Report recommends new Taste of Haliburton brand
By Chad Ingram
A
report stemming from a food forum hosted by Harvest Haliburton that
took place in Minden earlier this year makes a number of recommendations
for establishing a sustainable food system in Haliburton County.
report stemming from a food forum hosted by Harvest Haliburton that
took place in Minden earlier this year makes a number of recommendations
for establishing a sustainable food system in Haliburton County.
A
host of stakeholders – from municipal councillors and staff to farmers
to restaurant owners to tourism promoters to environmentalists –
gathered in the Minden Hills Community Centre to take part in the
well-attended forum in March. The day included presentations, as well as
interactive discussions and brainstorming activities.
host of stakeholders – from municipal councillors and staff to farmers
to restaurant owners to tourism promoters to environmentalists –
gathered in the Minden Hills Community Centre to take part in the
well-attended forum in March. The day included presentations, as well as
interactive discussions and brainstorming activities.
A
report based on the day and compiled by consultant Melissa Johnston was
recently released and makes six main recommendations. The first is to
create a Taste of Haliburton brand that markets local food to both
residents and visitors. The second is the establishment of an online
information hub that allows people to search for and locate locally
produced foods. Another recommendation is to review policies and
regulations, including municipal bylaws, that may hinder local food
production, and another is to explore the feasibility of a local food
distribution model. Creating an agricultural economic development
committee for the County of Haliburton is the report’s fifth
recommendation, and the sixth to put climate change and food security at
the forefront of all food-related initiatives.
report based on the day and compiled by consultant Melissa Johnston was
recently released and makes six main recommendations. The first is to
create a Taste of Haliburton brand that markets local food to both
residents and visitors. The second is the establishment of an online
information hub that allows people to search for and locate locally
produced foods. Another recommendation is to review policies and
regulations, including municipal bylaws, that may hinder local food
production, and another is to explore the feasibility of a local food
distribution model. Creating an agricultural economic development
committee for the County of Haliburton is the report’s fifth
recommendation, and the sixth to put climate change and food security at
the forefront of all food-related initiatives.
“Food
is central to our lives, and for Haliburton County, it is equally
critical to seize on opportunities with its own local food system,”
Johnston said in a release from Harvest Haliburton. “The economic
development opportunities are abundant.”
is central to our lives, and for Haliburton County, it is equally
critical to seize on opportunities with its own local food system,”
Johnston said in a release from Harvest Haliburton. “The economic
development opportunities are abundant.”
That Haliburton County is already a tourist destination should aid the creation of a sustainable food system.
“Let’s
capitalize on this area being a tourist destination and make a Taste of
Haliburton central to the experience given to visitors,” Johnston said.
“It’s really a no-brainer.”
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge
District Health Unit points out there are numerous benefits to consuming
locally produced food.
capitalize on this area being a tourist destination and make a Taste of
Haliburton central to the experience given to visitors,” Johnston said.
“It’s really a no-brainer.”
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge
District Health Unit points out there are numerous benefits to consuming
locally produced food.
“Eating
local benefits all of us, is good for our community and is great for
the environment and local economy,” Elsie Azevedo Perry, a public health
nutritionist with the health unit, said in the release. “In general,
local food tends to be fresher, more flavourful and full of nutrients,
and does not need to travel great distances to get here.”
local benefits all of us, is good for our community and is great for
the environment and local economy,” Elsie Azevedo Perry, a public health
nutritionist with the health unit, said in the release. “In general,
local food tends to be fresher, more flavourful and full of nutrients,
and does not need to travel great distances to get here.”
Harvest
Haliburton plans to present the report to municipal councils this fall,
as well as host a roundtable discussion with stakeholders in order to
develop action plans on each of the recommendations.
Haliburton plans to present the report to municipal councils this fall,
as well as host a roundtable discussion with stakeholders in order to
develop action plans on each of the recommendations.
The full report can be found on the Harvest Haliburton website at www.harvesthaliburton.com.
