People who put meals on our tables came together on Thursday, with the collective goal of improving our local food supply. 140 farmers, politicians, activists, academics and agri-food business leaders came together for the Cultivating Resilient Food System Summit. The event was organized by the Middlesex-London Food Policy Council (MLFPC). “What we want to do is understand better from their point of view, what it takes to really improve resilience in the sectors, to ensure that more people are getting fed by healthy, locally sourced, resilient food,” explained Dr. Brendon Samuels, a member of the organizing committee. Improving access to fresh food for those facing hardship is only part of the summit’s mandate. Participants took time to listen to everyone, from food entrepreneurs to those planting seeds. Each had a chance to explain their role in the food supply chain. “It’s more than supporting our farmers, but befriending our farmers and understanding what their needs are as friends,” pleaded panelist Laura Ramirez, an Indigenous farmer who works 18 acres of land at Oneida Nation of the Thames. They were joined by other growers, representing everything from large acreage fields to community gardens. All found common ground on the challenges of feeding the region organically and sustainably. “As a farmer myself, supply chains are really challenging when you’re on a small scale trying to get your local food products into the city,” said Janan McNaughton, a farmer and past chair of the council. But through newfound cooperation, political leaders have confidence. “Like, with anything, there’s some silos, and I think we need to break those down and see how we can work together to have a more integrated food system that everyone can access,” commented City of London ward one coun. Hadleigh McAlister. As ideas were jotted down, Dr. Samuels was asked if thoughts could one day, translate into more food for London and the region. “We’re feeling optimistic that good change is possible when we put our heads together,” he responded.
