Deputation to Licensing and Standards Committee

June 28 2012

By Miguel Avila

FOOD DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGHT!

BACKGROUND: Torontoa city that prides itself on diversity, but whose only street food until recently had been essentially limited by law to hot dogs and Hamburgers. After New York City, The City of Toronto is the second largest Multicultural City in North America.
Last Sunday on Newstalk 1010 show, The brothers Ford wrapped up their radio act for the summer on Sunday calling for more variety in Torontos street food offerings. I tried to get into the program but the lines were busy as usual. Here is an important quote by the Mayor on the Show:

I believe in free enterprise and being able to sell what you want, You got that right Mr Mayor and couldnt agree more with you. Mr Mayor, Current policies are overly restrictive in holding back the locations and types of
foods that can be cooked, bought, and sold in Toronto

Here at City Hall next to the office of the Mayor Ford there is a huge placard that exalts the city virtues DIVERSITY OUR STRENGHT I named my deputation Food Diversity is our Strength
So what is the road block to let street food variety on the streets of Toronto? The answer is in the field of the Torontos Board of health and their requirements once they are met, carts and trucks could even offer tacos. Lobster Grill Sandwiches and Somosas?

So far, I am glad the city has taken steps towards opening up street food menus offered by vendors. I have a feeling Toronto Bureaucrats are beginning to understand the Toronto as a world class city can not lag behind other cities such as Portland Seattle, Miami, I would like to point that the City of Portland, has been celebrating its street food for years,

thanks to a laissez-faire approach by the government and available space on privately owned lots. With few zoning restrictions and much opportunity, Toronto could just do the very same , and it appears that on the report by the Director of licensing and standards is recommending that vendors be allowed to sell a
larger variety of food items, provided they are approved by Toronto Public Health.

The Board of health met this past Monday June 25, 2012 , a report provides an
update on the Toronto Food Strategy and an overview of current initiatives and provides a long list of community engagement with residents, community organizations and City staff on food systems issues. The report states that Staff will continue to work with partners to access external project-specific funding. The Medical Officer of Health will report back to the Board of Health annually on the progress of the Food Strategy.

COMMENT:
The review by the Executive Director of Licensing and Standars, concluded that modifications to the existing regulatory framework for hot dog carts and mobile food trucks should be investigated if the City wished to pursue its objective of introducing more diverse street food. A working group was struck in 2011, As such the working group made the following recommendations so far to reach the goal of diverse street food in Toronto 1. Review of Expanded Menus for Food Carts; and 2. Development of a Street Food Vending culture which is subject to existing by-law compliance requirements. It is important to note that the Working Group describes The A La Cart program to be expensive and impractical for many new or existing entrepreneurs.

TORONTO FOOD COUNCIL

The Toronto Food Policy Council (TFPC) connects diverse people from the food, farming and community sector to develop innovative policies and projects that support a health-focused food system. The TFPC provides a forum for action across the food system.TFPC members identify emerging food issues that will impact Torontonians, promote food system innovation, and facilitate food policy development. Toronto has a long history as a leader of initiatives that ensure access to healthy, affordable, sufficient and culturally acceptable food.

SUGGESTIONS: Imagine the opportunity to show the bureaucrats at City Hall that the Toronto Zoo can be proactive and innovative in moving forward with food choices for Toronto Zoos visitors a Le Carte Menu sore of speak How about next to the Malayan Pavilion provide Korean stands, How about at the African Pavilion Eritrean/Ethiopian and Pakistani cuisine that are generally considered healthy, tasty and affordable. However Vending is prohibited in the former cities of
Etobicoke,York and Scarborough. Perhaps there are opportunities for a by-law changes in Chapter 315, Chapter 315 Street Vending of the former municipality of Toronto. Green Park is considering accommodating a truck on their premises so the Zoo may do the same until a by-law is put forward by this committee.

June 8, 2012 UpDate Food Strategy : Board of Health. Food Strategy staff have been leading, facilitating and supporting the Implementation of numerous food initiatives that reflect the goals of a healthier, more Sustainable food system. Much of the work consists of brokering relationships across City Divisions and between local government and community organizations.

In Conclusion, Please make it a priority at City Council to change the by-laws and regulations that govern street food. Help Toronto open the doors to great street food, and meet its potential as a multicultural and thriving City. You have my complete support, and let me know how I can help! Id love to see exciting new street food in our City !

Sincerely Yours,

Miguel Avila Ward 28