Edmonton is using surveys to help gather ideas from citizens on the future of food and agriculture

The City of Edmonton is using yet another tool to gather the ideas of Edmontonians on food and agriculture issues in the city. A public opinion survey is now being conducted as part of the City’s development of a food and agriculture strategy. The survey is running until June 23, 2012. Those who participate in the survey have a chance to win an iPod Touch.

PHOTO CREDIT - City-Market.ca

Edmonton - June 9, 2012 - The City of Edmonton is using yet another tool to gather the ideas of Edmontonians on food and agriculture issues in the city. A public opinion survey is now being conducted as part of the City’s development of a food and agriculture strategy.

The survey is running until June 23, 2012. Those who participate in the survey have a chance to win an iPod Touch.

The survey is accompanied by new background research material on the role of food and agriculture in Edmonton, and how other cities in North America are promoting and encouraging local food and agriculture.

The survey and background material are available now on the project webpage at www.edmonton.ca/FoodandAg. Those who do not have access to the internet can call 311 to receive assistance in filling out the survey.

“The survey is one of several methods the City is using to gather the ideas of citizens on the future of food and agriculture in Edmonton,” says Peter Ohm, Branch Manager of Urban Planning & Environment.

Recently the City hosted the Food in the City conference that was attended by 266 people.

Citizen panels, made up of 66 randomly selected citizens, just wrapped up 6 weeks of facilitated conversations and brainstorming. Their deliberations are highlighted in videos that can be viewed on the project web page.

Focus groups, made up of individuals from various fields �" farmers and producers, food retail and restaurants, government, development community, culture, local processors and distributors, community organizations, education, and social welfare and health �" held initial discussions last month. Their next round of discussions is scheduled for mid-June.

“These multiple methods of gathering input,” says Ohm, “are part of the City of Edmonton’s commitment to collaborating with citizens, community organizations, businesses and other stakeholders to develop a food and agriculture strategy.”