Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

The Land Food People Foundation, a charitable foundation, contracts Local Food Plus (LFP) to deliver its programs. Local Food plus is an award-winning non-profit organization that nurtures regional food economies by certifying farmers and processors for local sustainable food production and helping them connect with buyers of all types and sizes. LFP Certified Local Sustainable farmers and processors reduce or eliminate pesticide use, treat their animals well, conserve soil and water, protect wildlife habitat, provide safe and fair working conditions, reduce energy use, and sell locally wherever possible. You can support local sustainable farmers by asking for LFP Certified Local Sustainable food where you shop and dine.

History of Organization

Local Food Plus was founded by Lori Stahlbrand, a former CBC broadcaster, university professor and food system activist, and incorporated as a non-profit in October 2005. Stahlbrand was concerned that we are losing our ability to feed ourselves by paving over our best farmland while becoming increasingly reliant on imported food, even at the height of our growing season. Studies have indicated that if borders were to close for any reason, Toronto would have only 3 days worth of fresh food. Many Torontonians want to support local farmers, especially those who employ environmentally and socially sustainable practices, but they find it difficult to identify. By working with stakeholders and experts to develop the most comprehensive yet accessible certification system for local sustainable food in North America, and with market partners willing to purchase the food, Stahlbrand created a way for Torontonians to turn their everyday food purchases into a powerful tool for improving the environment and the economy. Among the more than 75 partnerships that LFP has developed, the most prominent are the University of Toronto, which currently has the largest university local sustainable procurement program in Canada, and Fiesta Farms, the largest independent retailer in Toronto, which carries a wide range of Certified Local Sustainable products.

Accolades and Accomplishments

LFP’s work has been recognized in the media and through awards such as:

• 2009 Tides Canada Foundation’s Top 10 Innovative Non-Profits
• 2008 Green Toronto Award for Market Transformation
• 2008 Canadian Environment Gold Award for Sustainable Living
• 2007 NOW Magazine Award for Best Green Initiative

Since Local Food Plus launched in late 2005, we have certified more than 200 farmers and processors, and established relationships with more than 75 market partners, the majority of which are located in Toronto. LFP launched its first partnership with the University of Toronto (U of T) in September 2006, helping U of T become the first university in North America to commit to purchasing local sustainable food for its cafeterias. Over four years, with LFP’s support, the percentage of local sustainable food at the U of T has risen to 20%. Despite a modest budget, LFP has engaged other institutions, retailers, restaurants, caterers and distributors, creating links that have resulted in millions of dollars in new sales of local sustainable food.

Programs

>Buy to Vote Campaign

LFP connects Torontonians with their neighbours who grow and process food in environmentally and socially responsible ways. We help to bridge the rural-urban divide by bringing farmers, processors, distributors, retailers, restaurants and public institutions together with consumers, where they can share in shaping a more environmentally-friendly food future. In a globalized world, Local Food Plus is about creating a local food system that is environmentally and socially responsible, and creates local jobs in the food sector, one of the biggest employers in this city. We accomplish this by a unique combination of certification, market development and public engagement. In April 2010, we launched our first major public awareness program. Our “Buy to Vote” campaign helps people act on their desire to become responsible consumers and active citizens around food. Whether they are shopping in a grocery store, eating in a restaurant, or purchasing food in their school or workplace cafeteria, many people understand that their food choices can shape the world and have a profound impact on the future and well-being of their families, their communities and the planet. They believe that they are voting with their dollars with every purchase, and they want to cast their votes responsibly. LFP’s “Buy to Vote” campaign helps them vote with their dollars and measure the impact those votes are having.

Buy to Vote Campaign

Every time we buy food we’re voting for the kind of food that we want. When we spend money, we’re telling the people who feed us that we want more of what they’ve got to offer. Every purchase we make has an impact on the world around us, on the people that bring goods to our homes, and on our economy. Many of the approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) require expensive infrastructure and commitments from government and industry. Food is an area where individuals can vote with their dollars every week to move the marketplace to support food that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and injects money into the local economy. As much as one third of all GHGs come from the food sector. By shifting $10 a week of your food purchases to local sustainable food, you can make a concrete contribution to reducing the impact of climate change and pump more money into the local economy. It’s a small act, but it can make a big difference. You can help save the environment and support local farmers by voting with your dollars for fare that fair, healthier communities and good food for tomorrow!

Program Impact

When 100 people shift $10 a week to local sustainable food for a year, they reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) by the equivalent of nearly 10 cars, and create 1 local job.

1000 people = nearly 100 cars worth of GHG reductions & 10 new local jobs

10,000 people = nearly 1000 cars worth of GHG reductions & 100 new local jobs

When we vote for local sustainable food, we’re voting for:

• Local farmers & food production
• Reduced pesticide & fertilizer use
• Soil & water conservation
• Humane animal treatment
• Protection of natural species & their habitats
• Safe and fair working conditions for farm workers
• Reduced energy use

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“There were 19 days in 2007 when ground-level ozone in the Toronto Region exceeded threshold levels (the 7-year average was 21 days). Industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust are primary contributors.”

“In July 2009, Toronto’s unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) stood at 10.7% (up from 7.7% in the same month in 2008). This was higher than the Regional rate (10%), the Ontario rate (9.4% up from 6.5% in July 2008) and the Canadian unemployment rate (8.6% up from 6.1% in July 2008).” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Jaco Lokker first heard about Local Food Plus when our President presented a partnership proposal to senior food procurement staff at the U of T in 2005. The university went on to become the first in Canada to formally commit to purchasing local sustainable food – 10% in the first year, with a 5% increase each year thereafter. As Executive Chef of 89 Chestnut Residence, Lokker took the program to heart. “The goal is to promote sustainability and ensure that our students have an opportunity to eat healthy and nutritious meals, to learn where the food they eat comes from, and to support local farmers,” says Lokker. Lokker experiments with seasonal menus, connects directly with farmers, and organizes presentations about local sustainable food for students. He pays a premium to local farmers and processors and saves money by reducing food waste. Last school year, he achieved the goal of 20% local sustainable food at the residence. For Lokker, serving local sustainable food is a passion. He gets satisfaction from knowing that he is helping to prepare the leaders of tomorrow. Local Food Plus helps him help students to understand the importance of local sustainable food systems to healthy communities and a healthy future. The U of T has recognized the importance of Jaco’s work by naming him Director of Food Services for the St. George campus.