Our Vision, Mission, DEI

1. A Resilient Food System: Healthy land and water

The food system in Kamloops and area is resilient and adaptive in the face of potential climate and economic upsets, and functions in a way that promotes biodiversity and soil health. Food grown through agriculture or collected through traditional harvesting methods protects land, water, animals and humans - both now and for generations to come. Pesticide/herbicide use is reduced and eventually eliminated; no contaminants or toxic materials are applied to the land. The scale of food production and harvesting does not overly tax the land. There is an integrated waste management system. The cost of food properly reflects the true value of inputs like human labour and water, while recognizing the environmental impacts of growing and transporting food. The KFPC and its network work regionally, provincially, and beyond as required to promote conditions needed for a resilient food system; advocating for policy change, incubating programs, working with farmers, and building partnerships.

2. Alleviation of Poverty: Equitable access to healthy, culturally appropriate food

The food system in Kamloops and Area is inclusive of all voices and meets the diversity of needs found in our community. All people living in Kamloops have access to healthy, culturally appropriate food. Many people are growing their own food, and a variety of fresh, healthy and local food is available to buy or trade. Where gaps exist in household level food security, including amongst individuals experiencing homelessness, there are enough regular meals provided throughout Kamloops to address that need. This is supported through collective urban farms and reducing food waste by gleaning from places of abundance. Members of the food system are advocated and facilitators of change, addressing barriers to food accessibility (i.e. living wage, cost of housing, transportation, dependence on processed food and agribusiness, dependence on other regions/countries).

3. Local Economic Vitality: Support for regional food providers

The food system prioritizes solidarity and sovereignty over competition and profit, and ensures a good livelihood for producers with safe, equitable labour conditions for all. For example; business models like worker-owned cooperatives are favoured over profit-driven corporations. Food and agriculture sectors are key economic drivers in Kamloops and region. There is good demand for food grown in the region from residents, chefs, and institutions. Food producers, processors and distributors have the capacity to scale their operations to meet increasing demand and incubator farms and shared kitchens reduce barriers for new entrants. The necessary infrastructure (dry and cold storage, community kitchens, abattoirs) is in place to support the food system along the value chain, and there are multiple venues where local food can be purchased year round. Regulations support safe, healthy food but do not create unnecessary barriers for local food providers to enter the food system or innovate with their products.

4. Our Network: Celebrating people as gifts and the cultivation of connections

The Kamloops Food Policy Council acts as a hub and a leader, inspiring people throughout the region to work together towards a common vision. The council is inclusive with no barriers to participation, and proactively reaches out to under-represented groups, listening to their needs when setting priorities. Members of the network, and the food system in general, are aware of one another and work to collaborate with each other, reduce redundancies and address gaps. The network is a way to connect with food, fun and friendship as well as being a venue for effective change in the community.

5. Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Decolonizing relations and the restoration of ecological food systems

Food is recognized as a sacred gift that cannot be commodified. Food is produced in a sustainable, balanced way that reflects and respects the interconnectedness of food, people, and nature. Traditional practices and cultural harvesting strategies are a living reality, with widespread participation and guaranteed access to culturally-adapted foods. Access to traditional land is ensured, by returning it or creating Indigenous protected areas that do not restrict traditional land uses. Policies are put in place that ensure the integrity and health of Indigenous food systems for future generations. These policies are developed using a cross cultural approach that emphasizes Indigenous self-determination, respects Indigenous legal orders and works with natural systems/laws. Non-Indigenous members work to minimize their impacts on unceded lands, educate themselves about colonization and its impacts, and seek points of complementarity with an Indigenous-led decolonization movement.

6. Food Literacy: Intergenerational knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices and research

People in Kamloops and area have appreciation, knowledge and skills for growing, preserving and cooking food. Community members feel encouraged to choose healthy foods that are culturally, regionally, and seasonally appropriate. Regular sharing of knowledge and practices takes place between and within different generations and different members of society (gardeners, farmers, researchers, organizations, etc.). Area schools, including post-secondary instritutions, are involved in research and education around food. Common spaces such as community gardens and tool libraries are supported so that community members have places to spent time, share, and learn from eachother.

7. Food Commons: The revitalization of local food assets and the sharing economy

People in Kamloops are regularly growing, cooking and eating together - sharing the food they have grown or prepared. Kamloops has many venues and processes in place to support the sharing economy (common gardens, shared kitchens, a platform for bartering, etc.). This encourages more local food, more variety and more equal distribution of resources while reducing food waste. These activities promote a feeling of abundance and remind us to care for our community and for each other. An interconnected and caring community helps meet people's needs and complements programming to address household food insecurity. People recognize the importance of sharing as an alternative to the current economic system and are empowered to advocate for a more inclusive and respectful system.

