Basis of Unity

The Basis of Unity

for the

People’s Food Policy Project

 

Version I

May 8th, 2009

 

The following is a living document, a running tab of decisions that have been made at Management Team (M-Team) meetings and Advisory Team (A-Team) meetings that affect the vision, strategy, roles and responsibilities or other overarching issues to do with the People’s Food Policy Project (PFPP).

 

  1. Elements of a vision for the PFPP

 

Values:

Collaboration, decentralized solidarity, health, equity, justice, inclusive, critical, sustainable, respectful and inclusive of Indigenous peoples’ and other marginalized populations, solutions-focused, addresses root-causes

 

Vision:

We are collectively striving for a food system that:

  • represents our values (above);

  • is based on the 6 pillars of food sovereignty, and as such is centered on the following principles:

    • focuses on food for people;

    • values food producers;

    • localizes food systems;

    • puts control locally;

    • builds knowledge and skills;

    • works with nature.

  • is inclusive and reflective of the diversity of voices within Canada

  • is built on sustainable livelihoods

  • where food policy is the outgrowth of food practices, including the work of food producers, organizers, labourers, etc. rather than the other way around

  • where socio-political needs and processes determine the development and use of technology in food production and distribution

 

Questions:

  • What is our vision of the role of federal government in food governance?

  • What is our vision of the role that citizens play in this new governance system (citizen engagement)?

 

  1. Developing our Mission for the PFPP

 

The People’s Food Policy Project aims to unite the voices of Canadians to develop the People’s Food Policy, which will be based in the principles of food sovereignty and provide the framework for a just and sustainable food system here in Canada and abroad.

 

  1. Goals

 

Overall Goal: Adoption of a comprehensive national food policy at the Federal level that is based in the principles of food sovereignty and will provide the framework and an enabling environment to foster a just and sustainable food system here in Canada and abroad.

 

The following objectives will guide the PFPP over the coming years. We seek:

  • To increase food policy and Food Sovereignty literacy;

  • To support a grassroots movement in developing and adopting food policies based in the principles of Food Sovereignty;

  • To build communication and collaboration across peoples, regions and sectors to facilitate ongoing policy analysis and advocacy for Food Sovereignty;

  • To strengthen FSC and the food network across Canada.

 

  1. Activities, Strategy and Outcomes

 

Getting to a coherent, representative People’s Food Policy is going to take a lot of concerted collaborative work. Here are some of the pieces of the puzzle.

 

To run throughout the project:

  • Respect, good faith, spirit of collaboration and common cause

  • Collaboration amongst diverse, multiple and diffuse leadership

  • While working with government, document our investment in existing institutions (going through legitimate policy change channels of government)

  • Aim for the highest common denominator

  • Aim to embody the structure and process that we wish the government to adopt as a new governance system for food.

 

Phase I (January 2009 to January 31, 2010)

 

In the first phase of the project, a draft policy platform will be developed through the collaborative efforts of people engaged in the food movement.

 

Activities

  • Kitchen table meetings conducted by animators in regional networks of food-engaged people will identify:

    • Specific elements of a vision for food sovereignty in Canada

    • Federal policy proposals rooted in an analysis of the barriers participants face in their work (what policies need to be changed in order to facilitate and support the work you are doing to build food sovereignty?) and their vision of food sovereignty (what do we need to enable this vision at the federal policy level?)

    • to identify barriers to public participation

  • A policy retreat will be held in January 2010 with animators, members of the Advisory Team and Management Team to workshop and further develop the draft of the People’s Food Policy.

  • Begin to build relationships with government and bureaucrats to lay the groundwork for future advocacy efforts (ex: engage in discussion with MPs leading the food policy projects within the Liberal Party and the NDP)

  • Proposal to draw on existing networks, working groups, organizations and individuals who have already developed policy recommendations, analysis and proposals

  • Develop issue based policy teams (working groups) that have the experience and skills to analyze and write policy. Their first task will be to do a literature review of existing policy, policy proposals and to identify gaps in existing proposals at the federal level. They will work in a collaborative, iterative fashion with animators – taking animators’ policy recommendations and incorporating them into draft policy proposals and then feeding those draft policy proposals back to animators.

