London-Middlesex Food Charter Initiative
OUR FOOD SYSTEM. OUR VISION. OUR VOICE.
Beginning in 2026 and continuing into 2027, MLFPC has been engaged in the process of creating an updated Food Charter for London-Middlesex. A Food Charter is a broad community statement or set of goals that outline a community’s vision for their local food system. Food Charters reflect the voices of various stakeholders, and therefore encourage community connections and cross-sectorial collaboration. This vision should guide community action and municipal policy development
Call for Community Consultation - We want to hear from you!
MLFPC will be engaging in community consultation over the coming months, to gather much needed community insights into both the feedback and content for the updated Food Charter.
Can’t make these dates? We will also be circulating a Google Form to our contacts and community partners! Stay tuned for updates.
1. In Person Session
Tuesday October 20, 2026
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: The Grove
Refreshments will be provided
Register for SessionFrequently Asked Questions
A Food Charter is a broad community statement or set of goals that outline a community’s vision for their local food system.
Food Charters reflect the voices of various stakeholders, and therefore encourage community connections and cross-sectorial collaboration.
The vision for food charters is typically grounded in the pursuit of a healthy, sustainable, and just food system – this vision should guide community action and municipal policy development
A Food Charter was created in 2011 through the Child and Youth Network (Link to 2011 Food Charter). It envisioned a food secure London, based on a just and sustainable food system, increased food literacy, and sufficient personal income and resources to afford nutritious food
Food Charters are developed through collaboration and consultation with community members and groups, municipal staff, health professionals, food processors and producers, institutional food providers, social justice organizations, academics, and minority group community representatives
While Food Charters are often signed by municipalities, signatories also include businesses, non-profit organizations, public institutions, and individuals.
Canada signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in 1976 – recognizes the “fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger”
Public health units across Southwestern Ontario are very concerned about the growing number of households struggling to afford basic needs such as food. As of 2024, one in four households in Southwestern Ontario, and one in three in London-Middlesex experienced household food insecurity (citation 1, citation 2).
While household food insecurity is a major concern, food insecurity impacts everyone. Access to food is connected to our health and well-being, our local economy, our environment, and the strength of our communities. A food system that works for everyone benefits us all.
A Food Charter provides a shared vision and set of values to help guide decisions, policies, and partnerships that shape our local food system. It brings people together around a common goal: building a community where everyone can access the food they need, while supporting a healthy, equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system for generations to come.