What is Food Sustainability?

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada just released an interesting article on Sustainability.  Check this out. 

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is about decision making that takes into account the economy, society and the environment in an integrated way. All Canadians have a role to play in advancing sustainable development, including all levels of government, business and industry, civil society, community groups and citizens.

In keeping with its mandate, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has a long-standing commitment to the sustainability of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This commitment is reflected in its three Strategic Outcomes, which include "An environmentally sustainable agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector." The Department's commitment to the sustainability of the sector is also reflected in the Program Activities that support its Strategic Outcomes.

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

The government's commitment to sustainable development is reflected in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (the Act), which received Royal Assent on June 26, 2008. The purpose of the Act is "to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament".
The FSDS, which was tabled on October 6, 2010, is also guided by the following principle stated in the Act:

"The Government of Canada accepts the basic principle that sustainable development is based on an ecologically efficient use of natural, social and economic resources and acknowledges the need to integrate environmental, economic and social factors in the making of decisions by government."

The FSDS, developed by Environment Canada in consultation with departments and agencies, brings together goals, targets and implementation strategies under the following four priority environmental themes:

1. Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality;
2. Maintaining Water Quality and Availability;
3. Protecting Nature; and
4. Shrinking the Environmental Footprint - Beginning with Government

The Government of Canada is looking for input from Canadians on the draft second cycle of the FSDS, covering the period 2013 to 2016. Canadians are encouraged to submit comments before June 14, 2013 on the advancement of federal sustainable development initiatives by visiting Environment Canada's website.

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The Act requires each Minister presiding over a department to prepare a Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy. AAFC has updated its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy which is tabled as part of its Report on Plans and Priorities. The DSDS describes AAFC's objectives and plans for sustainable development appropriate to its mandate. It articulates AAFC's vision and decision making process for sustainable development, and sets out the Department's contribution to the goals and targets of the FSDS, including Greening Government Operations, as well as the application of Strategic Environmental Assessments.

Greening Government Operations

Government-wide targets have been established under the leadership of Public Works and Government Services Canada, in consultation with departments, to achieve the goal of Greening Government Operations (GGO). As a large federal custodian of buildings, land, fleet and equipment, AAFC is committed to making progress against GGO targets, which are described in a supplementary table to Report on Plans and Priorities. For details on AAFC's commitments, please see the Greening Government Operations supplementary information table.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

AAFC also commits to applying Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) to help ensure that environmental considerations are integrated with economic and social factors at an early stage of policy and program decision making and to address the government's environmental goals as laid out in the FSDS. For more information on AAFC's application of the SEA, please visit AAFC's website.

AAFC's Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies

• 2011-12 AAFC Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (Supplementary to AAFC's 2012-13 Departmental Performance Report)
• 2012-13 AAFC Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (Supplementary to AAFC's 2012-13 Report on Plans and Priorities) 

Facilitating Sustainable development for a clean future

Are you developing a sustainability program with a green or clean future?

Does your program include:
1. A renewable energy focus
2. Recycling and waste management infrastructure
3. Green Building and Maintenance programs
4. Preserving and improving agricultural lands
5. Understanding and maximizing cutting edge new technologies that truly make a difference
6. Developing and Promoting a Consumer Social Responsibility program
7. Creating green jobs
8. Optimizing Carbon Trading under the Clean Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).  The Kyoto Protocol that was extended in 2012 until 2020, private investors in projects in developing countries that are Kyoto Protocol (CER) signatories can obtain Certified Emissions Reduction credits, which can be sold to companies in developed countries that fail to meet their emission targets. This mechanism would apply to any energy, infrastructure, or waste management projects when the technology implemented cuts carbon emissions.

Principles of Sustainable Foods

Here is an excellent article on identifying key principles behind developing a sustainable food program.  Are you following these best practices?

Principles of Sustainable Foods

Food is central to our lives, even if we choose to perceive its role as marginal.  It’s  vital to our growth and ability to function. The way our foods are obtained have a great impact on the collective challenges we face individually and as a whole society. Defining what makes food sustainable is a complex task that must address not only how foods are procured, but also whether will be able to produce them at the changed conditions they we may face in the future, and whether they can sustain our human health as well as principles of cultures that support the food supply.

We have defined 17 Principles of Sustainable Foods that will guide our contributions towards the development of a sustainable food system. They may also help to better understand elements of food sustainability. These are fundamental to our educational effort since everything we want to develop and demonstrate must be grounded in these principles.

