Food Charter

Let’s Work Together to Build a Better Food System for all

Transforming our food system is one of the most impactful things we can do to create healthy communities, address climate change, and regenerate our natural environment. To build a food system that meets the needs of everyone, we need to understand how white supremacy, colonialism, patriarchy and capitalism have led to deep social inequity and environmental degradation today.

The Guelph-Wellington Charter for Food Justice shines a spotlight on the complex, interconnected and often-invisible barriers inherent in our current food system, and unites our vision for the future.

Co-creating a Food Charter brings people together to articulate a new vision—and new set of values—to spark a transformational food movement in our region.

Read the Charter

What is the Guelph-Wellington Charter for Food Justice?

White supremacy, colonialism, patriarchy and capitalism have had a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of people and the planet—and have shaped how food is grown, distributed and consumed in our region and throughout the world. The Guelph-Wellington Charter for Food Justice is a tool to help us take a closer at who our current system serves, who it doesn’t—and how we can level the playing field.

The Charter’s vision acts to connect communities, businesses and governments—and drive collective action toward creating a food system where the right to food is upheld, and where all people, relationships, economic and ecological systems can flourish.

What is Food Justice?

Food justice aims to equally share the benefits and risks of where, what and how food is grown, produced, transported, distributed, accessed, and eaten. Food justice represents a transformation of the current food system by eliminating systemic inequities.

Signatories of the Guelph-Wellington Charter for Food Justice commit to food justice by supporting actions that align with the following themes:

The Land and all our relations
Health and wellbeing
Shared prosperity
Culture
Education

How Can Signing the Charter Help?

Right now, there is no public body responsible for food access municipally, provincially, or federally. This means our politicians and public institutions have no real mandate or dedicated resources to holistically address food system issues.

When passionate and diverse stakeholders put their names behind the Guelph-Wellington Charter for Food Justice, they’re uniting behind a common vision and values—and demonstrating a collective will to advocate for food system transformation.

The more signatories that sign on, the more likely the Food Charter can:

Influence municipal strategic planning
Inspire government endorsement and accountability
Encourage civic engagement
Increase collective understanding and awareness of food systems
Provide a “north star” to drive community partnerships

Sign the Charter

The more people that support the Guelph- Wellington Charter for Food Justice, the more powerful it becomes. If you believe it’s time for a food system transformation in Guelph-Wellington, join the movement.

Sign the Charter

Why Do I Support the Charter?

“Charters have a unique power. Posted on the wall in a classroom or in a government office, these documents remind us all, that no matter what our religion or political position or identity, we have a fundamental set of values and principles that we all believe in, and can get behind.”

Karen

“I am happy to support the collaboration that this charter represents and the momentum towards increased equitable food access that it has the potential to create. Food affects us all in some way and being united about how we view and approach issues surrounding it matters now more than ever.”

Pauline

“Food justice is an issue underlying many of our daily decisions without realizing it – if a community were more prepared as a cohesive group to address food access issues we would all be better for it. This charter will allow for good work to continue in Guelph-Wellington. I pledge to continue to do the work that is within my capacity to strengthen our collective resiliency.”

Jude

“Lack of regular access to nutritious, affordable food is a serious problem for many people from various population groups and communities. The Guelph Food Charter is a crucial first step in publicly acknowledging the problem and initiating responsible dialogue on how to address it. Now we must sustain the effort and build on the Charter to achieve food justice!”

Winston

“As a Guelph resident, I feel proud to sign the Charter for Food Justice and show my support for this initiative. It is so inspiring to see community members and organizations join forces for the sake of food equity and justice. 1 in 8 are food insecure in Guelph-wellington households and 67% of food is wasted each year in Canada… If there was a time to reevaluate and reimagine our current food system, it would be now!“

Noura

“The circular food system is a great idea, but we need to do more. We must protect some of the best farmland in the world here! Victoria BC has interesting initiatives including a food warehouse.”

Donna

“On behalf of the North End Harvest Market – we are supporting the charter. The new charter has been made more community friendly and has taken into consideration – those living in poverty being able to understand and use as a guide for their better quality of life.“

Barb

“Co-creating a vision with the Guelph-Wellington community has been a wonderful opportunity to build relationships and harmonize our vision for a better food system. With our Charter for Food Justice in hand we can now communicate our shared understanding of the current moment, the need for urgency, and coordinate our efforts to care for one another.“