Communities always need access to food. Having robust and resilient food systems supports public health, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Our food systems directly impact peoples’ lives and the health of the planet. Food systems include the way food is produced, processed, distributed, consumed and disposed of.
For the most part, Canada’s food systems are strong, but unexpected events often reveal shortcomings. Having more control over the production of food just may be the key to increasing our resilience.
Landmark events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed and deepened inequities;
extreme weather in the form of floods, fire, drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters; and even wars on other continents have contributed to a global food crisis, according to Agriculture Canada. Rising inflation has also added pressure, straining many Canadians’ budgets to the point where they are missing meals, and food bank use has drastically increased.
No longer can we always rely on the same external food suppliers we usually have access to. Sometimes, large producers have reduced yields, which not only decreases supply but drives up costs across the supply chain. When communities can cultivate, harvest and process some of their own food, they are much better equipped to handle unexpected challenges.
Food production is a combination of both financial and environmental costs. However, food produced locally may have a much smaller impact on the environment, as it typically costs less in transportation and fuel, processing and packaging. Local farms are also more likely to be rooted in the community, support sustainable and equitable practices and create local job opportunities.
The concept of food sovereignty
La Via Campesina is an international organization of farmers that was founded in 1993. It is made up of 182 organizations across 81 member countries.
The group developed the concept of food sovereignty as an alternative to the prevailing neoliberal model which views food strictly as something that can be bought and sold (or simply as something that we sell for profit). What it offers is a just and equitable model for small farmers around the world.
They define food sovereignty as peoples’ right to healthy and culturally appropriate food that is produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, as well as their right to control and decide how food is produced and shared within their communities.
Farmers at the International Forum for Food Sovereignty have expanded on this definition to include the following seven pillars:
1. Focuses on food for people
Food is more than a commodity. Peoples’ need for—and right to—food must be at the centre of policies.
2. Builds knowledge and skills
We need to build on traditional knowledge, using research to support this knowledge and pass it to future generations. We also need to reject technologies that undermine or contaminate local food systems.
3. Works with nature
We need to optimize the contribution of ecosystems and improve resilience with diverse agroecological production and harvesting methods that improve ecosystem resilience and adaptation, especially in the face of climate change.
4. Values food providers
We need to support sustainable livelihoods for farmers and everyone else involved in the food production or harvesting, and we need to respect their work.
5. Localizes food systems
We need to reduce the distance between food providers and consumers, to reject dumping and inappropriate food aid, and resist dependency on remote and unaccountable corporations for food and seed.
6. Puts control locally
We need to place control over food systems in the hands of local food providers and reject the privatization of natural resources. We also need to recognize the need to inhabit and share territories.
7. Food is sacred
Food is a gift of life not to be squandered. It cannot be commodified.
Why food sovereignty is so important
Even as a fundamental necessity, being able to buy enough food is not a reality for many people. Financial supports provided through social assistance (provincial welfare and disability programs) are inadequate and a serious problem for working Canadians too. This is due to low wages, precarious jobs and providing for multiple people with a single income.
“According to Statistics Canada, prices have gone up by an astounding 20 per cent from 2020 to 2023, and 23 per cent of the population is food insecure. Due to historical and ongoing impacts of colonization and systemic racism, food insecurity affects marginalized groups the most, 40 per cent of Black and 37 per cent of Indigenous people are food insecure. The numbers on skyrocketing food prices and food insecurity are clear: we have a crisis on our hands. With climate change, Canada’s fragile food supply chain is only going to get worse.” (Food Secure Canada)
Working towards food sovereignty as a goal helps support individuals and communities directly, giving them the tools and knowledge they need to grow and harvest their own food. This can also relieve some of their reliance on the global food supply chain, where principles of sustainability and equity are often overlooked.
The Indigenous perspective
Food sovereignty is a long-held concept practised by Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island since time immemorial. Historically and presently, there continues to be restrictions to how Indigenous peoples can harvest and gather traditional foods by government policies and ongoing efforts of colonization. In the face of these challenges, many communities have worked hard to revitalize and preserve their traditional food systems. They draw on ecological knowledge and engage in community-driven initiatives to manage and restore food sources, employing practices that are self-determined and sustainable.
