That the correspondence from Windsor-Essex Health Unit Board of Health dated June 12, 2025 regarding Windsor-Essex Food Strategy be received and supported;
That a letter from the Town of Essex be sent to Anthony Leardi, MPP Essex, Andrew Dowie, MPP Windsor-Tecumseh, Lisa Gretzky, MPP Windsor West, Honourable Trevor Jones, MPP Chatham Kent Leamington; and
That Council adopt the following resolution:
Whereas, ensuring all residents in our community have dignified access to sufficient, affordable, healthy, safe, and culturally appropriate food is a cost-effective form of disease prevention;
Whereas, a healthy and just food system promotes health and dignity for the entire population;
Whereas, changes in the food system require thoughtful and intentional work by all community members, organizations, institutions, businesses, and levels of government;
Whereas, multiple community partners have committed to food system work across Windsor and Essex County, but require coordinated action to continue forward;
Whereas, the Board of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has passed previous resolutions to endorse the Good Food Charter for Windsor-Essex (2014) and support the creation of a local food policy council (2017) committing to the advancement of food system work in our community; and
Whereas, 681 community members provided input into the 2019 Community Food Assessment, determining the recommendations for future local food system work.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health endorse the goals, and recommendations in the Windsor-Essex Food Strategy;
That the WECHU engage community agencies like municipalities and other stakeholders within and outside of the existing Food Policy Council to lead Food Strategy implementation; and further
That the WECHU initiate the following Food Strategy Priority Actions to structure the community’s efforts toward improving the overall food system:
1. The creation of a comprehensive food system assessment tool to determine the impacts of policies and community endeavors on the local food system.
2. Assess the availability of community spaces where people can learn food skills in neighbourhoods with limited resources.
3. Develop and/or enhance policies and procedures to support local food purchasing in publicly funded spaces.
4. Pilot evidenced informed programs that improve physical access to food in neighbourhoods with limited retail options.