Town of Cochrane Strategic Plan – Final Report October 2014
markets, and Ontario produced foods sold at the supermarket. The Town of Cochrane can
promote consumption of local food and strengthen the local agricultural sector by supporting the
local Farmer’s Market and helping to market local foods, marketing available land on the
Cochrane website and strengthening the collaboration with NeCN.
“Purchasing local food supports economic development in many important ways including
keeping food dollars in the community which promotes the growth of agricultural and food
businesses thereby helping to create vibrant food cultures (and) a pillar of investment and growth.
Successful local food networks build on existing agri-food businesses and local food supporters in
a region… Thriving local food economies also foster relationships between consumers and the
people who produce their food. These linkages build more resilient communities both
economically and socially by strengthening our understanding of the food system and its
importance to a community’s overall health and well-being. From local producers and processors
to distributors and retailers, the local food choice supports local jobs, businesses and
investment.”91
There are two tactics associated with this project:
7.2.3.1 Build a permanent structure to shelter the
Farmer’s Market at Lake Commando.
7.2.3.2 Market local food to the local and regional
market.
Best Practices to Promote
Social Capital
Researchers studying ways to revitalize
urban life have found that successful
public places offer at least 10 reasons to
attract people. These may include
providing comfortable places to sit,
playgrounds, public art, food and
entertainment, and opportunities to
socialize. Ideally, some of these activities
will be unique to that particular location,
and are interesting enough to encourage
people to return on a regular basis.
7.2.3.1 Build a permanent structure to shelter the
Farmer’s Market at Lake Commando
A farmers’ market provides farmers with a direct
market outlet for their products and links local
farmers with community members. It provides higher
profits to the farmers and vendors through direct sales,
local job creation, and increased sales revenue. In
addition, it reduces the distance that the local food
travels to reach its consumers and food packaging.
Municipalities typically assume a supporting role in
the initiative by ensuring the regulations and infrastructure are in place for community
organizations to run successful markets.92
Farmers’ markets act as gathering places for the members of the community to socialize. They can
be an excellent mechanism to reinforce a sense of place and community identity. Research
91
Ontario. (2013). Local Food Fund Guidelines. Available at:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/local_food_guidebook.pdf
92
Deloitte for The Ontario Municipal Knowledge Network. (n.d) Best Practices in Local Food: A Guide for
Municipalities. Available at: http://www.amo.on.ca/AMOPDFs/Reports/2013/2013BestPracticesinLocalFoodAGuideforMunicipalitie.aspx
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