North Island College was selected as one of eight organizations working nationally to increase the supply of local food into public institutions across Canada. Students at the Comox Valley campus were the first to experience the supply chain shift as the FEED (Food, Environment and Economic Development) Comox Valley project got started.
Project Dates: August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2016
Funding Amount: $100,000
Project Summary
NIC food service provider Custom Gourmet and Vancouver Island Farm Products worked together to develop and maximize a local supply chain, and offered a seasonally adjusted menu in the cafeteria. We also worked with Island Health to better understand the challenges faced by the hospitals when trying to source local food.
Key Accomplishments:
- Provided fresh produce, within 24 hours of harvesting, to North Island College, St. Joseph’s General Hospital, and Glacier View Lodge.
- Was featured at the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets Annual Conference
- Island Farmers’ Alliance is now focusing on social public procurement and institutional supply chains with a view to expanding the FEED Comox Valley model across the island.
- Hosted a day trip to the Comox Valley for Canadian Environmental Grant Makers Network delegates.
Research Team
Sandra Hamilton, Lead Researcher
Community Partners
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Custom Gourmet - Custom Gourmet provides high-quality, locally sourced food to the Comox Valley.
- Vancouver Island Farm Products
Sponsors
About the Institutional Food Program
The JW McConnell Family Foundation has partnered with Food Secure Canada to provide funding to ten projects across Canada that play a critical role in changing food systems.
Organizations include hospitals, long-term care facilities, universities and schools, Through the Institutional Food Program, these organizations will help change policies and practices to provide greater sustainability and healthy food options for their communities.
Contact CARTI
Naomi Tabata
Manager, Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation
