About the Okanagan Bioregion Food System Project

Strengthening regional food systems is often proposed to address many of our food system's challenges. However, there is a lack of data-driven information about the of economic, environmental, and social benefits and trade-offs of regional food systems. The Okanagan Bioregion Food System Project provides this information to local governments and communities to support dialogue, decision-making and planning in the Okanagan around sustainable, resilient food and food systems that nurture our communities now and into the future. 

The project explores the economic, environmental stewardship, and food self-reliance potentials of a more regionalized food system in the Okanagan. The project uses scenarios to highlight key trends and trade-offs embedded in our food system decisions.

The project was informed by community consultation and guided by an advisory committee including public health dieticians, local policymakers, and farmers. 

A series of webinars will be hosted in June to share and discuss project results.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/okanagan-bioregion-food-system-project-webinars-tickets-154745400659

Full Project Report provides an overview for broad range of audiences

Bringing the Food System Home: Report of the Okanagan Bioregion Food System Project

view online | downloadable version for screens (2 pages spreads) | downloadable version for printing (single pages)

Technical Research Reports provide details, including methods, on specific project topics

• Modelling Current and Future Food Self-reliance of the Okanagan Bioregion

• Impacts of Agricultural Production on Wildlife and Biodiversity in the Okanagan Bioregion
• Impacts of Agricultural Production on Carbon Stocks in the Okanagan Bioregion
• Nutrient Management in the Okanagan Bioregion 
• Advancing Regional Food Value Chains in the Okanagan Bioregion
• Assessing the Impact of Local Food Systems on Social Capital in the Okanagan Bioregion
• Economic Impacts of a Regionalized Food System in the Okanagan Bioregion
• Water Supply, Demand and Availability in the Okanagan Bioregion: Case Study Assessments for Trout Creek, Mission Creek and Shingle Creek  print version | web version
• Delineating the Okanagan Bioregion for Food System Study
• Okanagan Bioregion Stakeholder Feedback Summary

Policy Assessment & Policy Briefs provide details for addressing key policy gaps in the bioregion

• Food Policy Assessment in the Okanagan Bioregion

Policy Briefs

• Supporting Farmland Access & Use by Farmers Policy Brief
• Climate Change in the Food System Policy Brief
• Prioritizing Ecological Stewardship in Water Policy & Planning Brief
• Managing Organic Waste and Improving Nutrient Cycling Policy Brief
• Supporting Local Post-production Sector Development Policy Brief

Project Support

This project was undertaken by the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at KPU and generously funded by the

 

We are also grateful to the following local governments and organizations that have endorsed the project: