Summary

• The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) and Food Banks BC (FBBC) are administering the Province’s $2 million investment towards food-access challenges in rural, remote and First Nations communities.
• To learn more about the Community Food Systems Development work administered by PHABC and FBBC, see the website: https://phabc.org/cfsd.
• For a full list of projects funded through the grants, please see the link here: www.clkmg.com/PHA_BC/CFSDgrants.

Victoria, B.C., June 10, 2025 –  The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has invested $2 million towards food-access challenges in rural, remote and First Nations communities. The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) and Food Banks BC (FBBC) are administering the funding.

“We know that food security is one of the most powerful determinants of health,” said Richard Han, PHABC’s Senior Director of Public and Planetary Health. “This initiative acknowledges the leadership and expertise of communities who best understand their own food access opportunities and challenges. This funding recognizes the vital work that communities are already doing and investing in local solutions will help to build long-term resilience and lasting change.”

This funding, part of $5 million announced in 2023, is distributed through two streams to support better food access in northern B.C. The Large Scale Innovations for Food System Transformation Pilot stream provides approximately $1.7 million for five partnerships to develop advanced models for food security. The Ideas Lab for Food Systems Transformation stream provides $300,000 across 13 projects, aiming to improve regional food security. To learn more about the projects, see the PHABC website: https://phabc.org/cfsd.

“This investment underscores the power of collaboration to advance our key project priorities: strengthening food systems, empowering communities and creating lasting change,” said Dan Huang-Taylor, FBBC’s Executive Director. “As demand for food banks reaches unprecedented levels, we are proud to partner with the B.C. government and the Public Health Association of BC to expand access to local, healthy and culturally appropriate food for northern B.C. communities.”

Food Systems transformation refers to efforts being made to transform mainstream food systems to be more just, equitable, sustainable, and resilient. These projects aim to advance community food security, enhance local food sovereignty, and foster collaboration across sectors to build a healthier and more inclusive food system for all. To learn more about the Community Food Systems Development work administered by PHABC and FBBC, see the website: https://phabc.org/cfsd.

“Community partners have worked to build local solutions that strengthen regional food security and support dignified food access,” said Dr. Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “This funding supports communities to make vital changes to food systems. Through this project, legacies of co-operation and effective policy are addressing food insecurity with new skills and models designed to reduce hunger and grow local capacity to address inequities and feed those in need.”

These projects are creating partnerships of non-profits, businesses, governments and other partners to work together and expand food access. For a full list of projects funded through the grants, please see the link here: www.clkmg.com/PHA_BC/CFSDgrants.

“In many northern rural and remote communities, getting affordable fresh food can be challenging,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Working together with our partners, we are helping local groups meet the increasing demand for nutritious food.”

This investment is part of the historic $200 million in funding announced in March 2023 to strengthen the food supply chain throughout B.C., increase the availability of fresh food, encourage more food production in remote areas, strengthen food infrastructure and create more regional community food hubs.

“One of the best ways we can boost our province’s food security is by directly partnering with farming communities and organizations who are on the ground in remote areas,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “The projects funded by these investments will put more food in the cupboards of people in northern British Columbia and beyond, and they will pay off in our long-term goal of a sustainable, healthy food system, with a thriving agricultural sector grown by and for the people of the region.”

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please use the following contact information.

Dr. Shannon Turner
Executive Director
Public Health Association of BC
exec.dir@phabc.org

Dan Huang-Taylor
Executive Director
Food Banks BC
dan@foodbanksbc.com

Richard Han
Senior Director, Public and Planetary Health
Public Health Association of BC
director.cefs@phabc.org

Summary

• Farm to School BC (F2SBC) was not successful in receiving funding from the Ministry of Health to deliver the program for the 2025/26 school year.
• The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) and Farm to School BC are actively exploring new opportunities and pursuing alternative funding sources.
• As one of PHABC’s longest standing food systems programs, these pivots will impact thousands across the province and beyond.

Victoria, B.C., June 5, 2025 – The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) acknowledges the significant year-end funding cuts to the Farm to School BC (F2SBC) program.

Richard Han, PHABC’s Senior Director of Public and Planetary Health, stated, “Although the loss of our primary funding source presents significant challenges, we are deeply grateful for the continued support and commitment of the BC Ministry of Health. The heart of Farm to School BC remains strong —anchored in 18 years of trusted relationships with school communities. We remain committed to the values and vision of Farm to School BC, and will continue to operate the program in a limited capacity in the immediate future.”

Marcus Lobb, F2SBC’s Provincial Manager, emphasized the program’s key role in building community relationships and establishing partnerships through the strength of the Regional Coordinators: “Since 2020, our program’s Regional Coordinators have provided hands-on support for over 150 schools, and all 60 school districts, including Independent and First Nations schools. F2SBC has built a tight-knit community of educators and community members who are dedicated to a future for students that celebrates food as a cornerstone of learning and well-being. We have always put community first, which shows in the incredible relationships and successful programs.”

While these recent funding decisions will impact staffing capacity, PHABC and F2SBC are actively exploring new opportunities and pursuing alternative funding sources to support the program’s sustainability. This includes a fundraising campaign that will launch soon through PHABC’s MeaningfulWork platform.

“Children thrive as adults when they are provided food literacy skills early on in life,” said Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “F2SBC reaches students right in the classrooms, where they can become ambassadors of their own food journey, which will only serve to positively impact their physical, mental and emotional health. F2SBC is an integral component to many classrooms across the province and beyond; PHABC recognizes this value, and we know our partners, community members, and educators will continue to invest in this program and it’s beneficial outcomes in the school community.”

F2SBC is one of PHABC’s longest-standing food systems programs, and has collaborated with the Coalition for Healthy School Food, Rise Up!, and Hands on Food. F2SBC has supported over 374 schools and over 53,345 students across the province since 2007.

The program has provided funding and support for projects that have made significant contributions to community food security:

• Over 80% of educators agree that F2SBC funded programs make strong BC curriculum connections.
• 91% of students in F2SBC programs showed increased willingness to try fruits and vegetables they had grown.
• 86% of students in F2SBC programs showed significant positive changes in healthy eating behaviours.

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please use the following contact information.

Selenna Ho
Communications Director
Public Health Association of BC
communications@phabc.org

Richard Han
Senior Director, Public and Planetary Health
Public Health Association of BC
director.cefs@phabc.org

Marcus Lobb
Provincial Manager
Farm to School BC
prov.manager@farmtoschoolbc.ca 

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) expresses our deep sorrow to the Filipino community for the tragic loss of their loved ones during a peaceful celebration.

We send you our love and strength.

Please know that we grieve with you in this unbearable loss of life and security.

“Public health professionals provide essential programs, services and guidance that keep us and our loved ones safe. Through actions such as disease and injury prevention, health promotion and health protection, our public health professionals empower people to live healthy lives.”

-Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. Read the full statement here.