The city council adopted the amendment to Utilities By-Law 2006-122 to exempt food gardens from residential water restrictions. We have confirmed the new language will take effect before the next planting season begins. I am currently reviewing the implementation guidelines to ensure the city provides the necessary resources for community …
September 4, 2016
Final supporters
Food and water are basic human rights[1]. The resurgence of gardens for food production in Kingston and across North America has been a key aspect of people and communities asserting greater control over the food they eat by growing it themselves. In areas in and around Kingston’s food desert[2][3] where there are no grocery stores and access to fresh healthy food options is limited, growing food is especially important.
The problem is that Kingston’s By-Laws on water usage do not recognize food and water as human rights. One example of this (there are many) is how the city regulates residential water use when it comes to watering community and residential food gardens. The current By-Law (Utilities By-Law 2006-122[4]) limits external use (i.e. outside the house or business) of water according to even/odd calendar days and based on whether you use a sprinkler or a hose. The problem with this By-Law is that it does not discriminate based on how water is being used – to fill pools, wash cars, water lawns, water flower gardens, or produce food. And, all the “work-arounds” provided to in the By-Laws by means of exemptions are costly and exclude the poor.
An exemption to Kingston Utilities By-Law 2006-122 for residential and community food garden irrigation is one small way that the city can help and encourage local food production and greater food security in areas where few food fresh food options are available. We the undersigned request City Council review this By-Law and amend it to exclude external water usage for residential and community food garden irrigation.
References
[1] http://www.worldhunger.org/special/
[2] http://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2007-11-23/news/north-kingstons-food-desert/
[3] Bedore, Melanie. 2010. Just urban food systems: A new direction for food access and urban social justice. Geography Compass 4 (9):1418-1432.
Updates
July 27, 2016
I am currently finalizing a formal proposal to amend Utilities By-Law 2006-122 to present to the city council subcommittee. Several local news outlets have reached out to discuss how restricted water access disproportionately impacts community garden productivity. These conversations are crucial for developing the evidence base required for our upcoming meeting with city planning staff.
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2016
35 Comments
I too grow vegetables in a home garden to supplement my family's nutritional requirements.
Please consider this change for those who create urban food gardens. To be allowed to fill a swimming pool but not maintain a food garden is ridiculous.
The city needs to encourage more people to make use of their properties. Growing food should not be treated the same as watering grass. Please change the bylaw so that it becomes easier for us to create a sustainable city.
I fully support this petition. This vegetable garden, in particular, is an exemplary use of city space and an inspiration to those who see it.
I fully support this petition. Please exempt vegetable gardens from the bylaw. It should only be used to punish frivolous and aesthetic uses of water.
Adding my voice ... The ability to grow ones own food should rise above the other outside water uses and should be exempt from header use limiting bylaws.
Food and water are our primary basic needs. It should go without saying that urban gardens be exempt from watering by-laws. It's the right thing to do!
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The city council adopted the amendment to Utilities By-Law 2006-122 to exempt food gardens from residential water restrictions. We have confirmed the new language will take effect before the next planting season begins. I am currently reviewing the implementation guidelines to ensure the city provides the necessary resources for community …
September 4, 2016
Final supporters
Food and water are basic human rights[1]. The resurgence of gardens for food production in Kingston and across North America has been a key aspect of people and communities asserting greater control over the food they eat by growing it themselves. In areas in and around Kingston’s food desert[2][3] where there are no grocery stores and access to fresh healthy food options is limited, growing food is especially important.
The problem is that Kingston’s By-Laws on water usage do not recognize food and water as human rights. One example of this (there are many) is how the city regulates residential water use when it comes to watering community and residential food gardens. The current By-Law (Utilities By-Law 2006-122[4]) limits external use (i.e. outside the house or business) of water according to even/odd calendar days and based on whether you use a sprinkler or a hose. The problem with this By-Law is that it does not discriminate based on how water is being used – to fill pools, wash cars, water lawns, water flower gardens, or produce food. And, all the “work-arounds” provided to in the By-Laws by means of exemptions are costly and exclude the poor.
An exemption to Kingston Utilities By-Law 2006-122 for residential and community food garden irrigation is one small way that the city can help and encourage local food production and greater food security in areas where few food fresh food options are available. We the undersigned request City Council review this By-Law and amend it to exclude external water usage for residential and community food garden irrigation.
References
[1] http://www.worldhunger.org/special/
[2] http://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2007-11-23/news/north-kingstons-food-desert/
[3] Bedore, Melanie. 2010. Just urban food systems: A new direction for food access and urban social justice. Geography Compass 4 (9):1418-1432.
Updates
July 27, 2016
I am currently finalizing a formal proposal to amend Utilities By-Law 2006-122 to present to the city council subcommittee. Several local news outlets have reached out to discuss how restricted water access disproportionately impacts community garden productivity. These conversations are crucial for developing the evidence base required for our upcoming meeting with city planning staff.
Reached 100 supporters
July 27, 2016
35 Comments
We do have a big vegetable garden and watering it accordingly to the conditions is a must this summer. We water our vegetables not lawn. We consider that garden as a source of food and valuable nutrients that could be otherwise omitted due to the high prices of vegetables. Watering have been an issue and sometimes I had to do it even though it wasn't my turn.
I too grow vegetables in a home garden to supplement my family's nutritional requirements.
Please consider this change for those who create urban food gardens. To be allowed to fill a swimming pool but not maintain a food garden is ridiculous.
The city needs to encourage more people to make use of their properties. Growing food should not be treated the same as watering grass. Please change the bylaw so that it becomes easier for us to create a sustainable city.
I fully support this petition. This vegetable garden, in particular, is an exemplary use of city space and an inspiration to those who see it.
I fully support this petition. Please exempt vegetable gardens from the bylaw. It should only be used to punish frivolous and aesthetic uses of water.
Adding my voice ... The ability to grow ones own food should rise above the other outside water uses and should be exempt from header use limiting bylaws.
Food and water are our primary basic needs. It should go without saying that urban gardens be exempt from watering by-laws. It's the right thing to do!
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We do have a big vegetable garden and watering it accordingly to the conditions is a must this summer. We water our vegetables not lawn. We consider that garden as a source of food and valuable nutrients that could be otherwise omitted due to the high prices of vegetables. Watering have been an issue and sometimes I had to do it even though it wasn't my turn.