Towards an equitable and sustainable transition of food systems in Mauricie
A systemic analysis of food-related challenges in the Mauricie region is creating the scientific foundation for a local food system governance (LFSG) aimed at achieving a better balance between social, economic, environmental, and governance factors.
In search of balance
Under the leadership of Pr. Laurence Guillaumie (Faculty of Nursing), the project required the collaboration of a broad network of stakeholders and experts in economics, nutrition, agriculture, management, sociology, law, and the environment, who first came together to define what “finding a balance” actually means.
To better address local challenges, the project also incorporated fundamental elements, including justice and equity, decarbonization and climate change adaptation, meaningful public participation, and the concept of circular economy. The research team also focused specifically on food sovereignty for the region’s Indigenous communities through a collaboration with regional Atikamekw organizations.
Local management
The data collected made it possible to formulate recommendations on 10 topics identified as areas of concern by the public, businesses, and local organizations, including climate change and resilience.
The strong engagement of local stakeholders and the public throughout the research process facilitated the uptake of research findings. The region’s Table intersectorielle régionale sur les saines habitudes de vie (TIR-SHV) (Intersectoral regional roundtable on healthy lifestyles) is now responsible for launching the LFSG’s activities, in collaboration with local organizations involved in the various areas of interest.
This project paves the way for social innovations, in particular, publicly-led food management, improved marketing of regional food products, and the assessment of the LFSG’s progress toward greater sustainability.
A growing movement, in Québec and around the world
The LFSG, newly established in Mauricie, is part of a broader movement toward local food systems in Quebec, as well as elsewhere in the world – in particular, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Collaboration amongst LFSGs will make it possible to share and benefit from experiences gained here and elsewhere.
This project was made possible thanks to the ongoing support of representatives from local and regional organizations in the Mauricie region, including: the Table bioalimentaire (PDAAM) (Agri-Food Table), the Table régionale en sécurité alimentaire (Regional table on food security), and the Table intersectorielle régionale sur les saines habitudes de vie (TIR-SHV) (Intersectoral regional roundtable on healthy lifestyles).
This project was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and supported by the Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS) and the Pôle bioalimentaire at the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF). The project brought together experts from several universities in Quebec:
Laure Saulais (economics, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences), Marie-Eve Gaboury Bonhomme (agricultural policy, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences), Geneviève Mercille (nutrition, Université de Montréal), Sophie Dupéré (community health, Faculty of Nursing Science), Olivier Boiral (management, Faculty of Administrative Sciences), David Talbot (public policy, École nationale d’administration publique), Charlotte Giard-Laliberté (agronomist, CETAB+).
