Regional Food Security Organizations
The following organizations maybe able to support Islands Trust Area food security initiatives. A list of all the Islands Trust Area organizations working on food security is available on our Local Food Security Organizations page.
Regional Food Security Agencies
There above link goes to the five agencies serving the Victoria, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, and Comox Valley areas. They provide leadership and support, develop communication networks and facilitate dialogue with neighbouring communities, and municipal and regional governments pertaining to local and regional food security issues. Funding is provided to them by the VIHA Community Food Action Initiative.
The Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiative Roundtable is a coalition of organizations and individuals in the Capital Region involved in our local food system, with a secretariat provided by the Community Council. CR-FAIR's mission is to increase knowledge of and bring about positive change in the food and agriculture system within the Capital Region. They produce the Making Food Matter e-newsletter to inform and connect people in BC's Capital Region who are working on, or have an interest in local food security issues. They also recently published the new (2009) Capital Region Food Resource Directory (PDF 1MB) which lists agencies throughout the region who offer food supports (hamper, groceries and meal programs), as well as ways to access food through buying clubs, community kitchens, markets and community gardens. Contact Pat Reichert 9250) 537-4282.
The VCH Food Security Program supports the development of food security within the region by:
- Supporting communities to address food security - The majority of food security work is done within local communities. VCH supports local communities with resources, leadership, and advocacy.
- Aligning VCH policies and procedures - Ensuring that food security is integrated into VCH policies and programs.
- Enhancing the case for food security - Maximizing opportunities for research, evaluation and education to strengthen food security as a key public health strategy.
An agency working together towards reliable access to healthy food for all residents of Nanaimo and Area. Their mission is to be involved in food advocacy and policy development; to support community food systems and capacity building programs; and to support community organizations involved in short-term food relief.
Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.
LifeCycles is a Victoria-based non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating awareness and initiating action around food, health, and urban sustainability in the Greater Victoria community. They work proactively to promote and create personal, shared and community gardens, research, and educational activities and youth skills development programs.
LifeCycles has created an interactive food map so users can click on a menu item and find out its food miles rating, how far it travels, and what that means for the environment. The map, which includes Islands Trust Area farms, is available here.
Cowichan Green Community promotes food security locally through projects such as FruitSave - a fruit gleaning project, creation of community gardens, and by connecting homeowners/schools with interested gardeners and volunteers.
FarmFolk/CityFolk is a Vancouver based non-profit society that works with farm and city communities to cultivate a local, sustainable food system. They develop and operate projects that provide access to and protection of food lands; support local growers and producers; and educate, communicate and celebrate with local food communities.
The BC Food Systems Network builds relationships between communities, organizations, and individuals working to create sustainable food systems across the province. The Network recognizes the importance and legitimacy of community knowledge in building locally rooted food security.
Food Secure Canada works to unite people and organizations working for food security nationally and globally.
Regional Agriculture Associations
Formed in 1992, ING promotes organic farming as one of the primary building blocks in establishing a sustainable community. Represents Galiano, Mayne, North and South Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, and other islands between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island. The majority of the 60+ members are on Salt Spring Island.
- Living the Good Life article series
In 2008 ISUNI in collaboration with the Island Tides Newspaper, sponsored the publication of the first of an ongoing series of articles called “Living the Good Life” on food sustainability. Those and other essays are now being gathered into a resource book on island life by Lasqueti Island Trustee Jen Gobby.
- District A Farmers Institutes and Community Agriculture Associations
They represent the Farmers Institutes on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Powell River and the Inter Island Sheep Breeders Association. Contact: Jenny MacLeod
- Inter Island Sheep Breeders Association
Contact Kathy Millar
Island Heritage Livestock is the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands chapter of Rare Breeds Canada, a national charitable organisation dedicated to the conservation and promotion of rare and traditional breeds of farm animals and poultry. They are currently the only chapter in British Columbia, and one of only four regional chapters nationwide. Their members are located all over the "big" island from Black Creek in the north to Cobble Hill in the south, as well as on Saltspring, Thetis and Gabriola Islands.
The Island Farmers' Alliance mission is to ensure the sustainability and growth of the Island agriculture. They aim to:
(a) Identify and promote the agricultural potential of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and to assess the social and economic impact of proceeding toward that potential.
(b) Increase public awareness of agricultural production as a major component of the economy.
(c) Represent all sectors of agriculture, providing input to Local, Regional and Provincial Governments and act generally on behalf of the industry in all matters incidental to agricultural pursuits and rural development.
(d) Recognize and encourage agricultural education at primary, secondary and post secondary levels as well as vocationally as a necessary component of this primary industry.
(e) Identify and encourage local and export opportunities for the development and diversity of agriculture.
(f) Promote research and development which will enable producers to compete efficiently in the market place.
(g) Encourage and promote the preservation of agricultural land from encroachment by other forms of land use, thus ensuring a long term economic base.
(h) Provide a local food supply to Island communities.
(i) Encourage the development of infrastructure supporting primary agricultural production or value added processing.
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