Food Systems + Food Security Survey

The role and importance of local food production in Prince Rupert may not be immediately evident given the lack of land suitable for traditional agriculture. The City does not have a history of agriculture. However, local food has been an important part of the history of this place. Local First Nations still harvest marine and terrestrial foods. The waters around the community have provided food for the Tsimshian people since time immemorial, and continue to support food gathering from both indigenous and non-indigenous residents and visitors.  

Prince Rupert’s urban past was built on the boom of the commercial fishing and canning industry in the early twentieth century. While the commercial fishing industry has declined, there is still potential and interest in this industry. For example, the Coastal Shellfish company has recently developed a scallop farm using modern technology and aquaculture best practices with the traditional knowledge of the Coast Tsimshian people. 

Interest in local food systems have grown over the past few decades for a number of reasons including food security, community resiliency, climate change, and sustainable development concerns. The Province of British Columbia now recommends that local governments consider food production and food security in their plans.

There are numerous goals that local governments can pursue using local food production initiatives. The most obvious is community food security. Having a strong local food system, including urban agriculture is seen as a key strategy in fostering local food security. The food production opportunities for a community to support and encourage are influenced by local conditions and should be tailored accordingly. For example, Prince Rupert does not have great potential for grain production because of the lack of local arable lands. However, there is opportunity for some urban agriculture and marine based foods. 

The City of Prince Rupert could consider a number of policy options regarding local food production. Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with each of the following possible policies.