Who we are
We are a not for profit organization directed by the passion of volunteer members who want to ensure a healthy and sustainable food system across Greater Sudbury.
We connect people from across the food system including areas such as farming, food processing, environment and health.
Why we were formed
In 2004, the City of Greater Sudbury and the Sudbury & District Health Unit, now Public Health Sudbury & Districts, endorsed the City of Greater Sudbury Food Charter, one of the first food charters in North America. In 2013, local community leaders and stakeholders formed the Greater Sudbury Food Policy Council to help move the Charter forward and address the many significant food security needs of our community.
Our Vision for Greater Sudbury
The Greater Sudbury Food Policy Council (GSFPC) envisions a Greater Sudbury, as outlined by the Food Charter, where:
- all residents have access to adequate, affordable, safe, nutritious and culturally acceptable food;
- there exists a financially viable, equitable, environmentally sustainable food system (including production, processing, distribution, marketing and waste disposal); and
- area citizens are knowledgeable about the food system and its impact on their individual lives and community.
Our Mission
The Greater Sudbury Food Policy Council (GSFPC) will:
- support the development of this equitable, vibrant and sustainable food system for the City of Greater Sudbury through research, advocacy and the dissemination of knowledge of food issues
- foster collaboration and communication amongst other food system stakeholders including business, community organizations, individuals and government
Our Successes
Through the work of the GSFPC and its extensive community network, a food strategy was prioritized to guide the community towards a more equitable, vibrant and sustainable food system. The Greater Sudbury Food Strategy was launched in the fall of 2017 and is a guiding document for community growth and change. It describes five themes vital to a healthy community:
- Healthy Food Access and Literacy
- Growing Food (not for profit)
- Forest and Freshwater Foods
- Food Retail, Service and Tourism
- Agriculture and Food Processing
Each theme outlines specific goals and action strategies that are needed to achieve these goals. The strategy will help bring together citizens, businesses, organizations, and municipal government to develop ideas, projects and policies to strengthen Greater Sudbury’s food system.
Our Team
Our Council has voting members who represent a certain area of food system expertise, and resource members who provide support on behalf of their organization. Both voting and resource members represent different sectors of Sudbury’s food system:
- Academia
- Advocacy
- Agriculture
- Anti-poverty
- Child & Youth Nutrition
- Economic Development
- Emergency Food Providers
- Environment & Sustainability
- First Nations
- Government
- Healthcare
- Institutions
- Labour
- Land Use
- Public Health
- Supply Chain
We are looking for new Council members (both voting and resource) from a variety of sectors. Contact us if you or someone you know would be interested in joining us!
2023 Voting Members
Mairi Best, Co-Chair
Rachelle Niemela
Johnny Kashama Batabela
Stuart McCall
Jackie Edwards
Travis Olding
Jaz Hackett
2023 Resource Members
Better Beginnings Better Futures, Student Nutrition Program: Angele Young
City of Greater Sudbury: Barb McDougall-Murdoch, Jennifer Babin-Fenske (Co-Chair), Keith Crigger, Vivienne Martin
FedNor: Jenny Fortier
Flour Mill Urban Farm: Fionna Tough
Greater Sudbury Public Library: Colleen Burns
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines: Kim Murch
NOSM U: Joseph Leblanc
Ontario Ministry Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs: Pierrette Desrochers
Public Health Sudbury & Districts: Bridget King
Rethink Green: Leigha Benford
Sudbury Community Garden Network: Leigh Anne Cecchetto
Sudbury District Nurse Practitioners Clinics: Sarah Gatien
Sudbury Shared Harvest: Carrie Regenstrief