Resources

PHABC’s division of community engagement and food systems (CEFS) works alongside many partners to develop and provide resources, reports and systems transformation. Below is a collection of some of our resources.

 


Meaningful Youth Volunteerism in Surrey Food Systems

 

PHABC has been investigating evidence from around the globe, contributing to the mental wellbeing of children and youth. A discovery dialogue about how this evidence applies in the British Columbia context was conducted and while social isolation was always a factor it has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. PHABC’s Best Brains Exchange forum and health authority networking dialogues conducted with funding from the Pacific Foundation for Public Health, highlight the importance of youth engagement, including volunteering, as crucial for enhancing youth mental wellbeing and empowerment.

Youth from equity-seeking groups may encounter challenges accessing formal volunteer placements, facing different experiences compared to non-equity-seeking groups. Determinants such as housing, education, income, the built environment, and social inclusion are perceived barriers.

Our project focused on understanding the challenges and opportunities for underserved youth in Surrey. The mixed methods approach taken for this investigation included, a survey, targeted focus groups and support from partner organizations to reach eligible youth. Participant numbers were modest, despite employing a range of communication strategies and incentives. Even so, these early findings are compelling, and more extensive studies with larger sample sizes are needed post-COVID-19 to more fully understand youth perspectives and experiences with volunteering from the margins.

This report contributes to our ongoing mission to understand, protect, and support youth in our changing society. Findings and recommendations align with our broader investigation into youth engagement and participation.

 

 


Understanding Local Food Culture in the Prince George, B.C. Area

 

Access to food and local food resources are at the forefront of issues facing British Columbians. During uncertain times where residents are faced with the rising costs associated with inflation and the uncertainty of food supply from historical disasters such as the Covid-19 pandemic, flooding, and forest fires, the need to understand local food systems has become increasingly important. This study sought to further understand the gaps in local food access and education.

The College of New Caledonia (CNC) recognizes the challenges around accessing local food. In partnership with the Public Health Association of BC (PHABC), the Applied Research and Innovation department at CNC aimed to research potential solutions to local food access and education. This project idea is an extension of CNC’s successful 2023 Feed BC Grant project “It Takes a Community to Feed a Student” which sought to understand student food security within their perspective campuses, and specifically if there was access to local foods within CNC and the University of Northern British Columbia.

With a 2024 grant from the Feed BC Post Secondary Institution Partner Capacity Funding, CNC distributed a survey to understand local food access and limitations on a community scale. The survey also sought to understand types of educational opportunities around local food those surveyed would be interested in; using the Feed BC Funding, CNC then hosted a free, half day workshop on a topic that community members expressed most interest in.

 

 


The Role of Food System Planning in Facilitating Local Food Procurement for School Meals

 

Farm to School (F2S) programs seeks to connect students with their local food system and community. Providing local food to schools, however, relies on the continuity of local food production in British Columbia (B.C.), as well as the capacity and willingness of farmers to support this “alternative market.”

Planners have an important role to play in supporting farmers’ ability to sustain local food systems. At the provincial level, planning for farmland preservation through the Agricultural Land Reserve has helped to secure some of the farmland needed to support local food production into the future.

However, preserving farmland is only one part of the solution to sustain local food systems. Drawing upon key informant interviews (n=21), this paper identifies planning-related barriers and opportunities for local food procurement in schools. This research emphasizes the invaluable roles that farmers, government, and planners can play in reimagining a just and sustainable food system transition.

Blomley, E., Soma, T., Callihoo, C., Han, R., Páez-Varas, C., Bodnar, C., & Li, B. (2023). The Role of Food System Planning in Facilitating Local Food Procurement for School Meals. Canadian Planning and Policy Aménagement Et Politique Au Canada2023(1), 133–159. https://doi.org/10.24908/cpp-apc.v2023i1.16561

 

 


Food Access in Surrey BC Report

 

In 2021, the Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) received funding from the First West Foundation to conduct a case study with the Seeds of Change Surrey (SOCS) network. The study focused on the experiences of clients using food programs provided by Social Assistance Organizations (SAOs) in Surrey.

Participants generally reported positive interactions with SAO staff and volunteers. However, they faced challenges such as the limited ability to choose food options and quantities, and issues with dietary restrictions and food quality. Key recommendations from the study include the need for a universal basic income, improved food access models that offer dignity and choice, and greater involvement of diverse voices in decision-making processes.

From a public health perspective, these findings highlight the critical need for food systems that support nutritional health and social well-being. Addressing food insecurity through inclusive and equitable models can reduce health disparities, improve mental and physical health outcomes, and foster community resilience. The study emphasizes the importance of transitioning towards more dignified and inclusive food access systems to better serve Surrey’s diverse community and improve overall public health.