Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

On Monday night, I will bring a motion to Council on behalf of the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee. Here's a copy of the report to Council, recommending roof top gardens for urban farming. Have a look!

Background

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
November 15, 2011

Murdock wants Saanich’s green roofs for urban farming

Victoria – Saanich Councillor Dean Murdock thinks one of the best places to grow crops in Saanich could be up on the roof.

Murdock wants to see Saanich Council introduce rooftop gardens as a suggested amenity for large-scale developments in major centre development permit guidelines.

“We can turn acres of asphalt into green space and vegetable gardens,” he said. “Green roofs allow urban residents to grow their own food, and help reduce our carbon footprint.”

We asked the Saanich mayor and council candidates to provide their thoughts and strategies on food security.

Dean Murdock, council candidate:

Saanich Council has taken another step toward supporting local farms, increasing our food security, and making local food more accessible.

Councillors unanimously voted to create a Local Food Procurement Policy. This will give preference to local food producers when purchasing food for municipal events and food services. So, instead of buying tomatoes or cherries that travel all the way from California or Mexico, we’ll get them from Saanich or Vancouver Island farmers.

Saanich council passes local food motion
Colleen Kimmett, The Tyee

Saanich district council unanimously passed a motion last night to adopt a local food procurement policy.

Councillor Dean Murdock introduced the motion. He told The Tyee the policy would make locally-produced food a priority at district events and within its food services. It would apply to vendors at public festivals, for example, as well as catering at internal meetings. It would also apply to the cafe at the district's recreation centre, said Murdock.

Saanich council supports local food policy
CFAX 1070

Saanich Council passed a motion Monday night to support local food producers.

Councillor Dean Murdock says the recommendation from the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee to develop a local food procurement policy was supported unanimously.

Saanich first in region to go 'local' on food
Kim Westad, Times Colonist

Saanich is set to become the first municipality in the region to focus on local food for its events, moving toward having the same for all its food services.

Coun. Dean Murdock, chairman of the Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee, said he's not aware of any other municipalities with such a local food procurement policy, although the University of Victoria does.

"With a population of about 20,000 students, that means they serve an awful lot of local food," Murdock said.

The food grown in your and your neighbours' backyards could soon be for sale at a festival or rec centre near you.
Saanich looks to use municipality's purchasing power to help local food producers
Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

The Healthy Saanich Advisory Committee is looking to create a food procurement policy that will give priority to local producers when catering is needed for municipal services or events.