The Food Justice program of Archway Community Services is inviting community members to participate in the finalization of the Abbotsford Food Charter. The community has until April 11th to engage and have their voices heard in the charter.

Last year, Archway Food Justice’s Valley Food Connection program in partnership with Abbotsford ACCESS, hosted three community engagement sessions to gain a better understanding of the local food system. These sessions included informative discussions on food and culture, education, social equity, economic development, agriculture/sustainability, and health/wellbeing.

Through these discussions, key values and priorities related to food have been identified, reflecting the opinions and perspectives of Abbotsford residents. To develop a food charter that truly represents the community’s vision and priorities, a survey has been developed to gather community input.

“We’re looking to build a sustainable, connected, and equitable local food system – one where everyone has access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally preferable food,” said Vicki Lin, Archway’s Food Justice program supervisor.

“Your responses will help shape the food charter as well as policies, programs, and initiatives that support a healthier, more resilient food system for Abbotsford.”

A food charter is a community-developed statement that establishes a shared vision for a sustainable and food secure community. Food charters help advocate for nutritious, affordable, accessible, and culturally relevant food for all community members.

Food charters create space for a broad base of support and raise community awareness about food system concerns. While food charters are not binding policy statements, they act as inspiration for how to develop local food policy and initiatives for the community.

“With the number of people experiencing food insecurity in our community, the need for a food charter is now,” said Rebecca Thuro, Archway’s Food Security manager. “Reflecting on our community’s values to ensure everyone has access to nutritious and culturally preferred foods will help shape the strength of Abbotsford’s future.”

Abbotsford residents are encouraged to take 5 minutes to respond to the online survey to have their voices reflected in the creation of the Abbotsford Food Charter. Community participation is crucial in shaping a sustainable, connected, and equitable local food system for Abbotsford.

To participate in the survey, please visit the food justice website before April 11, 2025.