Projects
Planning for food sovereignty: Co-Creating a path forward
In partnership with food leaders across Turtle Island (Canada) and Food Secure Canada
In this project, the convening of Black and Indigenous food movement leaders expand their relationships, continue the good work they are doing, and create the process for community-led plans and actions to advance food sovereignty for their communities. A goal and outcome is the sharing and harnessing of cross-cultural knowledge, and strategies to increase the capacity to advance food sovereignty for Indigenous communities and people of African descent, across Turtle Island/ Canada.
Project in progress
In partnership with food leaders across Turtle Island (Canada) and Food Secure Canada
In this project, the convening of Black and Indigenous food movement leaders expand their relationships, continue the good work they are doing, and create the process for community-led plans and actions to advance food sovereignty for their communities. A goal and outcome is the sharing and harnessing of cross-cultural knowledge, and strategies to increase the capacity to advance food sovereignty for Indigenous communities and people of African descent, across Turtle Island/ Canada.
Project in progress
Opaskwayak Identity: Connecting youth with local knowledge through land-based practices
In partnership with Opaskwayak Culture & Healthy Living Initiatives
To address the alarmingly high rate of diabetes on the Reserve, OCHLI community initiatives address connections between colonization and health by learning about traditional land-based knowledge, practices and lifeways from local Elders, and sharing what we’ve learned with OCN members.
In the Opaskwaya Identity project, Indigenous youth will gather knowledge, skills and experiences that will prepare them to take responsibility for and control of their health and well-being. Drawing on local Elders’ land-based knowledge and practices, youth will learn to identify, harvest, and prepare traditional foods and medicines and foods grown in our community garden.
Project in progress
In partnership with Opaskwayak Culture & Healthy Living Initiatives
To address the alarmingly high rate of diabetes on the Reserve, OCHLI community initiatives address connections between colonization and health by learning about traditional land-based knowledge, practices and lifeways from local Elders, and sharing what we’ve learned with OCN members.
In the Opaskwaya Identity project, Indigenous youth will gather knowledge, skills and experiences that will prepare them to take responsibility for and control of their health and well-being. Drawing on local Elders’ land-based knowledge and practices, youth will learn to identify, harvest, and prepare traditional foods and medicines and foods grown in our community garden.
Project in progress
Food for All in Makeso Sakahikan Inniuwak
In partnership with the Fox Lake Cree Nation
Fox Lake Cree Nation and their partners will re-establish, design and build food systems that will contribute significantly to the food security needs of FLCN, create employment, and enhance economic opportunities, while also reducing trucking and agricultural sector emissions in Manitoba. The long-term vision includes the development of gardens, a greenhouse component, potential animal husbandry, a traditional foods program and processing, and addressing additional community needs that emerge out of the community engagement phase.
Project in progress
In partnership with the Fox Lake Cree Nation
Fox Lake Cree Nation and their partners will re-establish, design and build food systems that will contribute significantly to the food security needs of FLCN, create employment, and enhance economic opportunities, while also reducing trucking and agricultural sector emissions in Manitoba. The long-term vision includes the development of gardens, a greenhouse component, potential animal husbandry, a traditional foods program and processing, and addressing additional community needs that emerge out of the community engagement phase.
Project in progress
Projects with Food First Newfoundland
Increasing Access of Healthy Affordable Food in Western Newfoundland and Labrador
The Western NL Food Hub is a social enterprise by Food First NL that services communities in rural Newfoundland. Revenue from Food Hub sales goes toward keeping the Food Hub itself running. It is creating easier access to local food and supporting food producers so they can thrive. It also means strengthening food systems and communities. The Western NL Food Hub aims to be part of that work.
