Victoria will up the funding for a group that advises on urban agriculture in the city after a healthy debate at council Thursday (May 15).
The city will bump the Urban Food Table’s annual grant from $6,000 to $7,400 after the group asked for the funding boost, greater recognition of its work, a regular presence from council and two formal reporting opportunities per year.
The Urban Food Table, which started in 2015, endeavours to bring together farmers, non-profits, public health authorities, businesses, youth, seniors, and other community members to advise the city on food system and pollinator policies.
Coun. Matt Dell’s motion to add the line: “Direct staff to ensure the Urban Food Table is consulted on all policy and program issues related to food production and agriculture in the city” proved a point of contention that spurred further conversation about the group’s status as an independent committee.
He noted the group of “incredibly passionate people” who care about food security are spending time going to meetings and events. “I think we want to acknowledge that effort.”
While they likely already consult on policy, the wording formalizes what’s likely happening already.
“Urban food needs to be a huge issue in the City of Victoria. We need to be growing food here,” Dell said.
He cited the climate crisis and need to promote more food production provincewide, noting this is a “passionate group of people who do that on a tiny budget.”
Coun. Krista Loughton, who seconded the motion, noted the direction as an advisory body is the correct course.
“My only concern there is the structure around when councillors are expected to attend. We may need to formalize that a bit more,” she said.
Couns. Marg Gardiner and Stephen Hammond didn’t support the motion.
Hammond suggested it’s a “policy on the fly” with the added line.
Gardiner, who earlier asked a series of questions on how other groups in the city are supported, said it set the group up too much like a standing committee. “We should be choosing the people who are on that committee as we do with other committees,” she said, adding it may be a broader question, beyond the council table.
Aside from the annual grant, the city provides meeting space and a staff liaison in the range of four to six hours a month to support meetings and functions.
The Urban Food Table welcomes new members and meets in a hybrid format the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Visit https://www.victoriaurbanfoodtable.com/ for details.
