COVID-19 has deeply impacted our community. It has disrupted social and economic structures, exacerbating food insecurity and many other system-level issues that Our Food Future aims to resolve.
During this challenging time, we pivoted our work to include a COVID-19 recovery plan: Grow Back Better. This 18-month strategy supports our agri-food and social benefit sectors today and creates a more sustainable and resilient food system to help us better withstand future emergencies.
Our 10-point plan, and subsequent programs, is structured around three key priorities.
- Increasing access to affordable, nutritious food
- Supporting new and existing food businesses
- Strengthening regional food system resiliency
Grow Back Better is leveraging $1.6 million in funding from Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge and supports the City’s economic and social response to COVID-19.
Programs
Support Emergency Food Home Delivery
The SEED is providing those most impacted by COVID-19 with immediate access to nutritious food. You can support our community today through our new Harve$t Impact Community Donation Platform.
Kids Get Growing Gardening Kit
In partnership with the YMCA-YWCA of Guelph, we provided free gardening kits to over 700 kids in Guelph-Wellington. Check out some of the kids stories.
Build-your-own Gardening Kit (PDF download)
Guelph Farmers’ Market Online
Find some of your favourite Guelph Farmers’ Market vendors on our online storefront. We're helping connect food producers and consumers on the Open Food Network, an open source, not-for-profit e-commerce platform.
You can still find links to market vendors not on the Open Food Network on the Guelph Farmers’ Market website.
Seeding Our Food Future – Micro-grant project
Seeding Our Food Future provided grants ($5,000 each) and training for 40 new and existing Guelph-Wellington food system businesses, not-for-profits and social enterprises.
Watch this video to learn about some Seeding Our Food Future participants
Guelph-Wellington Urban Agriculture Challenge
The Guelph-Wellington Urban Agriculture Challenge is offering $102,000 in funding to implement ideas and projects that will support circular economic recovery and accelerate food production, getting more food to the table with less environmental impact. Learn more.
Resources
City of Guelph COVID-19 Response
County of Wellington COVID-19 Response
Cultivating connection and community: Grow Back Better