  • Tools to support Phase I:

  • Tool Kit on Food Sovereignty – to be completed by the end of June 2009

  • Website development, with public information and private space for working groups to communicate and work on collective projects.

 

Strategy

  • Pooling ideas from the regions, from kitchen table meetings and policy team research.

  • Iterative, rolling process, not boxed into times, moving in and out of retreat.

  • Discussion / deliberation / dialogue amongst foodies

  • We will not be seeking to mobilize citizens in the broad sense during Phase I, although this work may be ongoing due to activities of animators

  • This phase is about strengthening the existing food movement in Canada and bringing our collective understanding of the issues to a similar page (using Food Sovereignty as a framework).

  • Policy retreat – specific process / strategy for the policy retreat is not yet developed.

 

Outcomes – Phase I

 

  • A declaration about who we are and what we stand for as our first consensual public statement.

  • A draft People’s Food Policy platform, which will include as many items as necessary, with subtitles, key areas, etc. (a policy potluck that will have something for everyone, but that doesn’t have consensus on all points)

    • Criteria for inclusion – the policy / recommendation must adhere to and not contravene the principles of food sovereignty

 

Phase II (February 2010-November 2010)

 

In the second phase of the PFPP, the circle will be widened to include citizens and stakeholders not yet at the table. Deliberative dialogue methods will be used to engage citizens and stakeholders in analyzing and building on the draft People’s Food Policy.

 

Activities

  • Animators will arrange deliberative dialogue events in their regions and conduct outreach specific to those in other stakeholder groups (i.e.: private sector foodies).

  • Issue based teams will continue to integrate and review policy proposals that emerge from deliberative dialogue events.

  • Media relations will be developed in order build public image of the project

  • Continue to build relationships with government and bureaucrats)

  • Tools to support Phase II:

    • Resource kit for deliberative dialogue events

 

Strategy

  • Dialogue and deliberation of food policy with diverse stakeholders, citizens

  • Framing of issues in such a way that people can relate to it while at the same time not reinforcing the status quo.

  • Maintain media presence with our ‘good news’ story.

 

Outcome

  • The People’s Food Policy is launched November 2010 during high profile public event.

 

Phase III (December 2010-April 2011)

 

This is when we will launch into full-blown mobilization and advocacy (although these will have been going on in previous phases).

 

Activities

There are currently more questions than answers regarding how this will be conducted, as the hope is that these actions and strategies will emerge out of the coalition behind the PFPP.

 

Strategies

Here are some thoughts, ideas and questions that have emerged to date.

 

  • Once we have a policy platform, we will collectively decide which of these policy items are we going to campaign on

    • Do we start with a ‘wedge issue’ that will bring coalition together on unified position / issue (i.e.: democracy / governance, local food systems, etc.)?

  • OR – decentralized campaign building - perhaps we will structure it so that partners / members / working groups can initiate their own campaigns based on the platform / six pillars and leverage the PFPP / FSC to support the campaign

    • How to do this without losing unity? Strength in numbers?

 

Questions:

 

  • How do we envisage change happening? What do we want to prioritize? What processes and structures will allow us to move collectively, while encouraging and supporting diversified and grassroots initiatives?

 

 

  1. Relationships, Roles and Responsibilities

 

    1. Role of the PFPP within the Canadian context

 

  • To capture federal policy proposals that emerge from local and regional food networks and to unite these into a comprehensive policy platform and movement;

  • To support the work of regional food networks by providing analysis, communication system, pop ed materials, press releases, etc.;

  • To support and build networks amongst actors in the emerging food system through networking opportunities, such as communications and working groups;

  • To get the People’s Food Policy on the agenda of decision makers – to build political support so that they can’t ignore it.

 

    1. Relationship of PFPP to Food Secure Canada

 

  • There is a relationship of mutual support between the FSC and PFPP.

  • PFPP is the product of FSC members and others actors outside the network.

  • For Heifer funding, FSC acts as fiscal house to the PFPP; PFPP is to keep FSC informed of the advances of the project and of the financial and administration so that FSC can do due diligence and reporting to Heifer.