These initiatives support Indigenous food sovereignty in our community:
Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre (SKHC)
SKHC is an Aboriginal Health Access Centre, located in Sudbury, that promotes the health of all Indigenous people. They offer a range of traditional programs, such as their youth hunt camp and family fishing programs, which teach the values of respectful hunting and fishing, along with how to clean and cook their harvest. They also operate a wild food bank, which provides registered clients with wild meats and traditional medicines. These foods and medicines are generously donated by community hunters and gatherers who are eager to share their harvests with those who may not otherwise have access to them.
This grassroots, Indigenous-led organization is committed to fostering self-determination for Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario. They do so through transformative food system initiatives like their Self-Determined Household Support Program, which helps increase a household’s/family’s ability to grow, hunt, harvest, process and store food.
Interested in learning more about Indigenous food sovereignty and the work that’s happening in our community?
Join the Sudbury Food (in)Security Committee on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Greater Sudbury Public Library’s Main Branch on Mackenzie Street for an Indigenous Food Sovereignty Event. The event will feature acclaimed author Waubgeshig Rice, who will be reading a section from his book, Moon of the Turning Leaves, followed by a Q and A session with the author.
The event will also feature a panel discussion with local experts Jordan Assinewe from Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, Quinn Meawasige from Gaagige Zaagibigaa, and Dr. Joseph LeBlanc from NOSM University who will share their insights on Indigenous food sovereignty. Everyone is welcome to join the event, and light refreshments will be provided.
The Sudbury Food (in)Security Committee is an ad hoc group made up of members from non-profit organizations, grassroots initiatives, and individual advocates who work to address food insecurity and end poverty in our region. The aim of the group is to improve understanding of how food insecurity impacts people in Greater Sudbury and to explore opportunities for organizations and institutions to collaborate to make real, substantive change to those in poverty.
As part of the goal of raising awareness about food insecurity, the group has started a series of community events around the theme of food justice. Their first event was hosted in November 2024 at Sudbury Indie Cinema with a screening of It’s Basic, a documentary that highlights the successes of basic income pilot projects that were launched in the United States. The event had a great turnout, and they hope to continue building on the community’s interest with their second event on February 13 and other future events.
Want to support food sovereignty initiatives in our community? Here are some actions you can take:
Explore activities that connect you closer to the food you eat
Whether it’s gardening, fishing, foraging, cooking or preserving, there are many skills we can develop to help sustain ourselves and future generations. Looking for inspiration or have questions? Join a community Facebook group focused on your interest!
Support our local growers and producers
Buying locally grown or produced foods is a sure way to support our local food system. Try switching out one or more of your kitchen staple items or produce with something sourced locally.
Attend food-related community events
Events are a great way to get inspired and connect with others who share an interest in supporting our local food system. Seedy Sunday, an annual seed swapping event happening on February 9, 2025, is a perfect example. To see more upcoming events, check out the Environmental Event Calendar.
Engage in restoration or conservation projects
Actively contributing to the health of our environment helps ensure that natural resources are preserved for future generations. Initiatives like planting native wildflowers for pollinators and stocking lakes with fish, as the Chelmsford Fish and Game Association does, are a couple great examples of projects you can get involved in.
Join a community group
Achieving food sovereignty requires a collective effort. Support change by connecting with others who are advocating for and working on local food-related projects or activities. There are several local community gardens where you can even grow your own food.
Learn more about the City of Greater Sudbury and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and helping the community achieve its net-zero goal by 2050.
If you have a project you’d like the City to highlight, contact Jennifer Babin-Fenske at [email protected].
RESOURCES
- Food Access Map – City of Greater Sudbury
- The Food Policy for Canada – Agriculture Canada
- Zero-profit food grocery stores - Op-ed, Food Secure Canada
- Gaagige Zaagibigaa
- Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre
- Sudbury Shared Harvest
- Sudbury Community Garden Network