Farm to School in B.C.: The Role of Food System Planning in Facilitating Local Food Procurement for Schools

The Farm to School (F2S) movement seeks to connect youth with their food system and community. In the emerging field of food systems planning, public institutional procurement through F2S programming also offers a key leverage point to scale up resilient, place-based local food systems. This movement, however, relies on the continuity and sustainability of local food production in British Columbia (B.C.). Provincially, aspects of the food system have been considered through farmland preservation through the Agricultural Land Reserve. In order for planners to sustain local food production, however, preserving farmland is insufficient without the necessary local food infrastructure and economic development planning and support. Planning related barriers and opportunities for F2S procurement are identified in drawing upon key informant interviews (n=21) with planners, farmers, educators, and policymakers. As the federal government rolls out a pan-Canadian school food policy, this research emphasizes the invaluable roles that farmers, public institutions, and planners can play in reimagining a just and sustainable food system transition.