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Adopting a Food Systems Approach: A Case Study of Just Food, Ottawa
In Ottawa, Ontario, researchers documented how the not-for-profit organization, Just Food, uses a food systems approach focused on sustainable production and access (e.g. community gardening, farmer training, promotion of local producers). Just Food acts as a coordinating body for a series of projects that address poverty and hunger, including a regional food hub that aggregates and distributes local food, an incubator kitchen, and food literacy programs.
As part of her Master’s research at Carleton University in Ottawa, Nadia Ibrahim worked with Just Food in order to understand their approach. Through interviews and a focus group with staff and board members, she produced the report, Adopting a Food Systems Approach: A Case Study of Just Food.
Nadia’s analysis of the food systems literature found a lack of clarity around the meaning of a food systems approach. It also suggested that one way of enhancing clarity in the food systems literature is to distinguish between the more mainstream food systems approach and what we call a critical food systems approach. A critical food systems approach aims to bring about significant, long-term structural change in the food system.
Just Food enacts a food systems approach by adopting a food systems lens (or food systems thinking) in its understanding of issues in the food system, and by working at the local level to engage in projects across the food system, with a focus on production and access. Just Food also acts as a hub for food systems work in Ottawa.
In addition to the challenges common to non-profit organizations, there are additional challenges associated with adopting a food systems approach. For instance, it can be difficult to work in a silo-ed policy environment and to communicate the long-term goals of a food systems approach to those who may be unfamiliar with the term. However, Just Food’s experience demonstrates the many strengths and opportunities of a food systems approach. These include a holistic understanding of the food system, the ability to identify and fill gaps in the food system, cross-jurisdictional policy development, and engagement in partnerships and collaborative projects.
