Updated January 2023
We wish to acknowledge the original custodians of this land and pay respect to the Elders — past, present, and future — for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture, and the hopes of Indigenous peoples. We recognize that the Thunder Bay and Area Food Strategy operates on the traditional land of the Fort William First Nation — signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. We acknowledge the political representatives of Indigenous Nations in northern Ontario: the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Treaty #3, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and independent First Nations and the many Metis historic settlements in the region.
FOOD ACCESS
Unprecedented inflation and rising costs of food, housing, transportation, etc.; coupled with economic uncertainty and rising interest rates means that many more people are struggling to put enough food on the table.
FOOD PRODUCTION
With the exception of the supply-managed dairy industry, there is limited producer participation in longer value chains in this area. Most local food is sold directly to customers.
FOREST & FRESHWATER FOODS
Forest and freshwater foods like blueberries, mushrooms, tea, wild rice, fiddleheads, medicinal plants, wild fish and game have been integral to our region’s food system for thousands of years.
FOOD INFRASTRUCTURE
Despite its value to the local economy, by and large, our food supply chain is not designed to accommodate local food and Thunder Bay’s food infrastructure reflects this.
FOOD PROCUREMENT
Institutional procurement of local food in this area has largely been driven by the efforts of the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay, which has met its goal of spending 30% of its raw food budget with food from the region.
SCHOOL FOOD ENVIRONMENTS
Since 2015, local school boards have invested significant resources into developing more culinary programs and classes to build student food literacy skills.
URBAN AGRICULTURE
Through continued participation in urban agricultural activities, people and organizations are showing their interest in local action to increase access to fresh food, enhance the environment and build a stronger sense of community.