Food Policy Information
Food information
Food Security Opinions from local Politicians
Category Archives: Kelowna
Kelowna Mayor – Walter Gray
What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
The Agricultural Land Reserve plays a significant role in preserving quality farm land. I support the ALR but believe it needs to be reviewed after 38 years in place. Many farmers have told me some of the restrictions within the ALR are outdated. Often the effect is to prohibit the potential development of poor-quality soils or steep terrains which can make the difference between an orchardist staying afloat with more productive land or being forced to exit the business. It’s time we consider including an appeal process in the ALR framework. The COFPC policy with respect to gleaners is an interesting concept and further exploration of its potential is certainly warranted.
What are some ways you will support local farmers?
Food procurement at City Hall and other city-run facilities should, wherever possible, be carried out with regard to the “100 Mile Diet”. The Okanagan should be as much a mecca for “foodies” as it is for wine fanciers. We already have public art depicting apples and orchards situated throughout the city. I would encourage more that reinforces the important role of growers in the local economy. City events should honour the early pioneers in orchards and cattle ranching who figured significantly in the development of the Okanagan region. Opportunities to promote agri-tourism, which is currently helping many farmers maintain their viability, should be explored by the City.
What are your plans for a permanent farmers market, which is easily accessible by transit, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic.
I encourage the City to work with the Kelowna Farmers and Crafters Society to look at a permanent market site, possibly on lands directly south of the current location. We already have the main market opposite Orchard Park operating from April to October and one indoors at the Parkinson Recreation Centre from November to March. Perhaps during peak tourism months or on long weekends, we should consider a “food festival” at Stuart Park geared to promoting and selling local food to tourists. Of course, KFCS would not want it to clash with the regular market.
Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and bees in urban areas?
I would not support regulations opening up the entire city to urban agriculture, as the potential impact on neighbors and the environment needs to be considered. In certain areas with larger residential lots, such practices may make sense.
How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
Community gardens are growing in popularity. Many multi-use sports facilities already encompass them and I would encourage such undertakings in other publicly accessible locations, again where considerations of natural habitats and proximity to residential areas do not discourage their development.
Kelowna Councillor – Maxine Dehart
- What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
Kelowna and the surrounding area has an abundance of agricultural wealth and financial wealth. We need to work together with food producers, schools, not-for-profits to create a comprehensive plan to ensure that we reduce the number of food insecure people in our community. It is unacceptable to me that in a region full of farms and orchards that there are children who do not know where there next meal is coming from.
- What are some ways you will support local farmers?
One of my key campaign priorities is to ensure that we provide affordable, reliable irrigation water to orchardists, farmers, and vineyards. Also that City Council should always work from the understanding that Agriculture and Agri-tourism are key parts of our community, culture, economy and our heritage and encourage people to Buy Local. We need to listen to farmers, understand their needs and try to develop policies that help them thrive.
- What are your plans for a permanent farmers market, which is easily accessible by transit, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic.
I do not have any plans, personally, for a permanent farmers’ market, but I am whole-heartedly supportive of the idea. I believe that it would be a strong tourist draw, it would keep our community in touch with our agricultural community and heritage, it would improve the quality of nutrition in our community, and it is good for the environment for people to buy food that is produced in their community. Whatever location is chosen should be in town centre, that is easily accessible by large numbers of people on foot and transit. This will help ensure its success.
- Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and bees in urban areas?
Chickens no, I do not believe that they belong in urban areas, and we have plenty of agricultural land on which to raise animals. I would be open to discussion about bees as they are a vital part of pollination and therefore a vital part of our agricultural businesses.
- How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
With our growing seniors population and the rising cost of produce, I believe that community gardens are an excellent way to improve the nutrition of our community as well as the recreation and hobby opportunities for people in multi-family housing. With regard to farm-to-school programs, I do not fully understand what role City Council plays in these programs, if any. I would enjoy an opportunity to meet with your organization to learn more about these programs. I certainly support both community gardens and farm-to-school programs in principle as part of the solution to making Kelowna residents more food secure.
Kelowna Councillor – Robert Hobson
What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
Continue support for the ALR to preserve the land base. Connect local food producers to food programs at local institutions: Interior Health, School District 23, Okanagan College and UBCO as starters. They should be buying local.
What are some ways you will support local farmers?
I will support the policies listed above and will also support more community gardens and farmers markets. I would also favour connecting local producers to tourists—one idea I would like to promote is to create a cultural corridor on Benvoulin Road; we can interpret the amenities along that historic road and also attract visitors to artisans and food producers there.
What are your plans for a permanent farmers market, which is easily accessible by transit, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic.
I am generally supportive of the market proposed on Benvoulin. However, I would also like to see a market downtown as part of the Downtown Plan implementation.
Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and / or bees in urban areas?
I am open to looking at proposals in this area but caution that neighbourhood impacts need to be taken into consideration, so they might not be suitable on our smallest lots.
How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
I have supported our grant in aid at the Regional District to the Community Gardens Society and will continue to do so. Not sure what the City’s role in farm to school programs would be but I am open to anything that would encourage this.
Kelowna Councillor – Luke Stack
- What do you think are the top priorities to ensure a food secure community?
Protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve.
- What are some ways you will support local farmers?
On a civic level there are a few practical supports we can offer. The first is supporting home site severances for farmers that have lived on their land many years. Secondly, we can support secondary suites in principle residences. Both of these assist farmers in maintaining their property. Finally, I will continue to support agricultural policies in the OCP. The City has recently introduced Farm Protection Development Permit Guidelines. These policies are designed to minimize the impact of urban encroachment on farm lands.
- What are your plans for a permanent farmers market, which is easily accessible by transit, pedestrian, and vehicular traffic.
There is a site proposed for a farmers market on Benvoulin Road near Orchard Park. As I have a conflict of interest in these area, (My organization is located on adjacent lands) I am unable to promote it or speak to it.
- Would you change the regulations surrounding chickens and bees in urban areas?
I do not support chickens and bees in urban areas. Approximately 50% of Kelowna’s land base is agricultural. Approximately 40% of the this agricultural land is protected in the ALR. I believe that this provides ample space for livestock within Kelowna City limits.
- How are you going to increase the number of community gardens and farm-to-school programs?
Community gardens are expanding each year. The work of the Central Okanagan Community Gardens Society has been exemplary. I will continue to support using certain areas in parks to expand community gardens. The recent expansion of community gardens into Mission Sports fields and the Glenmore community gardens are excellent examples of the City working with non-profit groups to expand this resource.
