Program Overview

The Food Systems Program supports Indigenous communities in reaching their Food Security and Food Sovereignty goals. The Program distributes grants and provides support with capacity building, technical training, networking, and cultural sharing through in-person gatherings,  and resource sharing. I·SPARC is committed to being inclusive of all aspects of food relations.

Program History

The Food Systems Program is a granting program evolving from the First Nations Food Systems Program (FNFS) that was formerly facilitated by the Heart and Stroke Foundation in collaboration with the First Nations Health Authority. In 2021 I·SPARC was identified as an Indigenous organization well aligned to meet the changing needs of communities participating in the program. On April 1, 2022 I·SPARC began delivering the FNFS under a modified name, Food Systems Program, within its Healthy Living programming and services.

Within the first year, the Food Systems Program supported 65 diverse community-led projects, all with the common goal of improving food security and food sovereignty in their communities. To learn more about the Food System Program and community impact to date, check out A Journey Toward Indigenous Food Security & Food Sovereignty, a document prepared in collaboration with community in the Fall of 2022.

What We Do

The Food Systems Program provides First Nation communities with grants of up to $5,000 to fund a wide range of projects that support Indigenous food sovereignty, food security, and Indigenous food relations. Some project examples include:

  • Community gardens
  • Livestock systems
  • Aquaculture
  • Aquaponics or hydroponics
  • Tools and equipment for food work
  • Education programs related to food
  • Indigenous food initiatives
  • Food preservation
  • Small infrastructure projects to support food related work (i.e., improving irrigation systems, fencing, etc.)

The Food Systems Program organizes in-person gatherings to support capacity building, technical training, networking, and cultural sharing. Sign up for our e-bulletin to be informed of important dates and resources!

We are working to develop the program “in a good way” to address the unique needs of Indigenous communities across the province. In the coming years we aim to expand the program and its partnerships to also include projects from Métis, Inuit, urban and away from home Indigenous communities and organizations.

Food Systems Program Grant

The next intake for the Food Systems 2024 will be announced in Spring 2024.

Eligibility:

  • All First Nations and organizations serving First Nation Populations throughout BC are eligible to apply for funding. Individuals are NOT eligible to apply.
  • Ongoing and established community projects that are in good standing (have submitted prior year(s) final reports) with the FSP will be given preference, as funding is limited.

Sign up for our e-bulletin to stay informed about upcoming learning opportunities and when the next call for grant applications is open.

Recent Webinars

The Food Systems Team at I·SPARC is pleased to announce the launch of a free webinar series, for all Indigenous people living in BC, or individuals working in Indigenous communities on food related projects or programming.

The series will cover a variety of topics including:

  • July 26: Integrated Pest Management (recording here) 
    • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): What is integrated pest management? It is a decision-making process for managing pests in an environmentally focused way. It emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least disruption to the ecosystem and encourages natural pest control mechanisms.
  • September 20: Seed Saving (recording here) 
  • October 25: Clam Gardens (recording here) 

Who Can Participate?

  • All Indigenous people residing in BC including First Nations, Inuit and Métis
  • Individuals, organizations or staff leading food related work in Indigenous communities or organizations. i.e. You are a non-Indigenous person, leading or supporting food related work with an Indigenous organization or community.
  • Registration is required to participate and receive zoom information.

Please stay tuned for future announcements and registration for this 5-part series, held in partnership with Métis Nation BC, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and the First Nations Agricultural Association.

If you have questions about this series, or you would like to receive email notifications related to this series please contact Beangka Elliott at belliott@isparc.ca.