GUELPH – Guelph-Wellington’s Smart Cities Office is launching three action plans that officials say lay the groundwork for long-term environmental, economic, and social gains through proven circular economy practices across the regional food system and beyond.
The three action plans provide the framework to build a sustainable model that continues and strengthens the ongoing work, states a Feb. 8 press release from Smart Cities.
Each plan includes strategic priorities based on research and experience.
The Smart Cities Office plans to lead the implementation of the plans, with activation in the communities they serve, to “embed the strategic priorities into systems and programs across Guelph and Wellington County,” the release states.
The Our Food Future initiative was launched in 2019 to implement a circular food economy in Guelph and Wellington County after being awarded $10 million from Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge.
“Congratulations to the City of Guelph and Wellington County on all your accomplishments through Our Food Future,” said Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc.
“The Government of Canada is proud to see that our support, through the Smart Cities Challenge, has helped plant the seed of innovation.
“The results have had a positive impact on the community and the program can serve as a model for other communities across the country.”
The first of the three initiatives, the Food Security Action Plan, includes barrier-breaking initiatives like a regional healthy food prescription program, increased local food infrastructure, and a community food growing strategy.
Under this food prescription program, doctors and health care providers from the Guelph Community Health Centre write prescriptions for free fruits and vegetables to people with diet-related diseases (like diabetes).
Participants redeem their prescriptions and over time, and the effects on their health are measured.
Another initiative, the Circular Business Action Plan, focuses on building a thriving circular business foundation, commercial models that challenge status quo thinking, and creating markets for recovered materials and “up-cycled” products.
The third initiative, Waste as a Resource Action Plan, includes “ground-breaking behaviour change strategies for consumer food waste reduction, and technology solutions to access real time data to further refine to these strategies,” the release states.
“Our Food Future and COIL have always been community driven projects, with hundreds of organizations stepping up to advance the shared vision of a regional circular food economy,” stated Smart Cities executive director David Messer.
“These action plans set a clear road map forward to sustain the momentum around the circular economy in this region into the future.”
Our Food Future has gained momentum and worldwide attention, including a recent special mention award from the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Awards.
Efforts by the local circular economy network, representing government, industry, academia, public health, and community agencies, have produced research and pilot projects that are guiding waste reduction strategies and winning awards.
More than 200 businesses have adopted circular approaches to reduce waste and launched new services and up-cycled products, Smart Cities officials state.
In addition, regenerative agriculture practices are being tested on over 60 hectares (150 acres) of local farmland—an area 12 times the size of the Roger’s Centre (SkyDome), and dozens of grassroots food access projects have been funded or supported including first-in-Canada programs to tackle food insecurity.
“We have an exciting and busy year ahead,” adds Messer.
“2023 will involve extensive community engagement and conversations through Reimagine Food and the Food System Resiliency Table, and new projects and leadership to continue embedding circularity across the local food system and beyond.”
“What an incredible success story already,” said Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.
“When we first applied for this funding, we knew we were a place where food problems could be solved, and this work is proving that.
“As our communities have struggled with the pandemic and rising food costs, Our Food Future has been immediately beneficial, while the long-term promise of environmental and economic outcomes is also clear.”
Wellington County Warden Andy Lennox said, “Wellington County has a long history as an agricultural powerhouse, and the food innovations happening in our region today are truly inspirational.
“The success of the Experimental Acres Farm Pilot demonstrates that our producers are keen to have their innovation supported.”
Lennox added, “Farming is the perfect place to build on circularity in action. We look forward to growing an even brighter, re-imagined food future.”
