A local and sustainable food system integrates production, processing, distribution and the consumption and recovery of food in ways that enhance community well-being.
Purpose of the BC Sustainable Food Systems Working Group
- Provide a forum for exchange of information among agencies, funders and thought leaders with interests in food systems sustainability by strengthening relationships, knowledge and networks.
- Coordinate complementary research and policy initiatives, community engagement and grant funded projects.
- Proactively contribute to regional dialogues to identify and explore key components and inter-relationships of healthy, resilient food systems in BC.
- Articulate and advance a vision for a sustainable food system in BC.
- Address barriers and seek opportunities for collective action and complementary work at the community, regional and provincial levels.
- Align, secure and mobilize funding towards strategic initiatives.
Members:
- BC Food Systems Network
- Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives (CRFAIR)
- FarmFolk CityFolk
- Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC)
- VanCity
- Vancouver Foundation
Resources:
- Finding Common Ground Local and Sustainable Food Systems Summit, May 2016
- BC Sustainable Food System Map
- Finding Common Ground Forum Summary Report Vancouver, BC November 2015
- The case for more local food production in B.C. Hendrickson & Wong, Vancouver Sun , April 15, 2015
- Local Food Futures for British Columbia Regional Dialogues Report 2014:
Interior
Island
Kootenays
North
Okanagan
South
- REFBC – Vancouver Foundation BC Public Attitudes Toward Agriculture and Food 2014, McAllister Research
- C. facing massive price spikes for fruits and vegetables, wake up call for B.C. to increase local food production, Mansfield, October, 2014 – Media Release