Middlesex London Food Policy Council

What is a food policy council? A Food Policy Council is made up of members representing many parts of the food system including production, distribution, consumption and waste.

The History

Local citizens, farmers, non-profit organizations and government stakeholders have worked together for years to strengthen a local food system for Middlesex-London. Several great things have happened and are still going on in our community. Below are some of the events that are related to building a stronger local food system.

2007

London's Food Charter Development Group is formed.

2011

London City Council endorses London’s Food Charter, which establishes a vision of London as a food secure community. Part of the recommendation includes exploring the creation of a long-term group that will implement the Food Charter.

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2012

London Training Centre publishes their report on Sustainable Food Systems.
London Community Foundation hosts a focus group to talk about gaps in the local food system.
The County of Middlesex Official Plan includes statements and policies that promote sustainable local food systems.

2013

Ontario Local Food Act is enacted to help support the growth of successful and resilient local food economies and systems throughout Ontario.

2014

February: London Community Foundation, City of London and Middlesex London Health Unit host a Food Forum to determine the potential for a local food council. Attendees express unanimous support for a future Middlesex-London Food Policy Council (MLFPC).
October: Second community forum discusses the development, framework and activities for a future Food Policy Council. Attendees unanimously support a partnership model for a future FPC co-led by two community organizations. The group recommends a community food assessment (CFA) be completed as the next step.

2015

January-April: The Community Food Assessment Implementation Team (PDF 10KB) is created. The Community Food Assessment is supported by the London Community Foundation, City of London, London Food Bank and Middlesex-London Health Unit.
May: County of Middlesex Agriculture Strategy Report and Recommendations released with the guiding principle of increasing employment, investment and production in a sustainable manner. Also, the second draft of The London Plan, Draft 2 outlines strategies for building a “sustainable and strengthened local food system” within “City Building Policies”.
Fall: Middlesex-London Community Food Assessment initiated and Asset Mapping/Priority Setting Community Sessions are held.

2016

May: Community forum, inviting stakeholders to make decisions on terms of reference and present highlights of Community Food Assessment.
June: Public release of the Middlesex-London Community Food Assessment Report and the Middlesex-London Food Policy Council Application to invite those interested to apply for Initial Food Policy Council membership.
Fall: Meeting to plan for MLFPC governance and membership and recruitment for MLFPC members.

2017

January: Inaugural meeting of MLFPC with first members.

2018

February: Beyond Waste forum held at Western University https://mlfpc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Final-Report.pdf.

2021

MLFPC Food System Champion Campaign initiated https://mlfpc.ca/foodchampions/.

2022

Community Food Assessment update and multiphase research https://mlfpc.ca/resources/2022-community-food-security/.
November Event "Know Your Food".

2023

November Event “Taste, Talk and Connect” to release Multiphase Research findings.

More Information

For information about the Middlesex-London Food Policy Council, please visit: www.mlfpc.ca.

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Date of creation: June 7, 2016
Last modified on: July 23, 2024