Cultivate Meaningful Partnerships

• Provide a forum for networking

• Engage with others in addressing community needs

• Contribute to Indigenous Food Sovereignty initiatives

• Support community-based research related to food systems

Influence Policy

• Strategically contribute to plans and policies at all government levels

• Strive for excellence in internal governance

• Bring people together to provide input into food policy

Implement Community-Based Food Programs

• Act as an umbrella organization for individuals and groups pursuing new food initiatives

Provide Community Education to Support Food Literacy 

• Contribute to public education on food

• Foster learning amongst staff, board, and volunteers

Equal Opportunity

The KFPC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals.

Diversity

We actively seek to create a diverse workforce by recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that a diverse staff with various lived experiences contributes to a richer more inclusive work environment.

Inclusion

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where every individual feels values, respected, and included. We encourage open communication, collaboration, and the sharing of diverse viewpoints.

Equity

We strive to eliminate barriers and provide equal opportunities for all staff members to succeed and advance their careers within our organization. This includes addressing systemic inequities and promoting fairness in all employment practices. White supremacy culture is ingrained in North American work practice and norms. At the KFPC, we are committed to decolonization and anti-racism, and allow both to guide our practices and decision making.

Leadership Commitment

All members of the KFPC (staff, contractors, volunteers, and network members) are responsible for setting the tone for and championing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the organization. The appointed Human Resource staff member is expected to champion this practice and lead by example, allocating resources to support DEI efforts and acting as a point of contact for clarification or support during policy implementation and development. The human resources rep will also work collaboratively to implement and promote diversity, equity and inclusion practices within the organization through hiring, training, promoting, and performance management processes.

All staff members are responsible for treating each other with respect, communicating when there is conflict, embracing diversity and actively contributing to an inclusive work environment. Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation of any kind will not be tolerated.

Recruitment and Hiring

We will implement inclusive recruitment practices by working with cultural organizations and network members who can help seek diverse candidates for all positions, ensure unbiased selection processes, and provide equal opportunities for all applicants.

Training and Education

The HR staff members at KFPC will offer training opportunities and resources to promote awareness and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion for the network.

Promotion and Advancement

We will provide pathways for career growth and development that are accessible to all employees, ensuring that promotions and advancement are based on merit and not influences by bias.

The KFPC will regularly access its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and make necessary adjustments to meet our goals. Staff and network input will be respected, considered, and implemented when appropriate.

The Kamloops Food Policy Council (KFPC) is deeply committed to antiracism, and strives to break down implicit biases and structural racism at every level of our work. We work to uplift and center diverse voices. particularly those the system works to silence, through various partnerships and initiatives.

The KFPC was a proud partner of the 3rd Annual Black History Month Event in 2025 at Thompson Rivers University. We continue to actively participate in Valid Dreams Foundation's cultural dinners at the Kamloops United Church, which foster community and cultural exchange through sharing food.

The KFPC also participated in the 2023 Tapestry Festival organized by Kamloops Immigrant Services (KIS). We continue to collaborate with KIS through our programs. In 2024, our Butler Urban Farm hosted a cultural seed starting workshop with children and families from KIS. The seeds planted at this workshop grew within the farm for KIS's network, and anyone in the community, to harvest and enjoy.

In addition, our commitment to decolonization and partnership with Dawn Morrison's Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty and various local Indigenous Bands, is a priority for our organization. The KFPC's food hub, The Stir, partners with Authentic Indigenous Seafood, a sustainable Indigenous  Fisheries cooperative, to act as their Kamloops distribution hub.

The KFPC recognizes the intersectional nature of antiracism, food security, and culture and understands that equitable access to culturally appropriate food is crucial for all communities. Celebrating diverse food traditions strengthens communal ties and cultural appreciation.

Our Partners

Kamloops Immigrant Services

KIS helps support immigrant, refugees, migrant workers, visible minorities, first-generation Canadians, and their families in succeeding no matter the challenge. KIS also supports individuals, communities and organizations to become more welcome and facilitates intercultural opportunities for all of us to learn together

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

Valid Dreams Foundation 

Valid Dreams Foundation supports the Kamloops region by bridging multi-ethnic communities through events, workshops, and programs. Our goal is to work cross-culturally and cross-racially to engage and connect with members of diverse backgrounds to cultivate a safe and harmonious community for generations to come.

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

Working Group On Indigenous Food Sovereignty

WGIFS was created for the purpose of increasing awareness of the underlying issues, concerns and strategies impacting food security in Indigenous communities. The WGIFS seeks to apply culturally appropriate protocols and ancient ways of knowing through a consensus-based approach to critically analyzing issues, concerns, and strategies as they relate to Indigenous food, land, culture, health, economics, and sustainability.

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE