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Welcome to the B.C. Food System Policy Database

This database is a centralized resource for planners, policy makers, community advocates, local organizations and the policy curious to search for policy precedents and to better understand how local government policy in B.C. is addressing local food systems. Search by a range of characteristics to find food system policies that have been adopted by local governments across B.C. For more information about using the database and how it was developed see How to use the Database. 

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Institute for Sustainable Food Systems

Displaying 1 - 10 of 213 Results

Topic: Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management

Sub-topics: community food system education, composting, farmers' markets, food processing, local food culture, local procurement, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, research and data collection, soil, zoning

Region: Thompson-Nicola | Document Type: Food Strategy | Year: 2015

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Topic

Subtopic

Policy or Policy Excerpt

Document Location

food production;

urban agriculture;

 

Utilize existing land and infrastructure for sustainable urban food production

5.1.1

food production;

urban agriculture;

zoning;

Review zoning and other regulations to support urban and local agriculture

5.1.2

food sales, access and procurement

 

Support increased accessibility of local food production

5.1.3

processing, storage & distribution; food sales, access and procurement;

food processing;

Support commercial and community-based food processing facilities

5.2.1

food sales, access and procurement;

local procurement;

Review regulations and policies to support local purchasing

5.3.1

economic development;

 

Expand networks to support the economic sustainability of the food system

5.3.2

food sales, access and procurement

farmers’ markets;

Promote farmers' markets and business models that provide fresh foods and support local producers

5.3.3

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health

 

Increase access to healthy, local food for food-insecure populations

5.3.5

education

local food culture;

Celebrate our agricultural heritage

5.4.1

education

local food culture;

 

Promote the local food system through place-making efforts

5.4.3

water management;

 

Pursue innovations in water usage

5.5.1

waste management;

composting;

Reduce and recycle food waste and build healthy soils

5.5.2

education;

community food systems education;

Promote and facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development

5.6.1

education;

community food systems education;

Utilize existing resources for food system education

5.6.2

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

Partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

Utilize partnerships to build capacity for food system health and sustainability

5.6.3

education;

community food systems education;

Promote food system education for specific population groups

5.6.4

education;

research and data collection;

Encourage food systems research

5.6.5

Topic: Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land

Sub-topics: farm home plate, protection of farming development permit area, residential development

Region: Fraser Valley | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2017

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Development Permit Area 9 – Farm Home Plate is comprised of all valley floor farmland within the City of Chilliwack. DPA 9 was established to provide flexibility to the Farm Home Plate area and siting requirements to  accommodate better farm operations and unique site characteristics while using as little farm land area as possible. 

See attached document for zoning and siting requirements for Farm Home Plates.

Topic: Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land

Sub-topics: ALR, deposit of fill and dumping, soil

Region: | Document Type: Policy | Year: 2017

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ALC regulation and guidelines for non-farm use applications for fill placement in the ALR related to soil bound agriculture.

Topic: Food Production, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topics: livestock, urban chickens

Region: Powell River | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: consolidated 2012

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location

urban agriculture;

 

 livestock; A person may keep any animal in the City, other than dogs, cats, rabbits or poultry: a) on an A1 and A2 zoned parcel under City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006, when a minimum 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of land is provided for each animal; b) on a RA1 zoned parcel under City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006, when a minimum 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres) of land is provided for each animal; and c) on a RA1, A1 or A2 zoned parcel under City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006, an additional animal may be kept for each additional 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres) of land.5 

29

urban agriculture;

food production;

livestock;

urban chickens;

 A person may keep in the City: a) up to 12 poultry, none of which may be a rooster, or 20 rabbits on a RA1 zoned parcel under City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006, where the lot area is less than 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres); b) up to 24 poultry, one of which may be a rooster, or 50 rabbits, on a RA1, A1 or A2 zoned parcel under City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006; and c) up to three poultry, none of which may be a rooster, on a R1, R2 and R3 zoned parcel under City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006.6  30

urban agriculture;

food production;

livestock;

urban chickens;

