Relaunching Food and the City: A Policy Vision for Kamloops in 2024

The Kamloops Food Policy Council (KFPC) is thrilled to announce the relaunch of Food and the City, a citizen-led policy research initiative aimed at addressing key community concerns regarding food security in Kamloops. This project was originally introduced in 2022 before the municipal election, and resulted in the creation of seven co-created, impactful policy recommendations, which focus on helping shape food and sustainability dialogues within Kamloops. Now, as we approach 2024, and a provincial election, we’re diving back into these important conversations with a renewed focus.

In this year’s Food and the City project, our network has investigated critical issues that intersect with food security, including land use management, experiences of vulnerable populations, community engagement, and affordable housing. Exploring these topics further is a critical step toward ensuring that our communities can sustain themselves.

On Monday, July 15th, the community met for the first 2024 Food and the City planning discussion over Zoom and sub committees were formed. We would like to acknowledge the Loran Scholars Foundation for providing an Educational Work Placement Support grant that enabled us to hire a Food Policy Intern to facilitate the process, and a big thank you to Graeme Hanks for the amazing work he did in this role! 

Throughout the summer, we engaged in deep discussions on how planning and policies impact food security in Kamloops. We have been engaging our community through discussions, forums and surveys to ensure that Kamloops residents have a voice in shaping the future of food policy in their city and province.

The challenges facing Kamloops are not isolated. From vulnerable populations lacking access to nutritious food to the pressing need for affordable housing, these issues intersect in complex ways. Food and the City 2024 aims to bring these connections to light and advocate for policies that ensure a just and resilient future for all.

As the provincial election nears, we look forward to presenting research-backed, community-driven recommendations that reflect the needs and hopes of our citizens. Stay tuned on our socials, website, and  newsletter for updates and opportunities to get involved as we work towards a sustainable, inclusive, and food secure Kamloops and B.C.

Let’s shape the future together. Food is community. Help us build both in our communities!