Local Food Systems

Food assets are tangible or intangible food-related resources available to residents. Part of a broader local food system, some of the food assets you might find around parks and recreation services in the city include: 

• Resources and amenities such as community kitchens, markets, and concessions
• Programming and events that teach people to grow, prepare, and understand food
• Food access programs that help address food insecurity 
• Cultural hubs such as community and learning gardens
• Human resource, partnerships, and funding for food services and programs
• Food bearing plants in orchards and gardens

Food and culture gardens are community supported gardens that provide space for individuals and groups to grow food, herbs, medicines, fibres, and cultural materials. They provide a space where people can come together to learn about growing cycles, share food and culture, and build community. 

Food and culture gardens are categorized into four types:

1. Community gardens
2. 50%+ collective community gardens
3. Learning and culture gardens
4. Indigenous-run gardens

In VanPlay, we committed to having all new food and culture gardens on Park Board managed land having at least 50% of total area dedicated to collective food growing.

Find a garden near you

Culture and Learning Gardens are collective gardens that focus on food systems knowledge sharing, arts and cultural sharing, or both. As of 2021 there are a total of ten. Check out the Local Food System Action Plan PDF file (39 MB) for more information. 

• Concession strategy - We are serving up a fresh strategy to improve and diversify food and beverage options at our concessions.
• Park food vending permits - Permit, application, and general information for park food vendors and food cart operators.
• Sidewalk activities - There are a number of opportunities for kiosks, carts, and other retail businesses on City sidewalks.

• Food, cooking, and gardening lessons and classes - Use the “food, cooking and gardening” search filter to find food-related programming near you.
• Community kitchens - There are many community kitchens across the city in neighbourhood houses, community centres, churches, and social agencies.
• Sustenance Festival External website, opens in new tab - Since 2009, the Sustenance Festival has served Vancouver as a platform for community groups, artists, and social service organizations to celebrate and push the boundaries of food innovation.

• Food markets - Farmers markets and community food markets sell a selection of local foods.
• Food assets in fieldhouses - Check out the Fieldhouse Activation Program for fieldhouses dedicated to local food and culture.

• Green grants - The Greenest City Fund supports your projects that help achieve our Greenest City goals for Vancouver.
• Neighbourhood Matching Fund - Vancouver's Neighbourhood Matching Fund supports community efforts to make creative improvements to public land.
• Sustainable food systems grants - These grants provide funding to non-profit organizations building sustainable food systems at the neighbourhood scale.
• Indigenous healing and wellness grants - These grants provide funding to support Elder Services Programs providing traditional, spiritual, and cultural healing and wellness activities.
• Urban agriculture capital improvements - Apply for one-time funding for urban agriculture capital improvements to be completed in the 2022 growing season.