AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR PROJECT

Transcription

1 RECONNECTING FOOD & COMMUNITY

2 AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR PROJECT * TEAM * he Our Food Project is a four year intiative from made possible by the generous funding of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Su Morin The overarching goal of the Our Food Project is to strengthen communities relationship to food by helping to build what we call positive food environments. Positive food environments are the physical and social spaces that help to normalize healthy eating by making it easier to grow, sell, and eat good food. We work at the individual, community and systemic level to increase the availability of nutritious food as well as our access to it. In doing so, we actively involve people in the development of more localized food systems. HALIFAX: Aimee Carson Miranda Cobb Will Hill Marla MacLeod CAPE BRETON: Georgia McNeil OUR FOCUS AREAS ECOLOGY ACTION CENTRE GARDEN, HALIFAX Many communities in Nova Scotia struggle with food and income insecurity while at the same time our farmers find it difficult to make a living. The Our Food Project believes that both small farmers and low-income communities have the right to adequate income and an equitable food system. We re helping to connect vulnerable populations to healthy food sources and helping to create a more equitable and sustainable food system by supporting local producers, educating eaters, and advocating for food policy change. 1 THE OUR FOOD PROJECT

3 WHAT MAKES THE OUR FOOD PROJECT UNIQUE? Our work has positive impacts because we support community groups that work on food-related issues to take it to the next level by CONNECTING, CONVENING and CATALYZING. We CONVENE community members and build networks of on-going support. Events such as the Organic Agriculture Tour bring groups together to share an experience. It is a time to create new relationships and strengthen existing ones; to share knowledge, successes and challenges; and to get motivated and energized. We CONNECT individuals and groups across all levels of the food system. In we connected with 103 partners to share resources (e.g., workshops, programming, infrastructure, reports, toolkits, discussion of ideas and planning), and support one another. The Our Food Project is known as the go-to for food systems questions and connections in the community. We received and responded to 250+ requests for information, ideas, and resources on a wide variety of topics. We CATALYZE initiatives by bridging relationships between regular citizens and decision makers (e.g., bureaucrats and politicians), helping to move ideas into action. Specifically we work with community members and decisions makers, using our skills and expertise to articulate goals and parameters, develop appropriate plans, and facilitate multi-directional communication and understanding. I REMEMBER MY PARENTS GARDENING, AND HELPING OUT AS A KID. BUT WE NEVER KEPT IT UP. IT WASN T THE THING TO DO. IT S SO WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO RE- LEARN THESE SKILLS AND BE GROWING FOOD AGAIN Cape Breton workshop participant In Cumberland County many families do not have access to enough locally produced, affordable, nutrient-dense food and farmers in the region wanted to do something about it. Our Food staff made the connections between these two groups by coordinating the YMCA and other institutional partners to start the Cost-Share CSA. By catalyzing the relationships between 5 farms, 35 families and numerous organizations, we are creating Positive Food Environments in Cumberland. Through connecting, convening and catalyzing, the impacts of our work spread into many corners. Many of these are visible to us, which we outline in the following pages, and many more we don t see. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE TOUR IRONWOOD FARM, HANTS COUNTY RECONNECTING FOOD & COMMUNITY 2

4 I ALWAYS REALLY ENJOY THE RECIPES AND COOKING CLASSES. THEY TASTE GREAT AND THEY RE HEALTHY. YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THEY RE VEGETARIAN Bayers Westwood Family Resource Centre, Workshop Participant, Halifax FOOD & GARDEN SKILLS BUILDING OBJECTIVES: To build food preparation, preservation and gardening skills in target communities. 177 workshops at 15 partner sites with 582 participants I eat more vegetables! 84% of survey respondents report eating 3 more servings per day because of our gardens and food skills workshops I share healthy food with my family and friends! For every 1 person we support on average 5 more people benefit. Garden members and food skills participants report sharing their food with family, friends and neighbours We animate garden spaces and help neighbours get to know each other, through consistent workdays and workparties We supported a 65% increase in garden members from 146 in 2013 to 241 in 2014 We focus our work on communities vulnerable to food insecurity: urban and rural low-income communities, Afro-Nova Scotians, Indigenous communities, public housing residents, seniors, and recent immigrants. GARDEN HARVEST FOR SALSA CHETICAMP, CAPE BRETON SEASONAL COOKING WORKSHOP BAYERS WESTWOOD, HALIFAX LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDEN PRODUCE 3 THE OUR FOOD PROJECT