 A person keeping poultry and rabbits pursuant to section 30 shall keep the poultry and rabbits in appropriate enclosures that: a) provide adequate weather protection; b) prevent the poultry and rabbits from wandering into neighbouring properties; c) provide protection from natural predators; d) are located within the rear yard of the property; and e) are not less than 0.9 metres from a property line. 31

 

Topic: Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Nutrition and Public Health, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topics: ALR, aquaculture, climate change and greenhouse gases, community food system education, emergency preparedness, food distribution, food processing, food recovery/gleaning/donation, food storage, local food culture, local procurement, new entrants to farming, urban farm, wildlife and ecosystem management

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Food Strategy | Year: 2011

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Topic

 Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating 
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;		 ALR; Protect agricultural land for
food production		 1.1  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; aquaculture;
wildlife and ecosystem management;		 Restore fish habitat and
protect sustainable sources of seafood		 1.2  
food production;
development and productive use of agricultural land;		   Enable expansion of agricultural production 1.3  
food production; new entrans to farming; Invest in a new generation of food producers 1.4  
food production;
urban agriculture;		 urban farm; Expand commercial food production in urban areas 1.5  
food processing, storage and distribution;
economic development;		 food processing;
food storage;
food distribution;		 Increase the capacity to process, warehouse and distribute local foods 2.1  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

 local procurement; Include local foods in the purchasing policies of large public institutions 2.2  

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;

   Increase direct marketing opportunities for local foods 2.3  
economic development;   Further develop value chains within the food sector 2.4  
policy partnerships, advocacy and development;   Review government policies and programs to ensure they enable the expansion of the local food sector 2.5  
nutrition and public health;   Enable residents to make healthy food choices 3.1  
education; community food systems education; Communicate how food choices support sustainability 3.2  
education; community food systems education; Enhance food literacy and skills in schools 3.3  
education; local food culture; Celebrate the taste of local foods and the diversity of cuisines 3.4  
food sales, access and procurement;
nutrition and public health;		 community food systems education; Improve access to nutritious food among vulnerable groups 4.1  
food production;
urban agriculture;		   Encourage urban agriculture 4.2  
food sales, access and procurement;
waste management;		 food recovery/gleaning/donation; Enable non-profit organizations to recover nutritious food 4.3  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Protect and Enhance Ecosystem Goods and Services 5.1  
waste management;   Reduce waste in the food system 5.2  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; wildlife and ecosystem management; Facilitate adoption of environmentally sustainable practices 5.3  
  climate change and greenhouse gases; emergency preparedness; Prepare for the impacts of climate change 5.4  

 

Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan adopted in 2016, outlines the actions that actions that local governments are planning to undertake in the next 3-5 years to advance implementation of the Regional Food System Strategy.

Download Metro Vancouver's Regional Food System Action Plan. 

See Metro Vancouver's website for more details.

 

Topic: Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban Agriculture

Sub-topics: farmers' markets, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, urban gardens/orchard

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2011

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

food production;

urban agriculture;

food sales, access and procurement;

urban gardens/orchard;

farmers' markets;

 Encourage sustainable, local food systems through initiatives such as promotion of healthy, local foods and food production, and the facilitation of community gardens, farmers markets, urban agriculture initiatives in appropriate locations.  pg 55 *

food production;

urban agriculture;

 urban gardens/orchard; Integrate opportunities for urban agriculture in planning Town and Village centres.  pg 55  

food access, sales and procurement;

policy partnerships, advocacy and development;

 partnerships/advocacy/liaising; Collaborate with Vancouver Coastal Health and other community partners in their efforts to provide increased access for all members of the community to safe, nutritious food pg 55  

 

Topic: Food Sales, Access & Procurement

Sub-topics: mobile/street food vending

Region: Metro Vancouver | Document Type: Regulatory Bylaw | Year: 2016

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A bylaw regarding the licensing and regulation of food trucks.

