Rising food costs amid record corporate profits, food supply issues exacerbated by COVID-19, and farm and farmland loss all signal vulnerabilities in the large value chains associated with a globalized food system. While food security issues are prominent in the literature, there seems to be little research on the actors themselves that describes what is happening on a state or provincial scale to ground place-based food security. This research seeks to chart what has been happening in the food security space in Nova Scotia, Canada, over many years—the different approaches employed, as well as achievements and limitations.

In a new JAFSCD article, “Raising awareness and advocating change: The work of Nova Scotia's food security NGOs,” Gregory Cameron, Julia Roach, Steven Dukeshire (corresponding author), and Delaney Keys use document analysis, media analysis, and interviews to report on the activities of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Nova Scotia that are employing various food security approaches in seeking to reduce dependence on the global food system. The article notes the significance of NGO engagement with local communities, but that policy advocacy directed at municipal and provincial governments fell short in shifting the status quo. Based on the findings, the authors suggest a renewed framework for NGO research-action centered on longer-range planning, the broadening of key allies, and a shared vision for a community-controlled food security transition in Nova Scotia.

KEY FINDINGS

NGO food security work in Nova Scotia reflected numerous orientations and values ranging from community food security and household food insecurity, to food justice and food sovereignty concerns. Activities undertaken by the NGOs involved:
- voicing opinions through newspaper articles and reports;
- co-hosting public events such as food security conferences and "Seedy Saturdays" (for seed exchange and gardening advice);
- assisting in start-ups of mobile food markets, community gardens, and food box programs; and
- lobbying municipal and provincial authorities around such issues as local food procurement and farmland protection.
Robust partnerships were formed between food security NGOs and both community-based organizations and some Nova Scotian universities.
The researchers found some impacts at the community level but limited effectiveness at the policy level.
They found ongoing stress to the food security status of the province as reflected in farm decline, corporate concentration, and food inflation.
"Joined-up" sustainable food policy approaches and institutional mapping of key allies are suggested as pathways to reinvigorate the clarity of vision and unity of purpose of Nova Scotia's food movement post-COVID-19.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH

Despite the volume and excellence of work of Nova Scotia’s food-related NGOs, they still face numerous barriers that derive from working within a globalized food system. The authors provide a framework for these NGOs to capitalize on their many strengths by engaging even more with local organizations and universities.