Food Charters: Alberta Examples (Food Security Systems Change)

A Food Charter brings a “vision of values, principles and priorities...about the food that a county, a city or a region consider most important…Rather than a policy document, a charter is a guide for making decisions intended to improve the local food system for all residents and establish a shared vision for food security. Once adopted by the City Council, and /or by the municipal department in charge of food related issues it will help to frame food planning interventions" (page 1).

Essentially, these charters drive visions, actions, and strategies for civically engaged food systems. Food charters often include: advocating for nutritious, affordable, accessible, and culturally relevant food for all community members, recognizing the fundamental need for food security, acknowledging that food and food production is a vital component of a community’s economic development framework, and, symbolizes a unified and cohesive celebration of food, cultures and community.

Some things that Food Charters can advocate for in policy:

• Indigenous Food sovereignty
• Food Access- grocery stores, food deserts, markets, local vendors
• Food education/Food Skills- Free workshops, cooking and eating education, gardening education
• Community Gardens
• Food Dignity- Food banks, Food boxes, Free pantries
• Barriers to Food Access
• Agriculture
• Food and Economy
• Food Governance
• Food and Environment
• and more.

Current examples from Alberta include:

• Bow Valley Food Charter
• Community Food Connections Association (Medicine Hat)

Other Resources

• Community Food Connections Association Food Charter (foodconnections.ca)
• Community Food Centres Canada (cfccanada.ca)
• What is a Food Charter- Deakin University What is food charter - Food & Hospitality @ Deakin
• Food Charters in Canadian Cities
• Developing a Vision and a Food Charter Sustainable Food Places UK