Food Charter
We believe every Medicine Hat resident has a right to access an adequate supply of nutritious affordable and culturally appropriate food. Food contributes to the health and well-being of residents while preventing disease and reducing their need for medical care. Food is central to Medicine Hat’s economy. Food brings people together in celebrations of community and diversity and is an important part of our city’s culture.
About the Food Charter
A sustainable food system is key to the well-being of a community: it impacts the economy, employment, culture and livelihood of its citizens.
Regular access to healthy, personally acceptable food for everyone is essential for health and disease prevention, optimal growth and development of children.
Sustainable food systems are a shared responsibility between a community and its citizens that are mutually supportive of each other.
The Food Charter is a VISION for building:
Healthier People
*Better business due to healthy employees
*Students perform better in school
*Reduced child hunger
*Reduced obesity and chronic disease
Sustainable Communities
*Increased community economic development
*Sustainable food systems
*Sustainable environment
*Reduced poverty and stress
Signatories
The following organizations and governing bodies have signed on to the Food Charter:
* Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council
* LEARN Board
* Redcliff Action Society for Youth
* Medicine Hat Early Childhood Coalition
* Be Fit For Life
* Miywasin Centre
* Health Connections Association of South Eastern Alberta
* Community Food Connections Association
* Being Human Services
* Moving & Choosing Collaborative
* Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society
* REDI Enterprises Society
* Medicine Hat John Howard Society
* The Salvation Army
* Canadian Red Cross
* Medicine Hat & District Child Care Association
* Medicine Hat Catholic Regional School Division
* Medicine Hat School District No.76
* McMan
* Medicine Hat Community Housing Society
* Redcliff Family & Community Support Services
* Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta
* City of Medicine Hat
See the Food Charter
View the attachment to take a look at the Food Charter
Food Charter Evaluation 2014
In the spring of 2014, the Food Charter Committee of the Community Food Connections Association (CFCA) undertook an evaluation of the Food Charter initiative to identify what changes, if any, may have occurred related to building a food secure community following their 2013 promotion of the Food Charter.
Click here to view the Food Charter Evaluation Executive Summary.