Growing Together
Collaborators
THE GOOD FOOD NETWORK
All the below organizations are part of the Good Food Network. This is a cross sectoral network of actors from across the region working collectively on food systems change.
CRFAIR
The Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable provides backbone support for the Good Food Network. We work to mobilize and connect efforts to develop healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems in the Capital Region.
LIFECYCLES
We believe that food is at the heart of thriving, diverse communities and a healthy planet. Our work creates learning experiences that transform and strengthen our connections with each other and the natural world.
GT URBAN FARMERS
We are a group of people who live or work in the Gorge Tillicum community. Strengthening community bonds through activities relating to elements of local and other food systems (production, preparation, consumption, etc.).
THE COMPOST EDUCATION CENTRE
We are a non-profit organization with charitable status providing composting and ecological gardening education to CRD residents.
FOOD ECO DISTRICT
The Food Eco District is a local non-profit that is working to create the first sustainable dining district in the country. The District is fast becoming a destination for sustainable food, full of amazing eateries and a growing number of edible gardens. By partnering with the finest restaurants in the district and beyond, FED is planting food, eating local, and growing a movement.
GROWING CHEFS
Too many kids don’t know where food comes from or have access to healthy, whole food. They're on a mission to change that. Their programming engages kids in the entire food cycle—digging in the soil, planting seeds, harvesting vegetables, learning basic cooking skills, composting, and connecting with the earth.
FOODSHARE NETWORK
The Food Share Network is an innovative umbrella that enhances food security in the Capital Region through collaboration and cooperation among food banks, community centres, donors and other participating organizations. Participating organizations share the common values of empowerment, dignity and respect, food and community, stewardship, and collective impact.
POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP CANADA
Pollinators are essential for food production and for natural ecosystems. We work to protect pollinators and their habitat through research, education and outreach, habitat creation, policy advising, and collaboration.
GULF ISLANDS FOOD CO-OP
GIFC is a non-profit co-op, focused on supporting the food producers, food groups, eaters, and local food resilience of the islands of Pender, Mayne, Galiano, and Saturna. This is within the beautiful Coast Salish W̱SÁNEĆ traditional territories where we are grateful to be. We offer free or low-cost services to island food producers of all types and sizes (e.g. commercial and non-commercial, gardeners, livestock producers, non-Indigenous and Indigenous, fishers, value-added sellers and more). The main goal is to help increase food production capacity, and to encourage community members to buy local food.
GROWING YOUNG FARMERS SOCIETY
The Growing Young Farmers School Program is suitable for learners of all ages and abilities, from preschoolers to high school students. We combine theoretical teaching in the classroom, with hands on practical learning in gardens located on school grounds or nearby. Our program emphasizes the importance of local, organic, sustainable food sources and teaches children and youth how to grow healthy produce - and encourages them to share their knowledge with their families and community.
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF BC
phabc.org
The Public Health Association of BC is a voluntary, non-profit, non-government, member driven organization that provides leadership to promote health, well-being and social equity. We fulfill our mission through advocacy, collaboration, education and research and do this work though the spectrum of public health practice; including prevention, promotion, protection and policy.
YOUNG AGRARIANS
Young Agrarians (YA) is a farmer2farmer resource network that delivers programs and services year round to support the next generation of ecological food growers in Canada. YA offers online and offline tools, resources, programs (such as the BC Land Matching Program and the Business Mentorship Network) and community building. Check out the U-MAP, YA’s online resource map, to find resources as well as Garden Share opportunities.
ESQUIMALT FARMERS MARKET
The Esquimalt Farmers Market was born as an idea in 2014 and launched our first season in May 2015. Our market is here to serve the community of Esquimalt and surrounding areas, and is dedicated to promoting healthy and local living, building relationships and encouraging environmental and economic sustainability in Esquimalt.
VICTORIA URBAN FOOD TABLE
The Urban Food Table helps encourage the City of Victoria in supporting healthy food systems within city boundaries and supporting initiatives within the Capital Region District. The UFT is a group of organizations and individuals who are passionate about food, community, and a resilient and equitable food system.
BC ECO SEED CO-OP
The BC Eco Seed Co-op is a producers' co-operative of 17 seed growers providing BC-grown vegetable, herb, grain, flower, and cover crop seed that is ecologically grown, open-pollinated, regionally selected, and GE-free. Our mission is to increase the quantity and improve the quality of ecological and organic seed grown in BC. From packets to bulk quantities, the co-op has seeds for all growers.