This is one of many messages being used to advertise the upcoming 3rd Annual Food Security Forum being held from 2-6pm on Wednesday, November 22 at the Oliver Community Centre.

The forum is part of the community engagement strategy of the 3-year Food Secure Oliver project, funded by the Town of Oliver and Interior Health through a Community Food Action Initiative grant received in 2016 to increase the level of food security among Oliver and Area C residents.

Food security in this case is describing access to healthy, nutritious, locally-sourced food for everyone. Using research and work completed by the Oliver Healthy Living Coalition starting in 2013, a Food Action Advisory Committee (FAAC) to Council was formed in the fall of 2017 and consulting firm Urban Food Strategies contracted to develop a Food Security Plan for Oliver.  Many opportunities for input over the past 18 months from various focus groups, individuals, the FAAC and last year’s forum event have led to the draft version of this plan, which will be the primary focus of the forum next week.

The Food Security plan contains a vision, goals, objectives, strategies, and ideas for how to increase food security, food culture, and the local food economy in Oliver and Area C. Participants will also help to identify priority strategy areas that will be included in the final version of the plan. The feedback and information received from the attendees will be used to complete the final draft of the plan which will be presented to Town Council for adoption in January 2018.

The FAAC and Town of Oliver invites the community, especially those with direct ties to the local food economy, those assisting vulnerable persons and those with an interest in increasing food security to join in on Nov 22 to review the draft plan, share your ideas and perspectives on priorities, then enjoy a delicious local food celebration provided by Piggy’s BBQ & Chefs Graeme and Derek.

There is no charge to attend this event, and those wishing to participate are asked to pre-register for the Community Food Security Forum through eventbrite.com or by phoning 250-485-6200.

For more information about the Food Secure Oliver project and plan, please visit the Town of Oliver’s website at www.oliver.ca .