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Durham Region Food Charter
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The Durham Region Food Charter is a document that outlines the values and beliefs about food in our community.  Many communities in Canada have developed food charters to promote their food systems to benefit residents and the environment.

In 2006, Durham Lives! Food Wellness Group developed a plan for the creation of a Food Charter for Durham Region.  The Toronto Food Policy Council Coordinator presented at a meeting of key stakeholders from across Durham Region.  The Food Charter Planning Committee initiated the development of a Food Charter through community consultation.  The community consultation included a Visioning Day where 63 delegates representing a variety of sectors within the Food system contributed to the underpinnings of the Food Charter.
 
The Durham Region Food Charter was launched on Friday April 25th.  22 people attended the launch which included a review of the completed Food Charter and a consultation on the relevance for the Durham Region Food Charter.

Those in attendance were inspired that the principles of the Durham Region Food Charter were very inclusive of the variety of values and beliefs about food and with the concepts of self reliance, sale of locally produced foods, fostering communication as a way to nurture understanding, addressing institutional use of food, and celebrating cultural diversity. 

It was identified that the Durham Region Food Charter could be used by a variety of people and organizations including individuals, families, schools daycares, MP’s, MPP’s, municipal and regional representatives, grocery stores, hospitals, and long term care facilities.

An ongoing group intends to implement a plan to release the capacity of the Durham Region Food Charter on a number of levels including:

1. engaging the public about the document and it’s relevance for our food system including agriculture, health and the environment,
2. Dialogue with relevant networks and organizations about endorsing the Durham Region Food Charter and,
3. Encouraging politicians and decision makers to use the Durham Region Food Charter to guide policy development to affect change in a positive way. 

Other Resources

• Toronto Food Charter (PDF)
• Greater Sudbury Food Charter (PDF)

For more information please contact: Brian.Dallaway@region.durham.on.ca