What is the Good Food Network?

The Good Food Network joins numerous organizations and individuals across the capital region with the shared purpose of connecting and aligning our efforts and work together towards a healthy and sustainable food system in our region.

The members of the Good Food Network are diverse and span the food system. There are nutritionists, educators, knowledge keepers, community organizations, funders, local government planners and decision makers, as well as farmers, food producers and distributors. 

To be a member, all you need to do is agree to the principles of Good Food, and pledge to further them. You can join as an individual or as an organization, but what is common is that you believe that "together we are stronger." and proactively work to align your work towards some common goals that we have identified as a network (see our collective impact strategy). You can share your work through face to face meetings, the quarterly newsletter and through other network activities.

Good Food Network Resources

CRFAIR supports the development of the network by hosting its communication tools, generating funding for coordination of network activities, and coordinating the Good Food Summit. In addition, CRFAIR supports the coordination of network campaigns and policy advocacy in the interim of the network building its governance and action teams.

CRFAIR promotes healthy and sustainable food systems.  This considers our relationships with each other, and the land and waters of this region.  We endeavour to honour the land and its treaties by strengthening our relationship and responsibilities to them. We live and work on unceded Coast Salish Territories*, specifically of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations here in the core area, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations {W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱,(Tsawout) W̱SIKEM (Tseycum)} out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, to the west Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, and Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) Nations.

The presence of settlers (non-Indigenous peoples who live on these lands) is not neutral; it has had and continues to have devastating impacts on many aspects of life for Indigenous peoples. Many of our practices, including the seeds we plant, the ways we educate, and our methods of growing food came to these lands through the ongoing process of colonialism. Settler colonialism has suppressed local well-being by harming Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ food systems, whether they be land-based or of the sky and sea. We hold this understanding in our interactions and engagements with this land and its people. 

There is important work being done by many nations and allies to ensure the continued thriving of these food systems, communities, and knowledge systems. Those of us who are settlers need to recognize that our knowledge and way of doing things may not be the priority as we work towards food security for everyone in this region.

* The term Coast Salish is used to encompass a number of Indigenous peoples, including Esquimalt, Hul’qumi’num, Klahoose, Lekwungen, MALAXEt, Musqueam, OStlq’emeylem, Pentlatch, Scia’new (Beecher Bay), Sliammon, Shishalh, Skxwú7mesh-ulh Úxwumixw, Stó:lo, Straits, Tsleil-Waututh, T’Sou-ke, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Xwemalhkwu.