Food Council Launches Local Food Asset Map

Charlottetown Food Council Launches Local Food Asset Map
Posted on 03/04/2021
The Charlottetown Food Council has launched the City’s first Food Asset Map, an interactive tool in the form of a virtual map that identifies resources within the food system, such as retailers of local food, emergency food providers, and community gardens.

The map is available online at www.charlottetown.ca/foodmap and can be sorted by City ward, section of the Charlottetown Food Charter, or by asset category such as Buying, Growing, Learning, and Produce and Distribution.

As part of the launch, the Charlottetown Food Council is looking for feedback on the map, including resources that could be added. A form to submit feedback is available on the Food Council webpage.

“We’re excited to be launching this map that not only can serve as a resource for the community, but it can also help the Food Council and other stakeholders and organizations better understand the city’s existing food system so we can all work together to identify opportunities for improvement,” said Bernie Plourde, Chair of the Charlottetown Food Council. “This is really a living tool that will require updates as assets change and grow, so we’re looking forward to ongoing public engagement and submissions to continuously improve the resource for everyone.”

City Council established the Charlottetown Food Council in July of 2018. It is an advisory board made up of volunteers with experience and expertise in various food related industries. Each of the members bring a unique perspective to the table and together they take a collaborative approach to improving the local food system.

The Charlottetown Food Asset Map held a series of virtual Community Conversations About Food in November/December 2020 held by the Food Council to seek early feedback on the asset map and engage the public on their opinions relating to the local food system. Each conversation featured interviews with panelists, breakout room discussions on the asset map, and an opportunity to engage with panelists during a question period. The recordings of these conversations can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel or website.

“There’s a reason that PEI is Canada’s Food Island; we have a lot of food-related strengths and resources, especially right here in Charlottetown,” said Councillor Mitchell Tweel, Chair of the City’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, which oversees the Charlottetown Food Council. “This important project by the Charlottetown Food Council really identifies those resources, brings them all together in a cohesive and interactive way, and gives everyone an opportunity to improve it over time through future partnerships, policies, and projects.”

To learn more about the City’s sustainability projects, the Food Council and the Charlottetown Food Asset Map, visit: www.charlottetown.ca/FoodCouncil