  • FSC will take action when PFPP makes a proposition and it is approved by FSC membership

 

    1. Roles and Responsibilities within PFPP

 

Animators

 

Animators are the face of and driving force behind the People’s Food Policy Project. As such, they will be responsible for most of the grassroots organizing related to this project to gather regional interests, priorities, and visions and to represent these to the national project. Animators are people who are already engaged in leadership and community mobilization on issues related to food sovereignty locally, regionally or provincially.

 

The following outlines the responsibilities of the animators as well as clarifying the goals of each activity. There is an understanding of and respect for the fact that each animator will contribute to the degree they can based on the resources and time available to them.

 

The following responsibilities should be read, ‘In the best case scenario, the animators will…’

 

Phase I: April to January 2009

 

  1. Facilitate three ‘kitchen table’ meetings between May and October 2009. The goal of these meetings are to:

    1. Engage people from the food movement in a discussion about policy issues, facilitators and barriers to public engagement in policy work.

    2. Generate informal federal policy proposals, or visions of a food system that we want and the policies that would support this.

    3. Identify leadership and new leadership potential

These meetings can be a stand-alone meeting, or an agenda item at another meeting, for example at provincial food network meetings, World Food Day events, conferences, etc.

  1. Gather a list of prioritized policy suggestions from ‘kitchen table meetings’ and submit these to Amanda Sheedy by November 1st, 2009.

  2. Suggest one or two people from your province / territory to act as animators for the PFPP by November 1st, 2009. These people should:

      • Demonstrate leadership in the food movement, or potential leadership

      • Work in a region other than yours (ideally) in the hopes of expanding the geographic reach of the project.

      • Be committed to working collaboratively on the goals of the PFPP.

 

The following are optional responsibilities:

 

  1. Some animators will attend the Policy Retreat (location and dates to be determined). While partial to full subsidies are available for some animators, we would appreciate your help in securing funding to get you to the retreat. If you are not available to attend the retreat, please send someone in your place, like the new animator you identified (who may not otherwise be invited to the retreat). The goals of the Policy Retreat are:

      • To work and rework the draft of the People’s Food Policy until we have something workable that represents our vision of the food system we want (2 days)

      • To attend deliberative dialogue training (1 day) to facilitate our process for Phase II of the PFPP.

  2. Review the draft policy platform / proposal generated at this retreat in order to finalize this document (November 2009).

 

Phase II: February – December 2010

 

The remaining responsibilities will be discussed and clarified at the Policy Retreat in accordance the action plan we agree to. The general idea, however, is to:

 

  1. Organize two meetings / events (between January and September 2010) in order to:

      • Generate public dialogue and deliberation about the draft People’s Food Policy and food sovereignty principles;

      • Broaden support beyond the food movement to include people engaged in other parts of the food system (farmers, eaters, labourers, aboriginal peoples, etc.)

      • Elaborate the draft policy proposals to reflect the values and priorities of these actors.

  2. Funnel information from these deliberative events to the coordinator and contribute to the development of a final People’s Food Policy platform.

  3. Assist in planning the launch of the People’s Food Policy at the November 2010 Assembly of Food Secure Canada, proposed for Montreal or Quebec City.

 

Phase III: January 2011…

 

  1. Continue to mobilize citizens in your region towards policy change that reflects the 6 pillars of food sovereignty. Overall Responsibilities:

 

  1. Read the documents provided (ex: the Tool Kit on Food Sovereignty that is currently being produced) to ensure familiarity with the concepts of Food Sovereignty and thinking about how these are reflected in a Canadian context.

  2. Engage 18 people in food meetings over the next 3 years (including the two people identified as new animators, see #3). This is a major piece of our mobilization objectives and also our obligations to Heifer Canada, whose philosophy is to ‘pass on the gift’. Heifer’s funding has traditionally gone towards the acquisition of livestock for people living in poverty, who are asked to pass-on-the-gift, in this case the offspring of the animal to someone else in need. With the PFPP, the idea is to create a domino effect of ideas (spreading the analysis of food sovereignty) and mobilization towards policy change in our food system.

  3. Gather and submit necessary data for funder (to be elaborated in the Tool Kit), for example: a list of people who attend your meetings.

