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Ms Shapero was instrumental in the town’s partnership with Local Food Plus, a non-profit provincial organization bringing farmers and consumers to the table to share in the benefits of environmentally and socially responsible food production. With the assistance of Local Food Plus, Markham will ensure a minimum of 10 per cent of its material and produce comes from Local Food Plus-certified Ontario farmers, she said. The agreement, valid until 2013, has a goal to increase local supplies 5 per cent annually. The initiative, the Ward 2 councillor said, helps support Ontario’s farm economy, addresses climate change, reduces greenhouse gases and pesticide use and promotes environmentally responsible purchasing. Local Food Plus certification requires farmers to adhere to strict guidelines representing significant progress in the transition to sustainable development practices. “This is great news for our farmers and residents,” she said. “Residents are looking for the municipality for leadership toward keeping our farms viable, to have food security. We’ve always had plans for housing, schools and hospitals. Now we have a food component.” Mayor Frank Scarpitti said the environment has been identified as one of Markham’s six strategic priorities and a comprehensive Green Print is being developed that will continue efforts to protect air, land, water, vegetation, wildlife and other living species. “Markham continues to lead the way on environmental sustainability,” he said in a statement. Local Food Plus founder and president Lori Stahlbrand applauds the town’s vision. “We’re very supportive of the CISM green belt and Markham’s in the green belt,” she said. Ms Stahlbrand, who incorporated the organization in 2005, works expressly with farmers who adhere to certified standards. “Our mandate is to make farming viable and make sure farmers make a living 1z0-050 by getting a fair price,” she said. “Our certification is all about using environmentally and socially sustainable practices. We invite all farmers to apply.” Ms Stahlbrand concurs there’s a food s E20-850 hortage risk. “It’s an issue of food security in every sense of the word. We need food now and in the future and it’s so important we sup RH302 port and save our agricultural lands.” Ms Shapero said the program will be used in all municipal food services, including those supplying the civic centre and recreation and community centres. “We’re optimistic other municipal jurisdictions and businesses will reduce their environmental footprint through similar programs,” she said.