Castlegar hosts food sovereignty event
By Alex Atamanenko
On the Tuesday evening after Thanksgiving, when many of us are still recovering from our turkey and trimmings, Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior and Castlegar’s St. Rita’s Parish Development and Peace Committee will be co-hosting a World Food Week related public event.
The 7p.m., Oct. 12 gathering at St. Rita’s Church Hall (513 – 7th Avenue) in Castlegar is aimed at increasing our understanding of the food we eat, and how it is produced, ties us closer to the lives of others around the world.
A variety of speakers will bring their expertise and perspective to Food Sovereignty: An Evening of Information and Film, building on excerpts to be shown from a provocative film on food production.
According to Bud Godderis of Development and Peace, “Our partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America tell us that food sovereignty includes the right of people to define their own food sources, agricultural policies and practices so as to ensure safe, healthy and ecologically sustainable production. There is something very wrong with a system that forces farmers to use their land to grow cheap food and other products for people in wealthy countries, while their own people do not have access to affordable food. ”
Atamanenko, as the federal NDP Agriculture Critic will outline highlights from his two-year cross-Canada travels that formed the basis of his report to the House of Commons – Food for Thought: Towards a Canadian Food Strategy.
“Control of our food supply in Canada is steadily being eroded because of international corporate trade agreements,” said Atamanenko. “In spite of having some of the most productive agricultural land in the world, many farmers are going out of business because they cannot compete with cheap imports. The lack of affordable land is a huge barrier for anyone wanting to get into the business.”
Jon Steinman, well-known radio host of Deconstructing Dinner, Sandi McCreight of Kootenay Food Strategy Society and Barry Nelson of Development and Peace will be joining Atamanenko and Godderis to present their research and perspectives on food sovereignty issues.
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