Food Security: What does this mean to you?

Food Security might mean being able to afford enough healthy and culturally appropriate food. It might mean knowing where to turn when you need support—or having opportunities to grow food, learn new skills, share a meal and help shape a better food system in your community.

As Vancouver prepares for the 2026 municipal election, neighbourhood houses across the city are inviting residents to share what matters most to them.

Neighbourhood houses see food security from many angles. Food hubs and food distribution respond to immediate need, but our work doesn’t end with handing someone a bag of groceries. We strive to create welcoming, dignified spaces where people are known by name, relationships grow and community care surrounds the food.

We also host community meals and kitchens, cooking and food-skills workshops, gardens and food-sharing initiatives. And through Neighbourhood Food Networks, food justice coalitions and other partnerships, neighbourhood houses help bring community experience into advocacy and conversations about longer-term systems change.

The City is an important partner in this work. Vancouver’s Food Strategy sets out a vision for a just and sustainable food system, supported through the City’s Food Policy work, planning and community partnerships. The Vancouver Food Policy Council advises Council and staff on food-system policies, while Sustainable Food Systems Grants invest directly in neighbourhood-scale food initiatives, coalition-building, food access, skills and community capacity.

And that investment matters. The City itself recognizes that effective community food systems are shaped by the people who live in them. Sustained and growing investment in the neighbourhood food infrastructure and community partners helps us respond to today’s needs while building the relationships, skills, leadership and collective capacity needed for longer-term change.

What would help everyone in your neighbourhood access the food they need with dignity?

Share your ideas through our survey or at a participating Neighbourhood House. You don’t need to be eligible to vote to participate.

Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Neighbourhood.