Food Systems & Biodiversity
What we grow, share, and eat shapes the health of our communities and the planet.
Healthy, resilient food systems are essential to thriving communities and to a planet living within ecological limits. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution all converge on how we grow, share, and access food, and not everyone experiences that impact equally.
At SPEC, we work to close the gap between concern and action by creating accessible, hands-on ways for people to take part in building more sustainable food systems. Our programs support small-scale farmers in strengthening biodiversity and ecosystem health on the land, bring food-growing and environmental education into schools and communities, and help cultivate the local food resilience our region needs for the future. Rooted in collaboration and a commitment to reconciliation, this work turns individual learning into collective action, one garden, one farm, and one community at a time.
Current Programs
School Gardens Program
Food gardens and environmental education for K-12 schools and communities.
Farmland Ecosystem Services Program
Increasing resiliency and ecosystem services for small-scale farmers.
Past Projects
Supporting Local Food Systems
In 2024, SPEC, with support from Metro Vancouver, created an infographic called Supporting Local Food Systems. It shows a map of the Metro Vancouver region alongside highlights of SPEC’s three main food programs:
School Gardens Program (green): Helps children learn by growing food at school, gives access to fresh, healthy food, and supports biodiversity on school grounds.
Farmland Ecosystem Services Program (blue): Works with small farms to improve soil health, protect biodiversity, share knowledge, and adapt to climate change.
Farm-to-Plate Marketplace (red): A community-run, pay-what-you-can online farmers market that supports local food producers, builds trust, and strengthens communities.
The map is marked with colored dots showing where these programs are making an impact across the Lower Mainland. Each color matches one of the programs.
With simple illustrations and a clear layout, the infographic makes it easy to see how SPEC is helping schools, farmers, and communities work together for a healthier, more sustainable food system.
