Prince George Food Charter aims to grow local economy, food security

Ottesen and other supporters argue that the distinction is an important one. While food security focuses on ensuring access to food, food sovereignty emphasizes local control — giving communities more authority over how food is produced, distributed, and consumed.

The charter’s development has been years in the making. Sarah Brown, who has been involved since the City began discussing a Poverty Reduction Plan nearly a decade ago, said the City of Prince George is playing a supportive role in advancing the initiative.

“As you know, at the May 25 council meeting, council officially endorsed the Community Food Charter,” Brown said. “So that’s really a shared vision, shared principles. It’s a community guiding document around the food system, food sovereignty, and food security. Having that support from council really enables local food action groups to move this work forward.”

At its core, the Community Food Charter sets out three key missions: ensuring healthy food for everyone, building a fair and inclusive food system, and creating a sustainable approach to food production. Advocates say these goals are not only achievable but could also unlock significant economic potential for the region.

Current estimates suggest Prince George residents spend between $270 million and $364 million annually on food. Yet only about two per cent of that food is produced locally. Increasing local food production to just 10 per cent could create a market worth between $27 million and $36 million annually.

“If we only produce 10 per cent of our food instead of two per cent, that’s like a $20 to $30 million revenue stream,” Ottesen noted. “Supporting local food brings gains for the community in a lot of ways — health gains, financial gains, and stability in terms of food security and self-reliance.”

The potential economic impact goes beyond direct spending. Prince George, with a population of about 85,000, serves as a regional hub for approximately 320,000 people. This broader service population could further expand demand for locally produced food, offering additional growth opportunities for farmers and food producers.

Supporters of the charter also point to job creation as a key benefit. Expanding local agriculture and food production would create employment opportunities across a range of sectors, including processing, distribution, retail, and waste management. In particular, rethinking how organic waste is handled could generate new jobs while improving soil health.

Currently, much of the city’s organic household waste ends up in landfills. Redirecting that waste into composting and soil regeneration initiatives could help close the loop in the local food system while supporting environmental sustainability.

Investment in infrastructure is another area of focus. Advocates say strengthening systems for local food production, storage, and distribution will be essential to achieving the charter’s goals. These investments, they argue, are not just about food — they are about building a healthier, more resilient community.

“Investment in local food infrastructure is really an investment in community food self-reliance and food sovereignty,” Brown said. “And by extension, it supports community health and well-being.”

While the charter lays out an ambitious roadmap, supporters emphasize that its objectives are within reach. With growing community interest, council backing, and a strong foundation already in place through initiatives like community gardens, they believe Prince George is well-positioned to make meaningful progress.

As small-scale growers continue to cultivate crops across the city, the broader movement toward a locally driven food system is also taking root — one that could transform not only how food is grown, but how the community thrives.

by Cheryl Jahn

Prince George Food Charter aims to grow local economy, food security

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