly encouraged to attend one or more Vancouver Food Policy Council meetings
• In the event that an urban agriculture-related motion is being addressed at either a Vancouver City Council meeting or Park Board Committee meeting, students are strongly encouraged to attend and observe the proceedings