Category Archives: Laws and regulations

How to make urban food production economically sustainable

Posted on November 29, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

My thoughts, from the Food Talk series organized by Richard Wolack in Vancouver. Thanks for inviting me Richard.  

Posted in Farm to cafeteria, Food economics, Laws and regulations, Urban farmers | Tagged | Leave a comment

Beyond “evil” food banks: Nick Saul coming to Vancouver

Posted on October 14, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

Nick Saul, Toronto-based co-author of The Stop: How the fight for good food transformed a community and inspired a movement, is coming to Vancouver to explore possibilities for a community food centre in the Vancouver area. He’ll be at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food banks, Food economics, Food policy councils, Laws and regulations, poverty, Relieving hunger, Urban farmers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Nature’s Path CEO Arran Stephens’ impassioned talk on GMOs

Posted on July 18, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

Arran Stephens is one of the great persuaders on organic agriculture. He runs North America’s largest organic cereal manufacturer. Here are his comments from a recent rally against Monsanto in Vancouver– including how to shop for non-GMO foods. Arran’s speech … Continue reading →

Posted in GMOs, Growing soil, Industrial farming, Laws and regulations, Organics, Pesticides | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New CFIA “local food” definition is suspicious

Posted on June 13, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) new “local food” definition is suspicious, misleading and disturbing. Its sudden implementation and the misleading advantage it gives to food that isn’t really local but can be marketed as such suggest collusion with the … Continue reading →

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Unapproved GMO Monsanto wheat goes rogue

Posted on June 6, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

Unapproved GMO Monsanto wheat goes rogue in Oregon, prompting a lawsuit in Kansas. This USA Today story describes the implications for US trade with Europe and Asia: No genetically engineered wheat has been approved for U.S. farming. Many countries will … Continue reading →

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Embattled Lantzeville urban farmer gives up

Posted on June 3, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

  Dirk Becker and Nicole Shaw’s fight with their neighbour– and his friends on the Lantzeville, B.C. council– has worn them down to the point where they’re selling their Compassionate Farm property. Dirk’s style is not always conducive to compromise, … Continue reading →

Posted in Buying local, Commercial growing, Food security, Laws and regulations, Urban farmers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Is local food safer than imported food?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

Is local food safer than imported food? As this Utne Reader excerpt from my book shows, there’s no simple answer.

Posted in Backyard animals, Buying local, Food security, Laws and regulations, Urban farmers | Tagged | Leave a comment

EU banning bee-killing pesticide. Not U.S.

Posted on May 12, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

The European Union is banning a bee-killing pesticide to stem the collapse of its bee colonies. Meanwhile, there’s no such ban in the U.S., where 45% of hives were lost last winter, up 78% from the year before. Bees pollinate … Continue reading →

Posted in Industrial farming, Laws and regulations, Pesticides | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bi-partisan support for food literacy in Ontario

Posted on May 3, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

Ontario PCs want to add food literacy to the province’s proposed Local Food Act. The MPP bringing forward the amendment to the act says that in his party’s consultations with industry stakeholders, the PCs found that food literacy was a … Continue reading →

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Vancouver embraces sidewalk boulevard food gardens

Posted on April 18, 2013 by urbanfoodrevolution

Sorry, guerilla gardeners, you’ve just been legitimized. The city of Vancouver has issued guidelines for people who want to plant food, not just ornamentals, on the boulevards between the sidewalk and the curb. In the interests of soil safety and … Continue reading →

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