Food System Asset Mapping Working Group
The Food System Asset Mapping Working Group is developing a comprehensive food asset map to help Edmonton community members and funders better understand local food resources and identify service gaps, while strengthening access and opportunities for collaboration. The map will showcase a wide range of assets, including free and low-cost food access points, food skills and literacy programs, and urban growing resources.
What We’ve Done So Far
The team has made steady progress in shaping the first versions of the tool. Finding inspiration from SFU Food Systems Lab, Strathcona Food Asset Map, and Vancouver Food Asset Map teams, this working group decided to utilize Google Maps as the platform for ease of use and broad accessibility. The group are actively collecting and consolidating data to build the foundations of the asset map, while identifying what is within the scope and capacity of the project.
The Food Asset Working Group hopes to utilize a dual-version approach. Version 1.0 will be tailored for community members, while Version 1.1 will be best suited for service providers. There are challenges, including data collection and access to information to inform the map; ensuring detailed information of resources is available while keeping the map usable and easy to maintain; ensuring the information collective remains current and sustainability in maintenance of the food asset map.
What’s Next?
As we enter the final 6 months of the project, the next phase of work will include:
Completing the remaining datasets and ensuring removal of duplicate information while managing complexity
Gain feedback to refine map content from community and service providers
Build an action plan for long-term sustainability planning for the map.
Our hope is to fully launch the Food Asset Map at our wrap-up celebration, planned for June 10, 2026.
