Community leaders, food system partners, and agricultural stakeholders converged in Thorndale Thursday to explore strategies for maximizing the benefits of southern Ontario’s agricultural wealth and addressing critical challenges in food access, affordability, and sustainability. The symposium, hosted by the Middlesex London Food Policy Council (MLFPC), aimed to foster collaboration and identify pathways toward a more resilient regional food system. Participants, including community leaders and agricultural stakeholders from across Middlesex County, sought to tackle pressing issues facing the local food supply and build stronger, healthier communities through food systems planning. Justine Dainard, Smart Cities project manager for Wellington County, delivered the featured address, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the food system. “There is no untangling the circular economy. It’s all going to connect around again,” Dainard stated, highlighting Wellington County’s “Our Food Future” initiative. She added, “We’re looking at the whole food system and trying to make sure that we’re learning how to live in a climate friendly way and not leave anyone behind.” The symposium also spotlighted the growing impact of food insecurity in rural areas. Joe Winser, Middlesex County’s director of Human Services, reported that over 6,000 people within the county alone accessed services related to food assistance, calling it a significant number for smaller communities. Retired poultry and crop farmer Diane McComb urged attendees to seek efficiencies throughout the agrifood chain. “What we look at as waste is not necessarily an unvaluable product,” McComb noted. “It could be valuable somewhere else in our food chain.” Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Michelle Smibert underscored the vital role of farmers, stating they need to be supported. “They’re the ones that do it day in and day out,” Smibert commented. “And they likely know what’s best moving forward in terms of trying to address some of the challenges with food insecurity and also protecting primary land.” Kathy Mackay, Food System facilitator for the MLFPC, emphasized the broad reach of food systems. “Food systems touch every aspect of community well-being, from agriculture and economic development to public health and environmental sustainability,” Mackay said. “This gathering brings together diverse voices to identify shared priorities and explore how we can build a more resilient food system for Middlesex County.” The MLFPC is dedicated to identifying food system challenges and supporting policy change through collaboration. They organized the event in partnership with Middlesex County.
