Our vision
A strengthened local food system that provides independent and shared access to sustainable foods from Shkagamik-kwe (Mother Earth) and empowers individuals, families and communities in the movement towards wholistic health.
Our mission
Embrace Sustainable Community-driven Systems
To support local food systems that are led by communities, to ensure that food grown and harvested from the land and freshwater is consistently available in the most culturally relevant ways in all seasons.
Scale-up Food Access Opportunities
To provide sustainable food access programs that support people in coming together to share food and food-based knowledge within the wider community of Manitoulin Island (Mnidoo Mnising).
Advocate for Food Sovereignty
To empower individuals, families and communities by creating space that encourages mindfulness around sourcing food and the impact it has on our way of life and wholistic health.
Our values
- Engagement, partnership, and mentorship
- Culturally relevant approaches to healing
- Making decisions based on our impact seven generations in the future
Our story
Local Food Manitoulin grew from round-table conversations that began in 2011, when the Local Food Manitoulin Advisory Committee — formerly the Child Poverty Task Force — began looking closely at food access, well-being and people’s relationships with food across Mnidoo Mnis.
One of the earliest priorities was improving access to fresh produce for families, children and youth. The group adopted the Good Food Box model and, with community partners and volunteers, established the program on Manitoulin.
Historically, Local Food Manitoulin operated as an unincorporated group working to advance food-system goals across Manitoulin in partnership with many communities. Noojmowin Teg Health Centre was a core partner, providing flow-through funding as well as office and administrative support.
When that partnership came to an end, Local Food Manitoulin also lost funding and staff capacity. Volunteers rallied to keep programming going, including the Good Food Box, so people could continue to access fresh, healthy food on a monthly basis. Those volunteers also led the process of incorporating Local Food Manitoulin as an independent not-for-profit organization.
Following incorporation, Local Food Manitoulin undertook a strategic planning process in 2023 to help guide the organization as an independent entity. The plan emphasizes rebuilding relationships with partners and community, strengthening governance, securing sustainable funding and staffing, and continuing to develop a stronger local food system grounded in community and relationships with the land.
Today, the Good Food Box remains Local Food Manitoulin’s current active program. The organization also continues to support the broader goals of local food access, community connection, food sovereignty and a resilient food system for Mnidoo Mnis and surrounding communities.
Member and partner organizations
Local Food Manitoulin’s work has been shaped by a broad network of community organizations and partners, including:
- Noojmowin Teg Health Centre
- Naandwehgiigamik Community Health Centre
- M’Chigeeng First Nation Health Services
- Sheguiandah First Nation Health Centre
- Sheshegwaning First Nation Health Services
- Whitefish River First Nation Health & Social Services
- Naandwechige-Gamig Health Centre
- Zhiibaahaasing First Nation Health Centre
- Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board
- Manitoulin Family Resources
- Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Kids Can Grow
- Little Current United Church
- Township of Assiginack
- Northern Ontario Permaculture Research Institute
Local Food Manitoulin is ultimately about bringing people together around fresh, locally connected food and the knowledge, relationships and hope that grow with it.