Taking Back Our Food Chain Project Partners

In keeping with the goal to increase access to healthy, affordable foods in northern communities, the following partners have worked together to develop the forum agenda; the development of the follow-up processes and plans; and evaluation of success of the forum.  In addition, the partners have brought the following to the planning process.

Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority has ensured Indigenous evaluation methods are incorporated. SLFNHA will also assist with building capacity in the Far North communities through supporting local programming on partnership initiatives; and education. This initiative connects with SLFNHA’s mission to provide services, advocacy and leadership in the health of Anishinaabe people across the Sioux Lookout region by strengthening partnerships and re-powering communities.  Furthermore, it aligns with the work of the Approaches to Community Wellbeing to provide education and health promotion around healthy eating.

Northwestern Health Unit has provided the support of a Registered Dietitian and Epidemiologist for the planning process.  This initiative connects with the health unit goal of healthy lifestyles, longer lives lived well; and mandate to address issues related to health equity and the social determinants of health.  It fits in to the NWHU Chronic Disease Prevention plan that includes action on food security, local initiatives, and food literacy/food skill development.  NWHU also is coordinating the rollout of the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program to 15 First Nation communities in the Far North, with the plan to reach 2 additional communities in 2019.

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout Economic Development Manager is the lead officer for the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord and the Regional Distribution Centre and has assisted in applying the guiding principles cited in the Accord during the project development process.  The Municipality contributed office space for the event coordinators in the Municipal Economic Development Office, which has facilitated connection with members of Far North communities who often visit the office.

This initiative connects with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s mission to improve, promote and protect the health and well-being of the population in the District of Thunder Bay.  With TBDHU’s Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program, 11 First Nation schools will be reached in 2018 with the plan to reach 6 additional schools in 2019.

This initiative is in line with Local Food and Farm Co-ops aim to encourage collaboration to support increased capacity, distribution and consumption of Ontario produced foods to build stronger food systems.