Saskatoon city hall is piloting a new initiative to combat food insecurity by establishing food forests in two west-side parks, Broughton Park and Leif Erickson Park. This project aims to enhance access to healthy food options for residents in low-income neighborhoods, where grocery stores are sparse. The food forests will feature a variety of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, including saskatoon berries, raspberries, and apples, reflecting community input on plant selection. The initiative, costing $360,000, is partially funded by a federal infrastructure grant. City sustainability specialist Shannon Dyck emphasized that while these projects won’t solve food insecurity entirely, they represent a step toward finding solutions. The food forests are expected to be ready for public access by 2028.
Why It Matters
Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Saskatoon, with the city reporting a significant rise in food bank use from 63,166 food hampers in 2022 to 95,442 in 2023. Saskatchewan faces higher-than-average rates of poverty at 11.6% and food insecurity at 26.7%, contributing to the challenges faced by residents, especially in neighborhoods without grocery access. Historically, food forests have been used by Indigenous peoples in the Americas, showcasing a sustainable method for food production. Initiatives like these can help improve community resilience by providing nutritious food options and addressing underlying social issues related to food access.
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