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Background

British Columbia’s (BC) public health policies now include food security as a key public health priority. It is one of twenty-one core public health programs that all health authorities are required to act on, to achieve food security for all British Columbians. Health Authority actions include policy development, programs, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.

The Community Food Action Initiative (CFAI), launched in 2005, provides funding and other support to BC communities to take action that supports healthy eating while securing access to food in BC communities. CFAI is a partnership among the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, BC’s six health authorities, and communities. CFAI is one of the programs within the Food Security Core Program.

The Food Security Core Program also operates as a partnership. The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport provides policy direction; the five regional health authorities implement policies and programs, and the Provincial Health Services Authority facilitates provincial level action to coordinate efforts and increase efficiencies. A multi-sector Advisory Committee provides opportunities for across sector collaboration. Members of this committee represent relevant provincial ministries, federal departments, local government, non-governmental organizations and academia.

This Web portal is an initiative of the Ministry-Health Authority partnership, intended to provide an information resource to food security practitioners and interested others in BC.