5 INFRASTRUCTURE & CAPACITY OBJECTIVES: To create lasting food and garden infrastructure, community leadership, and systems to improve food access. Built 9 new gardens, and expanded 9 gardens: including seniors raised beds, sheds, fences, composters and 1 greenhouse installed at Common Roots Urban Farm Supported 17 food distribution projects and sites including the Cost-Share CSA in Cumberland County providing local food boxes to 35 families from 5 ecologicaly sustainble farms Ran 62 infrastructure workshops and workparties with 425 participants. Coordinated an Organic Agriculture Tour with 48 seniors and newcomers to Canada Chair of Common Roots Urban Farm (CRUF) Advisory Board We build capacity by providing mentorship to emerging food and garden leaders and initiatives: we create and steward governance structures, support grant writing, design and facilitate strategic planning, create and share important resources, in addition to consulting when asked to provide advice and expertise. I THINK THE OUR FOOD PROJECT STAFF HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD AT DEVELOPING INFRA- STRUCTURE AND SUPPORTING CAPACITY OF GROUPS WHEREVER THEY ARE TO MOVE FORWARD AND BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT Partner, Cumberland County ORGANIC AGRICULTURE TOUR DANIEL S U-PICK, WINDSOR GARDEN BUILD MARGAREE FORKS, CAPE BRETON FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN COMMON ROOTS URBAN FARM RECONNECTING FOOD & COMMUNITY 4

6 87% OF RESPONDENTS AGREED: THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ALLOWED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY NEEDED POLICY CHANGES AT MUNICIPAL, PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS. - Participant feedback, Food Secure Canada s 8th National Assembly, Halifax POLICY CHANGE & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: To contribute to food policy change initiatives and to increase target communities understanding of how food systems work and the role that community engagement can play. Meetings with 32 municipal and provincial decision makers 4 Policy 101 Workshops for 72 participants on how to demystify policy Core team members for Food Secure Canada s 8th National Assembly, held for the first time in the Maritimes in November 2014 Contributed to 6 reports, briefings and submissions to policy makers and partners Policy success! Food can now be sold from community gardens on city land in Halifax With Capital District Public Health and the Halifax Planning Department, we are co-leading the Halifax Food Policy Alliance, which began in May This includes the creation of a Halifax Food Asessment which launches Spring VANDANA SHIVA FOOD SECURE CANADA ASSEMBLY POLICY 101 PARTICIPANT: POLICY MAPPING & STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDEN PRODUCE 5 THE OUR FOOD PROJECT

7 STORY-TELLING, RESEARCH & EVALUATION OBJECTIVES: To evaluate our programs with our partners throughout the entire life of the project using methods that are participatory and feed back into the work to improve it. 468 participants in story-telling, evaluation and research 1 storysharing tour to Cumberland County, Cape Breton and Moncton, New Brunswick 2 food asset mapping events with 15 community members 2 staff team retreats supporting responsiveness to community context and adaptive programming We facilitated a Photovoice Project asking 12 community gardeners: What does you garden mean to you? Responses included: I have access to healthy food I can t otherwise afford. I am happier. I have vegetables to feed my family. I can save money. I can teach my children about our culture. I feel connected to my family far away. I get more exercise. I feel more relaxed. We use a suite of participatory Developmental Evaluation practices to make visible what s emerging in the food landscape, allowing us to adapt our processes and interventions, so we are more effective and efficient in creating Positive Food Environments. I GROW TOMATOES AND KALE IN MY GARDEN. IT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY. IT HELPS FINANCIALLY. IF YOU DON T HAVE MONEY, YOU CAN TAKE THE VEGETABLES FROM THE GARDEN AND FEED YOUR FAMILY. Menso Kipili, Government Assisted Refugee, Glen Forest Community Gardener, Halifax FOOD ASSET MAPPING WAGMATCOOK FIRST NATION PHOTOVOICE GALA HALIFAX SQUASH FLOWER AMHERST COMMUNITY GARDEN RECONNECTING FOOD & COMMUNITY 6

8 2705 FERN LANE HALIFAX NS OBJECTIVES: To share lessons learned in this work, so that other communities are inspired and empowered to conduct similar initiatives and so that we may learn from other sites and improve our practices. Shared stories of food through: 40 media interviews and articles, 100+ public talks, 50 blog posts on Adventures in Local Food, 1 YouTube video: Our Food: Making Connections with 433 views Mentored 11 students and interns PICKLING WORKSHOP WAGMATCOOK, CAPE BRETON RAISED BED BUILD NEEDHAM COMMUNITY GARDEN LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDEN PRODUCE 7 THE OUR FOOD PROJECT

9 AGRICULTURE TOUR HUGS GARDEN, HALIFAX SEASONAL COOKING WORKSHOP BAYERS WESTWOOD, HALIFAX AMHERST COMMUNITY GARDEN CUMBERLAND COUNTY Reached 1985 community members at-risk for food insecurity through programs and 1289 members of the general public through presentations and food demonstrations Responded to well over 250 calls and requests for information and connection Engaged with 1307 practitioners, professionals and service providers, and 46 policy makers at municipal and provincial levels RECONNECTING FOOD & COMMUNITY 8

