SPEC

Food Team

Our food systems have far reaching impacts on our health, environment, communities and well-being. 

Under Canada’s current food system, not all people have access to healthy and sustainable foods. At the same time, many who work in the food system struggle to make ends meet and steward the lands that feed us. Meanwhile, our agriculture and livestock industries currently make up 10% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and pose a major threat to biodiversity. 

SPEC’s Food Team envisions a new food culture in Metro Vancouver in which food that is sustainably and justly produced is attainable for all through means that conserve biodiversity and ecological functions on farmlands, reduce food waste, strengthen and revitalize Indigenous food systems, and support community climate action and resilience. 

To reach this vision, SPEC’s Food Team works through community programs that engage children, teachers, communities, farmers, NGOs, vulnerable populations, businesses and government officials in learning about and supporting sustainable food systems. We envision and advocate for progressive policies and practices, while influencing individual actions through awareness and education.

Meetings

Join us at our monthly meetings to discuss ongoing projects and topics in sustainable food systems and food security.

  • Second Tuesday of the Month
  • 5:30-7:00pm
  • Virtual via Google Meet

Current Projects

School Gardens Program

Food gardens and literacy education for school communities.

Ecosystem Services

Increasing resiliency and ecosystem services for small-scale farmers in Metro Vancouver.

Farm-to-Plate Marketplace

Virtual marketplace for fresh, local produce through an online ordering platform and weekly pick-ups. 

Nature School

Online learning hub for students (K-7) to learn about our growing environment.

Food Security

Community projects supporting food security and neighbourhood resiliency.

Yard Garden Harvest Project

A project by Little Mountain Neighborhood House providing organic foods grown by neighboring volunteers to community members in need.

Meet the Team Leads

Sharlene Singh

Co-Chair, School Gardens Program Coordinator

Art Bomke

Co-Chair

We need your help to deliver more growing, farming, and food education to Metro Vancouver.