GROW was established as a result of the call to action for healthy eating, using a food literacy

framework (Food Literacy For Life July 2017). Food Literacy strengthens people’s knowledge about and ability to take action across all components of the food cycle including food productions, distribution, preparation, consumption, access, food marketing and waste handling. Food Literacy matters because it holds the potential to transform the ways people act within the food system bringing about positive change in critical areas. 

 

The Niagara Food Forum Community Report 2019 further recommended promoting advocacy efforts and education, and innovative food provision models to improve food security for all residents in Niagara.

 

According to The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy (OFNS, 2019), “The food environment in Canada has changed substantially over recent decades with the growth of global food systems, that include large scale retail stores, fast-food outlets and highly processed food products that may be negatively associated with health”. In addition, there is a new and innovative shift in how food insecurity is addressed, with a move away from stand-alone emergency food services, to long-term, community-wide strategies that address the core causes of food in-security.