Topic: Food Production, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management, Wildlife/Environmental/Pest Management

Sub-topics: composting, urban gardens/orchard, pesticide and pest management, irrigation and drainage, water restrictions and conservation

Region: Skeena-Queen Charlotte | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: 2013

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Topic Sub topic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating

food production;

urban agriculture;

 urban gardens/orchard; Accommodate food production and shared gardening ventures such as cooperatives, village community gardens, and neighbourhood gardens in appropriate areas and in areas designated Resource Areas on Schedule B. 13.1  
water management;

irrigation and drainage;

water restrictions and conservation;

 Ensure that water used for large scale commercial agricultural purposes is from a source other than the Village domestic water supply. 13.3  
waste management; composting; Encourage development of a community green waste and compost facility. 13.4  
wildlife/environmental/pest management; pesticide and pest management; Support the control of invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed which was introduced to the islands in the 1950’s and is becoming a serious problem in  many jurisdictions, through limited and careful chemical treatment as mechanical treatment is not effective for some species. 13.7  

 

Topic: Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning

Sub-topics: zoning, residential development, siting and coverage

Region: | Document Type: Guideline | Year: 2015

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Bylaw standards created to promote consistency among local governments in their treatment of farming activities and to minimize conflict around agricultural uses. They are intended to guide the development of local government bylaws in farming areas.

Topic: Development and Productive use of Agricultural Land, Economic Development, Education, Food Processing, Storage & Distribution, Food Production, Food Sales, Access & Procurement, Policy Partnerships, Advocacy & Development, Urban - Agriculture Conflict & Edge Planning, Urban Agriculture, Waste Management, Water Management

Sub-topics: ALR, ALR exclusion, aquaculture, beekeeping/apiculture, buffer at agricultural edge, commercial development, community kitchen, composting, edible landscaping, farmers' markets, food policy council, food processing, food recovery/gleaning/donation, food storage, grocery stores, institutional development, local food culture, local procurement, nuisance complaints, partnerships/advocacy/liaising, pilot project, residential development, tax mechanisms, urban gardens/orchard, zoning

Region: Peace River | Document Type: Official Community Plan | Year: revised 2010

