Efficiency | Food Policy for Canada

Efficiency (stage 1) strategies involve making minor changes to existing practices to help create an environment somewhat more conducive to the desired change. The changes would generally fit within current policy making activities, and would be the fastest to implement. However, change strategists must be careful not to choose strategies at this stage that reinforce existing problems.

Click on the Goal below if you'd like to see the Efficiency stage strategies associated with it.

Goal 1 Enough

Economic development strategies (including First Nations)

Income support and security architecture, policies and programmes (including First Nations)

Minimum wage increases
Adjustments to social assistance
Tax system changes
Changes to Canada's approach to Employment Insurance (EI)
Old Age Security adjustments

Housing (including First Nations)

Self- and community-provisioning (public and private spaces and supports for non-commercial food production, hunting and fishing, access to traditional foods for First Nations)

Municipal official plan statements regarding food production and food system function
Municipal by-laws regarding food production and food system function
Municipal program supports for gardening
Improving composting and urban soil fertility programs
Urban gleaning / foraging of fruit and nut trees
Enhanced skills training
Expanding community storage, canning, kitchens, and freezers
Better supports for country foods

Pre-natal nutrition and breastfeeding promotion

Improving lactation education for health care professionals
Grants to community organizations and processes for lactation consultant access for low-income women and courses
Workplace policies
Provincial/Territorial laws

Equitable access to the food distribution system, retail and alternative food projects
Restrictions on retail size
Eliminate restrictive covenants on grocery store properties
Amend Community Benefits provisions in urban planning legislation and practice
Improve access to Public Markets
Alternative currencies at alternative markets
Support food retail co-ops and buying clubs
Improve and diversify Northern Food Access
Supports for other alternative community food projects