Skip to content

City of Penticton invites residents to help draft food security plan

Public feedback will be accepted until Nov. 30
27244214_web1_211124-PWN-FoodPlan_1
Grocery store shelves are bare in the Okanagan as supply routes have been shut off from the rainfall and landslides that closed the Coquihalla and every other route to the rest of Canada. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

From now until Nov. 30, the city of Penticton is inviting residents to give their input on a Food Security Plan, a draft that’s meant to outline the steps both the community and city can take in ensuring food access to everyone.

Penticton released its strategy and public feedback form on Friday morning at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca. Among the questions for residents to answer include asking how the city can improve access to locally grown food.

For a number of years, Penticton has interacted with the community and their opinions through the website. And on Friday, the city announced that they are ready to launch a food strategy with the help of its residents.

“This draft plan is reflective of the thoughtful process and hard work that went into the strategy’s development,” said Blake Laven, the director of development services. “The City acknowledges the helpful advice of the volunteer Food Security Working Group and the countless community members who contributed to the strategy and we’re looking forward to receiving feedback on the draft from the broader community.”

The draft is expected to be presented to the council for consideration after Nov. 30.

READ MORE: Penticton launches plan to tackle food insecurity and poverty, seeks community input

On the feedback form, the City presented its vision for the food strategy, prompting residents to either agree or disagree with the statement.

“Penticton residents have equitable access to appropriate food that they can afford. Indigenous residents and Penticton Indian Band are supported in achieving greater Indigenous food sovereignty.

“Food producers and processors are supported as part of a resilient, ecologically sustainable, and economically and socially just regional food system,” it reads at the start of the feedback form.

The form has a total of 13 questions and is now officially open to be completed until the last day of the month.

READ MORE: Grocery stores have no supply after landslides close highways


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.