2.5.5

Description: 
We will implement programs that support youth in their communities and in their schools to encourage local food production and consumption.
Lead Dept: 
ITI
Priority: 
2.5
Status: 
Fulfilled
Restructured COC: 
Social Envelope
Number: 
5
Deputy Minister Committee: 
Social Envelope
Background Information: 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Commitment 2.5.5

We will implement programs that support youth in their communities and in their schools to encourage local food production and consumption.

Local Food Production and Consumption

The NWT Agriculture Strategy was released in March 2017 and goes to 2022.  The Strategy has a recommendation to develop and offer educational resources that support the inclusion of agriculture into a variety of educational environments to raise awareness, skill and build capacity related to agricultural initiatives for communities, families, youth and children (milestones 1, 2 and 4).

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is working with NWT agricultural organizations, agencies and food producers to build the agricultural capacity of the NWT.

Since fall 2016, the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment (ITI) has led an Interdepartmental Agriculture Working Group to initiate various activities within the Strategy’s Action Plan that engaged other departments on issues such as land use, wildlife and food safety issues.

ITI’s regional offices continue to support regional and community based agriculture training programs, courses and workshops.

ITI is working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to develop agricultural programming for NWT schools that will incorporate the very successful Take a Kid Gardening Program (milestone 3).

Related Mandate Commitments

  • Commitment 1.1.11 - We will develop and foster the knowledge economy by:
    • In partnership with other organizations, supporting the creation of a central repository that supports knowledge dissemination, research, and best practices for northern farming conditions, and promoting innovative farm practices and northern based greenhouse and related technologies.
  • Commitment 1.2.1 - We will expand the agricultural sector by:
    • Implementing the Agriculture Strategy
    • Improving access to agricultural land
    • Updating agricultural funding programs
    • Supporting training for commercial farmers
  • Commitment 4.3.5 - We will reduce the burden of chronic disease by promoting healthy lifestyles and improving screening and management, with specific focus on:
    • Expanding the production and availability of local foods such as fish, country food, and garden produce.