27. Surrey Seeds of Change: Creating a Food Justice Report Card for the City of Surrey

Overview

Creating a Food Justice Report Card for the City of Surrey

Surrey/White Rock Food Action Coalition (Seeds of Change)

Organization Information

Organization Name

Surrey/White Rock Food Action Coalition (Seeds of Change)

Mission and Vision of Organization

Seeds of Change’s main vision is food security for all residents of Surrey through a sustainable and resilient food system.

We have four main focus areas to create change in the food system in Surrey through Seeds of Change Surrey:

Income
Food literacy
Access
Distribution

Guiding Principles + Values

Food Availability

This refers at the most basic level, to the presence of healthy food for purchase in the community. We hope to increase the amount of healthy food that is available for consumption.

Food Access

The second area, access, recognizes that although there may be healthy food available within the community, it is not always at a distribution point that can be easily accessed by vulnerable residents. We see significant food deserts in Surrey, or areas where people are not within walking distance of a grocery store. We hope to make it easier for people to reach distribution points for healthy food.

Income

A community may have healthy food available in locations that community members can access, but if those community members lack financial resources to purchase the food then they remain in a state of food insecurity.

Food Literacy

As barriers associated with availability, access, and income are addressed, we want to ensure that Surrey residents know how to make healthy food choices and prepare healthy snacks and meals.

Contact Information

Primary Contact Person(s): Steph Gariscsak, they/she
Email: stephanie.gariscsak@fraserhealth.ca
Phone: 604-657-2544
Address: #220 – 10362 King George Highway, Surrey, BC V3T 2W5
Website: http://surreywhiterockfoodactioncoalition.ca/seeds-of-change/

Preferred Method of Contact

Best method(s) to contact: Email, Phone
Best day(s) to contact: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
Best time(s) to contact: Afternoons

Preferred Platform(s) for Remote Collaboration

In person, Email, Phone, Zoom, Microsoft Teams

Project Description

Note: This project will take place online and in person

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

Seeds of Change is a coalition of community food security organizations committed to increasing food sovereignty within Surrey. We are looking to evaluate current program gaps within the municipality of Surrey regarding food justice and food security. Unlike other municipalities in our region, Surrey does not have a food charter, food policy council, or other citizen advisory mechanism focused on food systems. Seeds of Change is looking for evaluation practices being used in other municipalities to help inform our advocacy and the shaping of our municipality's food systems landscape.

Through the use of an initial environmental scan, LFS 350 students will research and design a report card which identifies indicators of success and necessary improvement for Surrey to possess a sustainable and just food system. This report card will be used as an advocacy tool when meeting with city councilors and policy decision makers.

Main Project Activities and Deliverables

Conduct an environmental scan of existing municipal food security "report cards" (geographic scope and target number of municipalities to be determined with partner)
Identify and catalogue indicators of food justice success/progress being used in different municipalities
Identify and catalogue what kinds of comparable evaluation criteria are being used in different municipalities
Identify gaps within the City of Surrey's food policy landscape
Summarize findings in a format(s) to be determined with partner (e.g. media creation of a report card, infographic)
Compile a spreadsheet/list of key documents for the community partner's reference

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

Interest in food justice
Knowledge of basic food justice principles
Knowledge of graphic design programs (ie: canva, inDesign)
Knowledge or interest in public policy
Knowledge or interest in evaluation and evaluation frameworks

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

No

Is a criminal record search (CRS) required?

No

How much self-direction is expected from the students?

Deciding on the project deliverable(s): Led by community partner
Developing the activity plan and timeline: Mostly led by community partner, with some student input
Scheduling and initiating the communication plan (e.g. weekly Zoom check-in, biweekly email update, etc.): Equal leadership between students and community partner
Implementing the activity plan (e.g. surveying stakeholder groups): Led by students
Finalizing the deliverable(s): Led by students

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

Students may also be interested in supporting the Black, African and Caribbean Advisory Committee which steers some Seeds of Change initiatives

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review the following materials prior to the first partner meeting. Additional orientation materials may be provided at the first partner meeting.

Additional Materials

Local Food Systems Action Plan (2021). Vancouver Park Board. See "7.0, Implementation Plan"
Vancouver Food Strategy (2013) and Vancouver Food Strategy Report Back and Action Plan Update (2017)
City of Richmond Food Charter (2016)
Food Security Action Plan: Statewide Planning (2022). Alaska Food Policy Council.
Cabaj, M. (2018). Evaluating Systems Change Results: An Inquiry Framework
State of the Food System report (2022). City of Austin, Texas.
Knowledge Brief: Strategic Learning. Kamloops Food Policy Council.
Unmet Charitable Food Need in Alameda County: A Report to the Alameda County Community Food Bank (2019).
https://foodactioncities.org/

Expected Outcomes

Intended Short-term Project Outcome

Seeds of Change is equipped with updated knowledge, allowing for more effective advocacy (e.g. with Surrey city councilors) surrounding the current lack of food security in Surrey, towards significant policy change to increase food security and food justice

Learning Outcomes

Through this project, I think students will learn about...

Current food justice policy windows
Municipal pathways for change
Core principles of food justice

By working on this project, I think students will develop skills and/or awareness of...

Surrey's municipal policy development landscape
Food security policy within southern british columbia

By the end of the project, I believe students will come to appreciate...

Collective impact initiatives
That their voice and knowledge has impact on the community

Community Projects