Food Systems
Categories:
- Healthy places and spaces,
- Collaboration,
- Healthy public policy,
- Social determinants of health,
- Equity,
- Healthy eating,
Municipal policies that facilitate convenient access to safe, affordable, nutritious foods and less access to unhealthy foods can encourage healthier eating patterns. Municipalities can implement bylaws to protect agricultural land and build the capacity of local food systems to support a healthy food system. Community food programs like collective kitchens and community gardens can support social connections within the community.
Municipalities and community groups have accomplished these initiatives by working together:
- Read how communities made changes to encourage healthy eating in recreation centres here: Communities ChooseWell.
- Edmonton amended the Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw to permit urban beekeeping.
- Municipal programs like Strathcona County’s Community Garden program can help support a healthy food system and social connections.
