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Community Food Systems Report Cards as Tools for Advancing Food Sovereignty in City-Regions

Author

Listed:
  • Charles Z. Levkoe

    (Canada Research Chair in Equitable and Sustainable Food Systems, Lakehead University, Canada)

  • Mary Anne Martin

    (Research for Social Change Lab, Trent University, Canada)

  • Karen Kerk

    (CityStudio, City of Thunder Bay, Canada)

  • Francesca Hannan

    (Durham Food Policy Council, Canada)

Abstract

Developing pragmatic possibilities for advancing food sovereignty to address challenges of justice and sustainability within food systems is an essential project for human survival. A practical starting point is to identify existing challenges along with comprehensive strategies that avoid isolated fixes. Community food systems report cards are a tool to inform and influence city-region food system governance by providing a connected and comprehensive snapshot of these systems, connecting people, places, and processes, and informing research, decision-making, and program planning. This article explores and reflects on the experiences of developing community food systems report cards in Thunder Bay and Durham Region in Ontario, Canada. Through sharing lessons learned, cautions, and limitations, we explore the report cards’ origins, development processes, findings, distribution, and impacts. We argue that community food systems report cards can be a valuable tool for understanding a city-region food system, monitoring progress, identifying gaps, and comparing and communicating experiences to communities, food system stakeholders, and decision-makers. However, community food systems report cards are only the starting point for advancing food sovereignty in city-region food systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Z. Levkoe & Mary Anne Martin & Karen Kerk & Francesca Hannan, 2025. "Community Food Systems Report Cards as Tools for Advancing Food Sovereignty in City-Regions," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:urbpla:v10:y:2025:a:9413
    DOI: 10.17645/up.9413
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alison Blay-Palmer & Guido Santini & Marielle Dubbeling & Henk Renting & Makiko Taguchi & Thierry Giordano, 2018. "Validating the City Region Food System Approach: Enacting Inclusive, Transformational City Region Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-23, May.
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