Sustainable Food Systems

Canadians increasingly understand that a resilient and sustainable food system must address not only the economic wellbeing of producers and consumers, but also environmental impacts and human health outcomes. Local, diverse, and ecologically sustainable food initiatives are multiplying across the country, including eco-certification, regionally focused restaurants and food markets, and healthy supply chain strategies that link informed consumers to local producers. To assist this work, the Foundation launched the Sustainable Food Systems initiative in 2010, aiming at systemic change to increase regional, sustainable food production capacity while enhancing consumers’ ability to make healthy food choices.

The Foundation envisions a food system that links growers and consumers in supply chains that incorporate shared values around sustainability, health, and resilience.

In late 2011, the Foundation created a Regional Value Chain Program, with a focus on strengthening the ability of regional producers, processors, distributors, food service providers and retailers to make healthy, sustainably produced food accessible to all Canadians, by whatever means appropriate in individual communities.

The Value Chain Program provides resources and funding focused on assessment of regional food systems, business planning, and learning for projects working to structure regional food markets around values of sustainability, inclusion and health. Projects that reach the implementation phase will receive support to access matching funds and loan financing. Application to this program is open by invitation only. Regional Value Chain Program grantees are: Southwest Economic Alliance (London Training Centre); Food Matters Manitoba; Antigonish Regional Development Authority; Corporation of the County of Perth; Opportunities Waterloo Region; Nature-Action Québec; Ecology Action Centre; Toronto Food Policy Council; Living Oceans Society; All Things Food Network; Vancouver Farmers Markets; Just Food; CHEP Good Food Inc; United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick / Really Local Harvest; and Saveurs des Cantons.

Granting Total

$5.1 million

Sustainable Food Systems granting to date

Organization	Dates	Amount
Community Food Centres Canada	2012 – 2015	960,000
Ecotrust Canada - ThisFish	2012 – 2015	500,000
Greenbelt Fund	2012 – 2013	154,600
Food Secure Canada	2012 – 2015	325,000

Early grants and grants stemming from the Foundation’s 2011 Request for Proposals (now closed) include:

The Stop Community Food Centre	2010 – 2013	200,000
Local Food Plus	2010 – 2013	750,000
Seeds of Diversity	2011 – 2014	240,000
Public Health Association of British Columbia / Farm-to-Cafeteria	2011 – 2013	175,000
FarmStart	2011 – 2014	465,300
Meal Exchange	2011 – 2014	389,300

Continue checking the website for Sustainable Food Systems updates and announcements.