The Halifax Food Policy Alliance is working to build a Healthy, Just and Sustainable food system for the Halifax Region. Together, we are working to achieve our vision: Halifax: where no one is hungry and everyone has nutritious food that they enjoy, for generations to come, sustained by local producers.

In December 2019, HRM committed to co-lead the development of JustFOOD: action plan for the Halifax Region in partnership with the HFPA. 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 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 (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. 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. Stay TUNED for the “What We Heard Report” coming later this summer & more engagement opportunities to come!

Contact us about upcoming workshops, hosting an engagement or civic dinner, and more ways to be involved in JustFOOD

HFPA Milestones:

2021: Phase 1 Engagements begin with 2 Virtual Workshops. Workshop #1 tested and refined the JustFOOD Food Systems Goals which resulted in Framework 2.0 and the Story of JustFOOD. Workshop #2 identified actions for What JustFOOD should achieve and how this might become a reality. Engagement will continue over the Summer and Fall, identifying actions and resources needed to bring JustFOOD to life.

2020: Soft launch of JustFOOD with Food Experiences During COVID-19 survey, JustFOOD Supports for Food Production at Home, and Emergency food hampers through the Mobile Food Market. The JustFOOD Framework is drafted and an Engagement Plan developed for Phase 1 Engagements.

2019:  Halifax Regional Council endorsed the HRM Food Charter in principle and committed to supporting the development of JustFOOD: an Action Plan for the Halifax Region, in partnership with the HFPA!  A Food Action Plan uses a food lens to coordinate policy & action and supports diverse participation particularly among underrepresented voices.

2018-2019:  Partnered with Central Zone Community Health Boards to host two Acting Together for Food Policy Workshops and build capacity to understand and influence food policy.

2017: Developed the HRM Food Charter, a vision for food built by the community. In 2017 we partnered with Halifax Public Libraries to host Public Engagement events around the draft food charter.

2016: Supported on-the-ground action as HFPA members partnered with HRM to co-lead the launch of the Mobile Food Market.

2015: Produced and published Food Counts, the first report of its kind for HRM, which provides a comprehensive picture of the local food system.

2013: Community members and organizations, supported by staff from the Ecology Action Centre, Halifax Regional Municipality and the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Public Health identify the need for a Food Strategy for HRM. This led to the development of a Food Strategy Working Group which later became the Halifax Food Policy Alliance.