We define local food as (in order of preference): food grown in our community, in Lunenburg County, within 100 miles (160 km) of our community, and in Atlantic Canada. Most of the food we eat in Bridgewater is shipped in from thousands of kilometres away, and many people can’t afford or access healthy food. Global agriculture is severely challenged due to water shortages, pollution, depleting soil quality, rising energy costs, and insecure distribution systems. A sustainable food future will mean that all residents have access to safe, nutritious food that has been produced in an environmentally sustainable manner and that sustains our rural communities.

We have 2 goals for sustainable food:

1. All people in our community can afford and have access to healthy local food
2. Food sources and distribution systems are secure and can adapt to disruptions

Over the long term, our goal is that sustainable food will result in the following measurable changes in the community:

We will achieve these successes by continuing to improve our own operations, by working with community partners and businesses to start new programs, by setting appropriate public policies that relate to food, and by advocating for sustainable food policies at the provincial and federal levels of government.