Farmers
who want to set up temporary farmers’ markets are in line for help from the
Waterloo Region Food System Roundtable.
The
Roundtable has hired Krista Long to conduct “a policy advocacy campaign to
support development of community gardens and temporary farmers' markets in the
region.”
Funding is
coming from the Heart and Stroke Foundation because it’s interested in
improving access to healthy food in the community through policy change.
Long has
experience with the food movement in the Waterloo Region because last year she
wrote a report with recommendations on how local groups and governments can
support the development of community gardens and temporary food markets.
“During
her research, Krista gained familiarity with community groups, policy makers,
and municipal staff and politicians; as well as zoning and licensing bylaws and
policies that exist in the region's three cities (Kitchener, Waterloo and
Cambridge) and four townships (Wilmot, Woolwich, North Dumfries and Wellesley),”
the Roundtable says.
Long is
designing a policy advocacy strategy and communications plan.
Roundtable
volunteers and others will have an opportunity to give feedback on the plan at
a meeting in mid-April.
In May,
the Roundtable will host a training meeting for volunteers who want to advocate
for community gardens and temporary farmers' markets.
“Volunteers
will gain the skills they need to lobby municipal councilors and candidates
during the upcoming election campaign.”
