JustFOOD: Action Plan for the Halifax Region
JustFOOD: An Action Plan for the Halifax Region
The municipality is committed to promoting community food security. In December 2019, the municipality strengthened its partnership with the Halifax Food Policy Alliance and committed to co-lead the development of JustFOOD. View the report that kicked-off this work.
The JustFOOD Action Plan will work with residents and stakeholders to develop “grown in Halifax” solutions. As the first food strategy in our Region, it will create a comprehensive plan to guide actions to improve food security and strengthen our local food system, with clear roles for all and the resources needed for positive change. JustFOOD is centered on food justice and building on the Halifax Food Charter, a call to action for us to work together towards a Region with a just and sustainable food system, where no one is hungry and everyone has access to healthy food that they enjoy.
A first step in developing JustFOOD was to test the draft plan framework and for you to tell us what the plan should achieve. In October 2020, the JustFOOD team provided an update to Regional Council which included a draft Framework and engagement plan for the project, view more details.
In March 2021, JustFOOD hosted Workshop #1 for those working in or supporting the food system. The workshop tested draft food system goals, moving towards action. Here’s what we learned from the workshop. In addition to great ideas for action, these workshops resulted in changes to the Plan Framework and the creation of the Story of JustFOOD Halifax (see sidebar for the Story).
JustFOOD Food Systems Workshop #2:
Together we are building on shared knowledge and strengths, to identify actions to address gaps and strengthen our food system. Everyone was welcome, even if they did not attend Workshop #1. This workshop focused on ideas for actions to be explored and evolved through engagement and research through the summer and into the fall. Participants in Workshop #2 considered what the JustFOOD Action Plan should achieve and collaborated on what’s needed to make this a reality as we work together towards positive change. There were two workshop sessions following the same format on Thursday June 17, 2021 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. & Friday, June 18, 2021 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Here's what we learned from Workshop #2, which will included in the key actions and strategies for change as the Plan develops.
Contact us about upcoming workshops, hosting an engagement or civic dinner, and more ways to be involved in JustFOOD
Food Experiences in the Halifax Region During Covid-19 Survey While COVID-19 affects us all, impacts vary depending on the resources you can access. This time is uncovering strengths, vulnerabilities, and room for growth in our food system. As work begins on JustFOOD, we want to learn from this time so we can improve access to good food and be more resilient and better prepared for future events. So we've developed a short survey and would appreciate hearing how your food experiences have changed, such as, new ways you’ve discovered to access food; new food skills like learning to or spending more time gardening, cooking; and challenges to the way you normally access food. This survey will be live for the next few months to learn more about experiences during the height of the pandemic and as a new “normal” slowly emerges.
Sharing Your Story
Do you have a food story from this COVID-19 time you’d like to share... having fun with a new recipe, making new connections in your community through food, discovering a great food service, etc… Feel free to submit stories, videos, images, and other ways of telling your story. The pandemic has affected members of our community in many ways and it is helpful to hear about each other’s food related stories and experiences during this time.