  4. Record the proceedings of the meetings / events that you hold for the project. This may be as simple as taking minutes, or as creative as recording the event on digital video and uploading the video to You Tube. We are particularly interested in gathering stories from across the country.

  5. Arrange to host Amanda when she travels to visit you.

 

Optional:

  1. Mobilize citizens in your region for policy change through activities such as raising awareness about the PFPP, talking about food sovereignty, developing relationships with political leaders, etc. Again, this is not meant to be an additional burden on you, but rather to build on the work that you are already doing (ex: if you currently have a good relationship with your local MP, then you could introduce her/him to the concept of food sovereignty and the PFPP the next time you speak with them about your own local priorities OR, if you do a lot of volunteer training in your organization, perhaps you could run a food sovereignty workshop with them and provide a place to reflect on how your organization does or could practice food sovereignty, for example, at a board retreat).

  2. Where appropriate, seek financial support for your regional / provincial work on the People’s Food Policy Project (ex: adding the project to funding proposals in order to obtain salary, travel expenses, event funding, etc.). We can offer you support for fundraising, so please speak to Amanda.

  3. Attend national conference calls that will be taking place by teleconference. (Nothing but a phone line required!)

  4. If time allows, visit new animators to support their work.

  5. Contribute to the development of documents (such as the tool kit).

 

Other opportunities

 

The following are a list of ‘other opportunities’ to contribute to national events that are related to, but do not fall under your obligations to the PFPP:

 

  • Participate in organizing the “Fall Campaign” events in November 2009 and 2010 if they are in your region. Formerly the ‘Spring Events’, the Fall Campaign is the collaborative project of the Working Group on Canadian Science and Technology Policy. This year the theme is Food Sovereignty, and may provide an opportunity for you to advance your own work or that of the PFPP. The campaign is a 3 pronged approach to moving policy:

    • Generate public dialogue through a cross-Canada speaker tour. Three different caravans of International and Canadian speakers will tour between 6 and 9 cities before arriving in Ottawa for a final event.

    • Generate dialogue on food issues amongst high-level bureaucrats by hosting a policy seminar / round table to which Associate Deputy Ministers and others are invited.

    • Generate dialogue on food issues amongst politicians by making a presentation at a parliamentary committee.

  • Please post your local / regional events on the FSC list-serve. Eventually, we will have a calendar on the website where these events will be posted.

  • Participate in mobilizing and educating citizens about agriculture and trade issues, particularly around the G8 meetings that will be happening in Ontario in 2010.

 

Advisory Team (A-Team)

 

The advisory team (A-Team) is currently in a state of flux and redefinition. The role of the A-Team is to make overarching decisions regarding directions, priorities, strategies and the PFPP’s relationship to regional, national and international movements. Responsibilities include deciding on: methodology and strategy for the project; timeline; policy creation; communications; and maintaining overarching vision of the PFPP. The A-Team will take the place of the coordinating committee (CoCo), which was composed of Food Secure Canada partner organizations. Our goal is to have animators and PFPP partner organizations directing the PFPP. The A-Team will meet by conference call as needed (not more than once / month) and be solicited for input into the development of documents (i.e.: the People’s Food Policy platform) based on the expertise of the individual.

 

Management Team (M-Team)

 

The management team (MTeam) members include Cathleen Kneen (Chair of Food Secure Canada), Eric Chaurette (Inter Pares) and Moe Garahan (Director of Just Food). They will oversee the details of the PFPP, including: human resources; reporting; administration; file keeping; spending; accountability to funders. When questions related to the responsibilities of the A-Team emerge, the M-Team will refine and present proposals to A-Team.

  • There is a need to add more members to the M-Team.

 

National Coordinator

 

The PFPP coordinator, Amanda Sheedy, will maintain the project website, coordinate the development of communication and popular education tools, call meetings amongst animators as necessary, connect the dots and generally support animators in their work on the project. She will communicate relevant information between animators and the MTeam and A-Team.

