The problem of food security has attracted huge attention and remains one of the hottest topics today. An increase in world population and the destruction of the environment has placed the future of humankind in an uncertain position over food security (Wiebe, 14). To ensure that humanity is protected from the adverse effects of acute food shortages, there is a need to institute a workable food policy. This forms the fundamental reason for my choice of food policy in this advocacy proposal.
The policy I would wish to advocate is the food policy which was crafted in Toronto in 1991. This policy was crafted by the Toronto Food Policy Council in the same year. As one of the originators and of course the first world cities to sign onto the United Nations Health Cities movement in 1991, a lot in terms of development has been realized. Toronto Food Policy had a clear mission which aimed at a food system that avails equitable food access, environmental health, community development as well as nutrition. Its aim has therefore been to enable humanity to secure food for the future and alleviate poverty and suffering (Toronto Food Policy Council, 1).
It can be discerned that the problem of food security requires a comprehensive framework policy that can reverse the current trend of food security. After critically reviewing the contents of Toronto Food Policy, I believe it encompasses all areas that are critical for the enhancement of food security in the entire globe. This is based on its provisions that include food and hunger action, Health, agricultural land preservation and urban planning, economic development and urban agriculture and food waste recovery. In addition to the above, other areas covered by this food policy include the development of community gardens and communications, capacity building and public education.
One source that supports the policy I advocate for is “The Massachusetts Food Policy Alliance (MFPA) is an alliance of over thirty organizations that support the effectiveness of Food Policy Councils at local and state levels across the country Massachusetts Food Policy Alliance (1). This is because the Massachusetts Food Policy Alliance (MFPA) abides in the contents and provisions of the Toronto Food Policy. These include the included food and hunger action, Health, agricultural land preservation and urban planning, economic development and urban agriculture and food waste recovery.
In addition to the above, both policies take into consideration the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as one provision of food policy that has positively impacted the expansion of household grocery spending for low-income individuals or families. This policy has successfully increased the benefits of spending food at restaurants.
Whereas most sources abide in the fact that a practical and workable food policy remains the best in addressing the problems of food security, some sources insist that the ability to address the problems of food security relies on our abilities to reverse the environmental trends. The development of food policy in their opinion cannot achieve its objectives without placing environmental concerns at the centre of all these efforts.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that effective food policy can impact the abilities of governments to ensure that concerns of food security are addressed. This is because the underlying factor the food security is directly related to environmental conservation and the protection of farmlands.
Works Cited
Massachusetts Food Policy Alliance (MFPA). Building a vibrant and sustainable system for all people of the commonwealth. 2009. Web.
Toronto Food Policy Council. Food Policy. 2004. Web.
Wiebe, Keith. Land quality, agricultural productivity, and food security: biophysical processes and economic choices at local, regional, and global levels. London: Edward Elgar Publishing. 2003.