Strong Foundations for Lived Experience Engagement
This project will create the Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group and the development of an updated and regionalized living wage calculation for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Projects in progress
Increasing Access of Healthy Affordable Food in Western Newfoundland and Labrador
The Western NL Food Hub is a social enterprise by Food First NL that services communities in rural Newfoundland. Revenue from Food Hub sales goes toward keeping the Food Hub itself running. It is creating easier access to local food and supporting food producers so they can thrive. It also means strengthening food systems and communities. The Western NL Food Hub aims to be part of that work.
Strong Foundations for Lived Experience Engagement
This project will create the Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group and the development of an updated and regionalized living wage calculation for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Projects in progress
Eat Think Vote
Supporting the activities of Food Secure Canada
This project supported the delivery of Eat Think Vote, a non-partisan campaign delivered ahead of the 2021 Canada federal election. The campaign focused on uniting community members based coast-to-coast-to-coast to speak with their local candidates about issues affecting food policy. Its purpose was to leverage engagement to topics related to food security and food sovereignty, among others, during a pandemic and ongoing climate crisis. Eat Think Vote encourages a food system where everyone has dignified access to healthy, culturally appropriate, sustainably produced food.
Project completed in 2021
The Restructuring of the Toronto Food Policy Council
The Toronto Food Policy Council (TFPC) connects diverse people from the food, farming, and community sectors to develop innovative policies, projects, and resources centred on generating a health-focused food system. TFPC members identify emerging food-related issues that will impact Torontonians, promote food system innovation, and facilitate food policy development.
This project supported the review of the TFPC’s organizational structure and mandate to foster more inclusive and effective approaches to its work.
Project completed in 2021
The Toronto Food Policy Council (TFPC) connects diverse people from the food, farming, and community sectors to develop innovative policies, projects, and resources centred on generating a health-focused food system. TFPC members identify emerging food-related issues that will impact Torontonians, promote food system innovation, and facilitate food policy development.
This project supported the review of the TFPC’s organizational structure and mandate to foster more inclusive and effective approaches to its work.
Project completed in 2021
Regaining Maple Tapping Knowledge for Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation youth
In collaboration with Charles Audy Memorial School located in Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation (Manitoba)
Maple syrup harvesting has always been part of the Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation tradition, a tradition and practice passed on from generation to generation. With maple syrup readily available in grocery stores, the harvesting of maple water has been left behind. This project enabled Grade 4-8 students of Charles Audy Memorial School to go out onto the land to learn how to tap maple trees, harvest and process maple water into maple syrup. This activity was a part of their grandparents’ livelihood; it is a manifestation of food sovereignty, and is helping to ensure traditional skills and knowledge tied to maple harvesting remains alive and well in the Wuskwi Sipihk communities of Northern Manitoba.
In collaboration with Charles Audy Memorial School located in Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation (Manitoba)
Maple syrup harvesting has always been part of the Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation tradition, a tradition and practice passed on from generation to generation. With maple syrup readily available in grocery stores, the harvesting of maple water has been left behind. This project enabled Grade 4-8 students of Charles Audy Memorial School to go out onto the land to learn how to tap maple trees, harvest and process maple water into maple syrup. This activity was a part of their grandparents’ livelihood; it is a manifestation of food sovereignty, and is helping to ensure traditional skills and knowledge tied to maple harvesting remains alive and well in the Wuskwi Sipihk communities of Northern Manitoba.
Towards a Sustainable Recovery and Resilience of the Montreal Food System
In collaboration with Système alimentaire montréalais and Project impact collectif
The pandemic has put a lot of pressure on our food system. When economic recovery begins, the City of Montreal will need to (re)build a food system based on public health needs, that also supports economic and ecological resilience. This project enabled Conseil SAM to conduct an analysis during the COVID-19 crisis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the city’s local food system; set priorities for economic recovery, and establish a 10-year roadmap to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of a local food network for Montreal.
In collaboration with Système alimentaire montréalais and Project impact collectif
The pandemic has put a lot of pressure on our food system. When economic recovery begins, the City of Montreal will need to (re)build a food system based on public health needs, that also supports economic and ecological resilience. This project enabled Conseil SAM to conduct an analysis during the COVID-19 crisis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the city’s local food system; set priorities for economic recovery, and establish a 10-year roadmap to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of a local food network for Montreal.