10 I WAS REMINDED ABOUT ALL THE LOCAL FOOD THAT IS AVAILABLE HERE IN CHETICAMP Cheticamp community member WHYCOCOMAGH CHETICAMP INVERNESS WAGMATCOOK FIRST NATION PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: CAPE BRETON We work with four main partner sites in Cape Breton: Inverness, Whycocomagh, Wagmatcook, and Cheticamp: Mentorship & support: developed 2 new garden committees; hosted the first ever Cape Breton Garden Coordinator s Gathering; shared the Sample Garden Budget to support more school gardens; and support the ongoing development of a Cape Breton Food Hub 10 infrastructure workshops and workparties with 154 participants Collaborated with a team on the month long 50% Local Food Club, encouraging Cape Bretoner s to source 50% of their food from local farmers and fishers during the month of September 54 food skills workshops with 170 participants 27 garden members across all sites 4 new gardens and 2 expanded gardens GARDEN HARVEST WAGMATCOOK, CAPE BRETON COOKING FROM THE GARDEN CHETICAMP, CAPE BRETON GARDEN TOOLS WAGMATCOOK FIRST NATION 9 THE OUR FOOD PROJECT

11 OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTORS We collaborated to varying degrees with 103 partners this year, many of which are listed here. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their energy and commitment to food systems change. We look forward to strengthening these partnerships and making new ones. HALIFAX: Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN) Bayers Westwood Family Resource Centre (BWFRC) Bloomfield Centre & Imagine Bloomfield Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Capital District Public Health Carleton University Citadel High School Common Good Solutions Common Roots Urban Farm (CRUF) We work with six partner sites in and around Seeds the of Diversity county: Community Carrot Co-op Sharing and Caring Club Amherst, Dalhousie Parrsboro, CampusFoodStrategyGroup Pugwash/Northshore, Sackville, Springhill, Sharing Place Food Bank River Hebert/Joggins: Dalhousie University Spryfield Urban Farm Museum Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability St. Francis Xavier University Office Mentorship & support of the Springhill Community St. Margaret s Bay Garden Transition Town Dartmouth Family Resource Centre,CFC Committee, and the Cumberland Food Action St. Catherine s Network, School Devonshire Community Garden including St. Joseph s A. Mackay School their Engage strategic Nova planning Scotia day. As well as, capacity building for St. Mary s University, ENACTUS garden ENRICH coordinators Project and Farmers Market Sustain coordinators. Ontario FarmWorks Researched, FoodARC, Mount planned Saint and began fundraising TapRoot for Farm pilot Cost-Share Vincent University The City of Halifax CSA for 2014 season, supplying subsidized food boxes Food Matters Manitoba Toronto Food Policy Council to food insecure families from local organic United farmers. Way Halifax & Moncton Food Secure Canada Foods of the Fundy Valley, N.B. Good Food Nova Scotia Goodness Grows Community Garden Groupe de Developpement Durable du Pays de Cocagne (GDDPC), N.B. Halifax Independent School Halifax Refugee Clinic Halifax Seed Library HUGS Garden Immigrant Services Association of N.S. Local Source Market Marine Team, Ecology Action Centre Meal Exchange Mulgrave Park Caring & Learning Centre Food First Newfoundland North End Community Circle Hope Blooms, North End Community Health Centre N.S. Department of Health & Wellness N.S. Farmers Market Association Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture Oxford School Community Garden Parker Street Foodbank Perennia Prescott Community Garden Veith House Vancouver Food Policy Council Wooden Monkey Restaurant Wolfville Farmers Market CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Amherst Community Garden Athol Forestry Autumn House, Women s Shelter Clean Nova Scotia Cobequid Housing Community Sector Council of N.S. Cumberland Farmers Markets Cumberland Food Action Network Cumberland Health Authority Cumberland County Municipality Farms: Broadfork, Good Thyme, Glennies, Goodlake, La Finquita, Side-by-Each, Wysmykal Guild Design Joggins Fossil Institute Maggie s Place Family Resource Centre Mannesseh Local Food Store Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture NSCC, Springhill Campus Parrsboro Garden Club Pollination Canada River Hebert Elementary School River Hebert Garden Club River Hebert Junior High Sackville Community Garden Salvation Army Town of Springhill Wild Caraway Restaurant YMCA of Cumberland CAPE BRETON: Cape Breton Local Food Hub Coady Tompkins Margaree Library Conseil des Arts de Chéticamp Farmers: Pauline Signer, Len Vasello Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) Inverness Cottage Workshop Naturally Active Victoria County New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation Public Health Regional School Boards: Strait, Cape Breton, Victoria Wagmatcook Health Centre Whycocomagh Education Centre Wagmatcook School FRONT COVER: WAGMATCOOK COMMUNITY GARDEN, CAPE BRETON BACK COVER: COMMON ROOTS URBAN FARM, HALIFAX Funding for this project has been provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of PHAC. RECONNECTING FOOD & COMMUNITY 10

12 2705 Fern Lane, Halifax NS B3K 4L THE OUR FOOD PROJECT