 

Together, the MTeam and the coordinator will support the work of the animators in the following ways:

 

  1. Provide popular education materials, and support documents for your work on the PFPP

We are currently working on a Food Sovereignty Kit that will include:

    • Background information

    • A power point presentation on food sovereignty and the PFPP

    • Access to a variety of workshops and popular education tools on food sovereignty and food policy (both online and in print)

    • Necessary administrative tools for the project

 

  1. Develop communication mechanisms to facilitate the evolution of a Canada wide food movement

  • Provide face-to-face meeting opportunities, including the National Assembly of Food Secure Canada (2008, 2010) and the Policy Retreat (Fall 2009)

  • The coordinator will keep in touch with each of the animators and provide additional linkages, information, and encouragement by email, teleconferences, and internet tools

  • “Virtual Kitchen Tables” – electronic chat groups set up on FSC website with an assigned volunteer moderator to discuss sector-specific issues and policy implications

  • Web space where policy documents, analysis, workshops, presentation, popular education tools, etc. can be posted and shared amongst animators (with both regional and national significance). CHECK OUT THE BITS AND BITES WEBSITE for public access project, program, issue-based and policy information.

 

  1. Develop opportunities for unified work:

  • Coordinate the development of the People’s Food Policy platform

  • Develop frameworks for coordinated action based on the policy platform and emerging issues

  • Foster the development of Canada wide working groups on cross-cutting issues in order to support regional advancement

 

Role of all ‘partners’ (A-Team, Animators, M-Team, Amanda)

 

  • Develop relationships, build the movement, expand the circle of democracy

    • Bring in other networks, organizations (regional, national and international) and individuals from all walks of life

    • Letter currently being developed to facilitate this process

  • Conduct advocacy / relationship building with politicians and bureaucrats

 

Proposed teams that have yet to take shape:

  • Indigenous Team (one meeting held, group is still unofficial)

  • Policy Writing Team (or series of policy teams, as discussed above)

  • Framing / Outreach / Media Team

  • Regional / Provincial Teams (which may be necessary once more animators are on board – must be self-initiated)

 

Accountability

The following mechanisms are meant to increase transparency and accountability within the PFPP:

  • Minutes of all internal meetings (A-Team, M-Team and Animators) to be posted on the private space of the PFPP website.

  • Animators are invited and encouraged to participate in the A-Team meetings OR bring issues to these meetings through the coordinator or M-Team members.

 

Questions:

  • Issues of democracy, and how this is reflected in our structure, process and roles

    • What is our decision making process? There is currently discussion about consensus versus modified consensus (aim for consensus at all cost, but when it breaks down, resort to a 75% majority vote).

  • What is the process for bringing new people into one of the teams (Animators, A-Team, M-Team)?

  • How can a random person get involved in the PFPP?

  • What are we asking people to do?

  • Suggestions for Phase I – provide fact sheets on website to download – ask people to have mini-events / dinner parties and host a conversation based on the fact sheets

  • Connect with local / regional animators, food networks and organizations (provided on website, eventually)

People’s Food Policy Project

Timeline

April 15, 2009

 

 

 

When

What

Who

PHASE I

Spring ’09

 

 

Food sovereignty tool kit development

Amanda to coordinate

input from experts in network

Travel to meet some animators

Present project, FS and policy dev’t

Amanda

Animators to organize local events / meetings

Summer ‘09

 

Animators to host ‘kitchen table’ meetings

Animators

 

Fall ‘09

Animators to host ‘kitchen table’ meetings

Animators

DEADLINE to submit policy recommendations – November 1st

Animators

Consolidate, circulate and reflect on draft People’s Food Policy

All

Fall campaign

TBD

PHASE II

Winter ‘10

 

Policy Retreat January

Animators, new animators, MTeam, Amanda

Develop ‘workbook’ for D&D events

Amanda and MTeam

Deliberative dialogue events with cross-sectoral participants / stakeholders

Animators to lead / host / organize

Spring ‘10

Deliberative dialogue events with cross-sectoral participants / stakeholders

Animators to lead / host / organize

Summer ‘10

Consolidate policy recommendations and develop final People’s Food Policy

Amanda, MTeam and Policy Team (TBD)

PHASE III

Fall ‘10

Nov. 2010 - Launch People’s Food Policy

All

Winter ‘11

Push platform, mobilize actors, citizens

All

Spring ‘11

Push platform, mobilize actors, citizens

All