Working to implement a School Food Program for Canada
This project enables the Coalition for Healthy School Food and its 180+ members to build awareness about the importance of meal and food literacy programs. Educational activities included are: collecting data that supports a case for a School Food Program for Canada, preparing high-quality educational materials that summarize key issues and opportunities, coordinating visits of Coalition members to meet with local MPs, and building relationships that prioritize awareness about nutrition needs for children.
This project enables the Coalition for Healthy School Food and its 180+ members to build awareness about the importance of meal and food literacy programs. Educational activities included are: collecting data that supports a case for a School Food Program for Canada, preparing high-quality educational materials that summarize key issues and opportunities, coordinating visits of Coalition members to meet with local MPs, and building relationships that prioritize awareness about nutrition needs for children.
Growing Resilience and Equity
In collaboration with Food Secure Canada
To encourage a transformative approach to Canada’s pandemic response and recovery plans, this project supported a number of activities including: monitoring food systems policy and program developments by the federal government; identifying emerging proposals and innovation from food movement leaders in the context of COVID-19; responding to government requests for discussions, analysis and participation regarding food system issues and COVID-19; and convene roundtable and meetings with civil society and the federal government.
In addition, the project prioritizes inclusive food policy governance by including and learning from multiple civil society initiatives, conducting primary research on existing food policy influences, and amplifying the voices of individuals who are Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour.
Project completed in 2021
In collaboration with Food Secure Canada
To encourage a transformative approach to Canada’s pandemic response and recovery plans, this project supported a number of activities including: monitoring food systems policy and program developments by the federal government; identifying emerging proposals and innovation from food movement leaders in the context of COVID-19; responding to government requests for discussions, analysis and participation regarding food system issues and COVID-19; and convene roundtable and meetings with civil society and the federal government.
In addition, the project prioritizes inclusive food policy governance by including and learning from multiple civil society initiatives, conducting primary research on existing food policy influences, and amplifying the voices of individuals who are Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour.
Project completed in 2021
Food Security and Skill Building for Bloodvein First Nation Youth
In collaboration with Miskooseepi School located in Bloodvein First Nation (Manitoba)
This project enabled the Miskooseepi School Food Program located in Bloodvein First Nation to purchase much-needed healthy food for children in a community where food insecurity has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The youth-focused project also supports educational and skill-building activities related to healthy food systems and actions that advance food security for the community.
Project completed in 2020
In collaboration with Miskooseepi School located in Bloodvein First Nation (Manitoba)
This project enabled the Miskooseepi School Food Program located in Bloodvein First Nation to purchase much-needed healthy food for children in a community where food insecurity has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The youth-focused project also supports educational and skill-building activities related to healthy food systems and actions that advance food security for the community.
Project completed in 2020
Cultivating Black Food Sovereignty In Toronto
Supporting activities organized by the AfriCan Food Basket
Since 1995, Afri-Can Food Basket (AFB) has been feeding Toronto families through a range of programming that have provided healthy and culturally-specific food to African, Caribbean, and Black families in Toronto. To support education and awareness of food sovereignty in African, Black and Caribbean communities, sponsorship from PFI supported this first Black Food Sovereignty Conference, which was an online event focused on the cultivation of food sovereignty and eradication of racial injustice in food systems.
Project completed in 2020
Supporting activities organized by the AfriCan Food Basket
Since 1995, Afri-Can Food Basket (AFB) has been feeding Toronto families through a range of programming that have provided healthy and culturally-specific food to African, Caribbean, and Black families in Toronto. To support education and awareness of food sovereignty in African, Black and Caribbean communities, sponsorship from PFI supported this first Black Food Sovereignty Conference, which was an online event focused on the cultivation of food sovereignty and eradication of racial injustice in food systems.
Project completed in 2020