The list of principles demonstrates our wholistic approach of building our organization and our projects. It covers how food is grown or raised, climate and water considerations, energy use in food production and processing,food and health connections , food economy and the links between food and culture. Seeing these issues in any lesser context would not allow us to fully appreciate or address the challenge.

Principles of Sustainable Foods

1. Food comes directly or indirectly (livestock) from a sustainable, healthy soil that gives and receives its nutrients in a cycle and over time grows its food-producing capacity rather than losing it
2. Food production is in sync with the natural environment and supports the biodiversity on which food production directly or indirectly depends
3. Food can be produced at local climate conditions and with the amount of water available in the area
4. Production of food at all parts of the supply chain strives to maximize use of sun energy and minimize use of fossil fuels
5. Food can be obtained from the wild if it is done without damaging the natural ecosystems
6. Livestock is an indispensable part of a healthy sustainable farm environment and its production is mutually beneficial to animals and the larger ecosystems of which they are a part
7. Food production supports the diversity of both plants and livestock and  also diversity within species (different breeds and varieties)
8. Food is grown or raised and processed locally, avoiding the costs and environmental impact of transportation.  Geographically, the closer it’s production is to the point of consumption, the better
9. Food is processed without industrial ingredients, complex industrial equipment and facilities that require excessive amounts of energy to build and operate
10. Food requires minimum levels of processing; the less processed it is the better
11. Processing enhances food’s nutritional qualities and/or preserves foods for off-season consumption
12. Food is best if eaten in season; if it is preserved, this should be done with minimal damage to its nutritional qualities and by using renewable energy
13. Food sustains human health; first, it must not be harmful, but even more importantly, it has to provide nutrition that will allow people to stay healthy over generations
14. All groups involved in food production; farmers, processors, workers, business people, traders, etc. can sustain their livelihoods at the level comparable to other sectors of the society 
15. Food is produced by a very diverse and large group of local farmers and food entrepreneurs; together they form a co-operating, resilient and sustainable web of food supply
16. Food needs to be tasty, cherished and celebrated when eaten
17. Food contributes to, builds and helps sustain cultures of which it is part

Strong commitment to these principles doesn't mean that ARSAN takes an idealistic approach of full and immediate adherence to them. We don’t expect that either from anyone else who may consider these principles as valid and fundamental. Building a new, sustainable way of life is a process. Making progress on the path guided by these principles is much more important than striving for instant perfection. Attempting to be strict about achieving ideals in the world that is far from perfect is unrealistic and can only lead to discouragement, burnout and abandonment. Progress on a chosen path guided by solid principles is what offers the best chance for success.

But accepting that we may not be perfect on the path towards a new, sustainable way of life doesn't mean selling out or looking for loopholes to escape the challenge. There should always be full awareness where we are missing the mark, why it may make sense to allow a concession and what can be done to make progress in the future. All tools available to people, including all modern tools such as machinery, technology and even chemicals may be used to help any progressive cause or undermine it. We believe that the problem doesn't lie with tools. Our strong commitment to ARSAN's purpose is what should give assurance that being practical rather than idealistic is the most effective approach to advance the cause

Agriculture 2020: Challenges and Opportunities

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) has posted its Agriculture 2020: Challenges and Opportunities Phase 1 Engagement Discussion Document on their website for comments. AAFC's current priorities include support for a sector that proactively manages risk, is environmentally sustainable, innovative, and maintains its' competitiveness. They are starting this dialogue to develop the next agricultural policy framework, the successor to Growing Forward, which ends on March 31, 2013.
The Canadian Agri-food sector's profitability is affected by a host of factors that affect our economy such as exchange rates and evolving consumer preferences, to issues unique to agricultural production such as weather, pests and disease.
Canadian Agri-industry is still driven by innovation through investments in research and development, adoption of new technologies and business practices, and growing new crops with increased yields, improved drought tolerance and superior nutritional attributes. Growth in this sector is attributed to value-added products such as functional foods with beneficial bioactive components, nutraceuticals, and starch-based polymers and blends for new-generation bio-plastics and products that could help reduce reliance on petroleum-based products. Maintaining market access and protecting/exploiting our proprietary knowledge base will become more important as world populations expand faster than available domestic resources can supply, especially in China and India.
Industry will need to work and participate in a leadership role.