The Community Food Security Working Group had a meeting on June 10 to look over the results of a food security survey that had been delivered to stake-holders in the community.

The group included representatives from various organizations in Golden, including the Food Bank, Columbia Basin Trust, the Town of Golden, Columbia Shuswap Regional District - Area A, and Golden Area Initiatives.

A survey, which asked questions surrounding food security, was sent to stake-holders in Golden. The stake-holders were made up of people and businesses in the private sector (food producers and retailers), the public sector (education, government and healthcare agencies), and the non-profit sector.

“We received 84 surveys back, which was a 60 percent response rate, which doubled our expectations,” added Rob Miller, community economic development manager at GAI.

Surveys were due back at the GAI office at the beginning of June, so that the working group could look over the responses in preparation for a planned forum on June 20. At the meeting on June 10, the decision was made to postpone the forum.

“The forum was highly supported, but the timing wasn’t good; I think it is a timing issue, not an interest issue,” said Laura Archer, project support co-ordinator at GAI. “The survey has reinforced ideas that are important and brought forward other ideas. We have an (Official Community Plan) that supports (food security), and we have interest and we have a strategic plan. We are going to move forward with initiatives from the previous forum and the stake-holder’s survey.”

The previous forum that Archer mentioned took place in the Fall of 2007, and was hosted by the Golden Food Bank.

“It was the first time they brought the stake-holders together,” explained Miller. “We thought it was time, after two years, to formalize the linkages.”

The issue that the group is looking at, and that the survey focused on - food security - affects not only the stake-holders, but also residents of Golden.

“Part of the food security we are talking about is good food for everyone, not just for those who can afford it,” said Sherra Vorley, Golden Food Bank co-ordinator.

“It goes deeper than trying to provide emergency food security,” added Miller. “We look at where our food comes from, how it arrives here, and issues around that.”

The group is using the town of Hardwick, Vermont, which has become the model for food security, for inspiration. The town’s main business focus used to be on the granite quarry, but has switched to food security, explained Miller.

“The community is now all about food security. There have been business development ideas, and embryonic businesses,” said Miller.

When the group met to go over the results of the surveys, it was found that the issue of food security was important to those stake-holders that participated. It was also pointed out that although results showed an awareness of food security, the majority of those surveyed are involved in the food industry. The survey, therefore, does not represent a cross section of the general public, but does offer the group with insights as to what is important in food security in Golden.

“There was an overwhelming feeling that residents need support to do (food security) on their own,” said Archer. “The response was that food security is important, but is only being adequately addressed. Eighty-seven per cent wanted a food security working group to exist.”

The survey asked stake-holders many questions, including how well they thought the community was addressing food security, and whether food is affordable in the community. Of those that responded, 65 percent believed that food security is being somewhat addressed, while the responses were almost evenly split regarding food affordability.

Interest was expressed in the implementation of a farm to school initiative by 74 percent of the respondents. Approximately 72 percent thought that there should be improved awareness about food security, production and nutrition.

Going forward from the survey, the group will use the information that they have gathered to plan future initiatives. The CBT has also hired a consultant to look at the need and potential for a comprehensive strategic approach for looking at food security, explained Katherine Hamilton, CBT community liaison.