WEEK 10: FOOD POLICY

Question 1

Is food a right or a commodity?

Answer 1

• access to food is a human right
• when we classify it as a right we put measures to ensure the things that make it a right are done: access, availability, adequacy, acceptability
• food is also a commodity sold for profit

Question 2

When is food considered a commodity?

Answer 2

• when profit drives production
• demand determines how and where food should be sold
• hoarding

Question 3

What is food policy?

Answer 3

• how govt actions, legislations, regulations, shape our food system
• approach to understand linkages within food systems and making a plan for decisions about food

Question 4

What are corporate food policies?

Answer 4

• type of food produced (organic vs local) (processed vs unprocessed)
• how employees are treated
• environmental commitments

Question 5

What is corporate social responsibility?

Answer 5

company’s commitment to manage social, environmental, economic effects of its operations responsibly and in line with public expectations

Question 6

Who makes food policy?

Answer 6

• government (all levels/branches)
• trades agreements
• families
• businesses
• groups

Question 7

Why does Canada need a food policy?

Answer 7

• food systems production, processing, distribution, consumerism, disposal have direct impacts on Canadians
• interconnected and integral to wellbeing of communities

Question 8

What are actions taken to address food system issues?

Answer 8

• income support programs
• policies to improve food environments and support healthy choices
• initiatives to reduce GHG emissions
• investments in innovation to increase capacity to produce high quality food

Question 9

What are issues in the Canadian food system?

Answer 9

• 1 million cannot access healthy foods
• 2/3 adults are overweight/obese
• 1/3 of food produced is wasted

Question 10

Thematic areas of Canadian food policy: vision

Answer 10

6 long term interconnected outcomes:

• vibrant communities
• increased connections
• improved health related outcomes
• strong indigenous food systems
• sustainable food practices
• inclusive economic growth

Question 11

Thematic areas of Canadian food policy: action areas

Answer 11

4 areas:

• help Canadian communities access healthy food
• make Canadian food the top choice at home and abroad
• support food security in Northern and Indigenous communities
• reduce food waste

Question 12

Thematic areas of Canadian food policy: principles

Answer 12

• inclusion and diversity
• reconciliation
• collaboration
• innovation
• sustainability
• evidence and accountability

Question 13

Key parts of Canadian school food program

Answer 13

• Canada is only member country of OECD without a national school food program
• school is good environment for healthy food program that can affect lifetime behaviours
• improves cultural awareness and social norms