In Kamloops, the food system plays an important part of our history, our local economy, and our social and ecological fabric. Kamloops has a vibrant local food community, including farmers and artisans, year-round farmers' markets, community gardens, community kitchens, a robust gleaning program, an active food policy council (the Kamloops Food Policy Council), the Kamloops Food Bank, and a range of food services. 

The Community Food Asset Map is intended to help promote and build awareness of initiatives, programs, and community resources that support the local food system and help increase food access for residents. This interactive map shows the location of community and school gardens, farmers' markets, yard waste sites, community meal and emergency food programs, urban agriculture education sites, and edible fruit and nut trees on public lands.

Community Food Asset Map

The benefits of urban agriculture are wide-ranging and include:

• Improving access to fresh, affordable, healthy food
• Promoting physical exercise, mental health, social interaction, and improved quality of life through activities like community gardening
• Promoting community education about diverse aspects of the local food system and ecology
• Promoting development of small businesses and stimulating the local economy

Graphic recording from Stakeholder Forum, June 25, 2014. T. Gadsby, Drawing Out Ideas.