Grow Strategy Mapping Working Group
The Grow Plan Working Group is developing a “staircase of growing success” to strengthen an equitable, diverse, and community-led food-growing ecosystem in Edmonton. The initiative responds to two central challenges: widespread food insecurity and the need for better access to culturally relevant foods.
What We’ve Done So Far
The group has been meeting regularly to collaboratively design and refine the Grow Plan. Through ongoing discussions and iterative improvements, they have shaped a structure that reflects community priorities, equity goals, and practical pathways for expanding and growing opportunities across the city. As the end of 2025 approaches, the team is working to finalize written sections of the plan and convert them into a visual framework to improve clarity and highlight connections between components. This will be key to ensuring content is clear, actionable and accessible for feedback. The strategy also touches on and is being developed at a time when there are larger systemic challenges to urban agriculture, including funding cuts, unsustainable land access, and resource instability. The hope is to ensure the Grow Strategy becomes a catalyst for action rather than another static report.
What’s Next?
Preparations are underway for community consultations with two key audiences: individuals and groups who need resources, and those who can offer them. Engagement plans include newcomer-serving organizations, growing groups, and community leagues. The group has also highlighted the need for diverse voices and ensuring Indigenous food sovereignty perspectives are meaningfully included. As we move closer to completing a cohesive draft for community feedback, the working group is preparing materials for focus groups to happen in Spring 2026, with launch planned in June 2026. The completion of the Grow Strategy will mark the beginning of a long-term effort that depends on multi-stakeholder collaboration and sustained community engagement.
