The Bow Valley Food Alliance’s most pressing need is Food Sovereignty, a transnational movement that advocates for communities’ ability to determine what their food systems look like. It highlights the need to change the ways that people relate to each other and their food systems and includes seven pillars: focusing on food for people, building knowledge and skills, working with nature, valuing food providers, localizing food systems, placing control locally, and recognizing food as a sacred responsibility rather than a commodity. Food sovereignty also encompasses the concept of food security, which means that all people have physical and economic access to sufficient, and nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

Our work is guided by connecting people, coordinating efforts, advocating for change, educating the community, and inspiring action. Donations directly impact the ability of BVFA coordinators to continue meeting with municipalities around actioning the BVFA Food Charter values & implementing these values into broader strategic plans & policy change. The BVFA will also be able to continue supporting local food producers, businesses, & community growing spaces in the procurement of food for networking events & meetings. As the only food-focused organization in the Bow Valley doing this kind of work, the BVFA meets people where they are & moves at the speed of trust to bring together, support, & amplify the work of equity-deserving
groups.