What does the right to food mean to you?
In September 2022, we held a food justice art exhibit called Realised,
Re-imagined, exploring the possibilities of a future in which the right to food is realised for everyone.
The exhibit brings together the work of four Toronto area visual artists to present commissioned artworks that explore themes including place-making, community building, capitalist food systems, and land sovereignty. The works are presented in conjunction with audio interviews by food growers, community organisers, and others working toward food justice in the city.
We’re thrilled to now launch the virtual gallery, and request your input in the Respond section to learn what the right to food means to you.
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
In 1976, Canada signed the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, accepting a legal responsibility to respect, protect and fulfill the right to food. Then, in 2001, Toronto City Council unanimously adopted the Toronto Food Charter. The charter highlights the City’s commitments to food security and recognizes that everyone in Toronto should have barrier free access to nutritious, affordable and culturally-appropriate food through whatever means they choose.
Despite these federal and municipal commitments, food insecurity is a growing concern in our city. In a Toronto where the right to food is respected, everyone should be able to make dignified choices about what they eat. This campaign is calling on the City of Toronto to realize our right to food, with the first step of developing a new food charter that is written by the folks most impacted by food insecurity and those working to defend the food rights of their own communities.
Right to food work is not new in our city – a focus of our campaign is to amplify grassroots organizations who’ve been leading this work for decades and are best equipped to identify what the right to food looks like in Toronto, and for their communities.
Read and sign the full petition here.
Find a one-pager summarizing the campaign here – and share with your network!
TIMELINE
Campaign Launch (Oct 2021)
FoodShare partnered with Hxouse on the launch of the Right to Food campaign
- Read and share the receipts about the state of food insecurity in our city
- Learn about some of the organizations working toward food security and sovereignty in their communities
Town Hall (Oct 2021)
FoodShare hosted an event featuring community leaders from Afri-Can FoodBasket, Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin, St. James Town Community Co-Op and Uplift Kitchen.
- Watch the recording to learn more about what communities across the city are demanding from the city when it comes to the right to food
Motion to Update Charter (Mar 2022)
On March 24th 2022, Councilor Joe Cressy brought forward a motion to update the Toronto Food Charter to the Economic and Community Development Committee. The motion passed at the committee and was put forward to City Council.
Digital Day of Action (Mar 2022)
On March 30th 2022, FoodShare hosted a Digital Day of Action in collaboration with Dietitians for Food Justice and Birchmount Community Action Council. Over 7,600 emails were sent to city councillors, the mayor and the secretariat in advance of the April 6th council meeting.
City Council Motion Passed (Apr 2022)
One week after our Digital Day of Action on April 7th 2022, the motion to update the food charter was approved by the Toronto City Council.
- Read the full motion
Realised, Re-imagined: food justice art exhibit (September 2022)
In September 2022, we held a food justice art exhibit called Realised,
Re-imagined, exploring the possibilities of a future in which the right to food is realised for everyone.
What’s Next?
We are working with City staff on the Food Charter consultation process. Watch this space for opportunities to engage in the campaign!