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Topic Subtopic Policy or Policy Excerpt Document Location Language Rating
development & productive use of agricultural land; ALR; Encourage and support agricultural uses on ALR lands within and adjacent to the City boundary. 3.16.2  
development & productive use of agricultural land; ALR;
AlR exclusion;		 Discourage unnecessary extension of urban areas into agricultural lands by discouraging ALR exclusion applications. 3.16.3 *
development & productive use of agricultural land;
policy partnerships, advocacy & development;		 ALR:
residential development;
institutional development;
commercial development;
partnerships, advocacy/liaising;		 Collaborate with the ALC to ensure development of ALR land designated for future residential, commercial, and industrial uses occurs in an incremental, orderly manner. 3.17.1  
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;   Ensure agriculture is integrated with development at the City’s edge such that they are mutually-beneficial. Integration considerations include land uses, design strategies, and programs to increase the visibility and experience of urban and regional food systems for residents. 3.17.2  
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning;
policy partnerships, advocacy & development;		 buffer at agricultural edge;
nuisance complaints;
ALR;
partnerships, advocacy/liaising;		 Collaborate with the ALC to ensure that the interface between urban and farm areas does not result in excessive trespass or complaints. Urban/rural interface design policies might include, but are not limited to, transitional densities, fencing, residential building setbacks, and vegetative buffering. 3.17.3 *
urban agriculture; edible landscaping;  Encourage planting of edible plant species in lieu of
landscaping in private developments, parks, utility corridors, and local
right-of-ways where appropriate, or require a portion of all
landscaping to include edible plant species. 		 9.1.1 *
urban-agriculture conflict & edge planning; buffer at agricultural edge;
urban gardens/orchard;		 Count food production elements, including but limited to:
allotment gardens, community gardens, green walls (i.e. vertical
landscaping), and green roofs toward or in lieu of landscaping or
screening requirements. 		 9.1.2 *
food production;
urban agriculture;		 zoning;
urban gardens/orchard;
aquaculture;
beekeeping/apiculture;		 Permit community gardens, apiculture, and aquaculture
uses in all land uses. 		 9.1.3 *
food production;
urban agriculture;		 urban gardens/orchard; Permit temporary or permanent use of City-owned
vacant lots for community gardens. 		 9.1.4 *
water management; urban gardens/orchard;  Provide water hook-up and secure supply storage area
for community gardening groups on public land. 		 9.1.5 *
food production;
urban agriculture;		 pilot project;
edible landscaping;		   Investigate the feasibility of piloting an edible green roof
project on a municipal building. 		 9.1.6  
food processing storage & distribution; food storage; Provide space in community centres for drop-off and storage of food for Community Supported Agriculture initiatives. 9.2.1 *
food sales, access and procurement; farmers' markets; Support and promote the existing Farmer’s Market, and work toward securing a long-term location for it. 9.2.2 *
food processing storage & distribution; food processing; Provide site selection support for food processors considering locating in the community. 9.3.1 *
food processing storage & distribution;
food sales, access and procurement;		 zoning;
food processing;
community kitchen;		 Encourage small-scale community kitchens, food processing facilities, and outdoor community ovens through permissive zoning. 9.3.2 *
food sales, access and procurement; grocery stores; Encourage the establishment of neighbourhood-scale food vendors, including grocery stores and eating establishments. 9.4.1  
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement;
food recovery/gleaning/donation;		 Support links between Dawson Creek’s food emergency organization and local producers. 9.4.3  
food sales, access and procurement; tax mechanisms; Provide incentives such as partial tax exemptions to emergency food organizations to increase their viability and efficacy. 9.4.5 *
  local food culture; Support food fairs and other food-related public events in community facilities, parks, and right-of-ways (e.g. car-free street fairs, as per the Dawson Creek Temporary Road Closure and Event Manual.) 9.5.1  
economic development; local food culture; Continue ongoing support of the “Branding of the Peace” marketing strategy to promote the region and its agricultural products. 9.6.1  
waste management; composting;
residential development;
commercial development;
institutional development;		 Provide multi-season compost facilities in all multi-family developments, and in all commercial, institutional, and industrial developments where food is consumed. 9.7.1 *
waste management;
education;		 composting; Develop a public education and awareness campaign on the importance and benefits of composting. Campaigns should use plain, accessible language. 9.7.2 *
policy partnerships, advocacy & development; food policy council; Where possible, work with the community to develop a Food Policy Council made up of local experts and members of the community, which will advise Council on matters dealing with the local food system. 9.8.1 *
food sales, access and procurement; local procurement; Where possible, develop and adopt a food procurement policy, which requires that all of the City’s facilities and services involving food include organic, local, healthy, and fair-trade options. 9.8.2  

urban agriculture;

food production;

 urban gardens/orchard;

Community gardens shall be a permitted use in Neighbourhood Parks if organized by a local or neighbourhood society or adjacent institution (school, seniors centre, etc.) and as approved by the City Parks & Recreation Department. If desired by residents, dedicated space for growing food shall be permanent, viable, and determined as follows:

Table 3.

Density (dwelling units/acre)

Dedicated Growing Space m2 (sq ft.)
7 to 14 18 (200sqft.)
> 14 and ≤ 22 9 (100sqft.)
> 22 and ≤ 28 7.5 (80sqft.)
> 28 and ≤ 35 6.5 (70sqft.)
> 35 ) 5.5 (60sqft.
or approx. 3m2 or 40sqft. for each person interested in growing

Appendix 2: Harvest View – Sunset Ridge Neighbourhood Plan

6.10

 *