The security of the food supply

By Ken Boshcoff
MP T.Bay-RR

In the past year, Canadians have become much more aware of the importance of food security. Numerous incidents have occurred involving unsafe food that resulted in the illness or death of both people and animals.
The tainted spinach ordeal in the United States in September 2006 caused over 100 people to suffer the ill effects of E. coli bacteria contamination and resulted in one death. In October 2006, a recall was ordered on carrot juice that was contaminated with botulism. This past March, pet food made with contaminated wheat gluten from China, caused the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs.
At Thunder Bay’s Lakehead University, students and researchers have recently begun focusing on food security. The Food Security Research and Service Exchange Network brought together numerous community and campus partners in May 2006 to create Community Service Learning opportunities - community-based research projects that can be incorporated into university credit courses. Dr. Connie Nelson of the School of Social Work and Dr. Doug West of the Department of Political Science worked together to form the Network, which serves as the hub for faculty and community members to work together to build community-based research projects.
As part of their studies, participants in the Food Security Research Network outlined the need for and proposed a local Food Charter. They also worked with the University’s on-campus food services to ensure local food is being served and they assisted the Regional Food Distribution Association to optimize its capacity to obtain and distribute reclaimed food. The second annual Food Security Forum is in the planning stages and I look forward to seeing what new projects have been undertaken for improved food security in Thunder Bay.
The lessons learned through the Food Security Research Network can and must be extended across the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River. Does your child’s school serve local food in its cafeteria? Do you make the effort to buy from local producers throughout the year? Have you planted an extra row in your garden to help those less fortunate in your community to obtain fresh food?