Our Work
The Bow Valley Food Alliance (BVFA) is a Collective Impact Organization working to improve food security in the Bow Valley. We bring together nonprofits, businesses, government, and community groups to find long-term solutions. Instead of working alone, we collaborate to make sure everyone has access to fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate food.
We’re proud to be a Good Food Organization in alliance with Community Food Centres Canada. This means we’re part of a growing network of groups across the country that are working toward a fresh and fair food system. Together, we’re committed to offering healthy and respectful food programs in our communities.
BVFA focuses on local economic strength, environmental care, reconciliation, shared knowledge, innovation, and education. Our work began in 2013 with community conversations supported by the Town of Banff. By 2016, we formed an action group, and in 2020, we became an independent non-profit to better serve communities from Lake Louise to Mînî Thnî and the Stoney Nakoda Nations.
We support local farmers, ranchers, and food businesses and promote fair and sustainable food practices. By working together, we build stronger connections to food—and to each other—creating a healthier, more engaged community.
Our Vision
Our vision is to foster community-based food systems that are equitable and ecologically-regenerative, resulting in food sovereignty for all of the diverse communities in the Bow Valley.
Our Mission
We are a network committed to creating local food systems that are healthy, socially-just, collaborative, diverse, and accessible. These food systems are based in vibrant regional economies, respect for the earth and environment, reconciliation, intergenerational knowledge, system innovation and education.
Medicine Walk and Tea Workshop at the Whyte Museum
What We Do
Connecting people – facilitating and strengthening interactions, identifying community needs and gaps & creating responsive and relevant initiatives to tackle them; bringing people together, starting from what exists
Coordinating efforts - to make the best use of our resources, accessing mutual funding and volunteer opportunities
Advocating for change – speaking with one voice to change policies and challenge the status quo i.e. the belief that access to affordable, healthy food will always be limited in the Bow Valley
Educating – increasing awareness & knowledge in the broader community, by serving as content experts in community food security
Inspiring action – leading by example, generating momentum & empowering community leaders, creating a replicable model
Who We Are
Meet the passionate people behind the Bow Valley Food Alliance who bring their knowledge, experience, and dedication to building a stronger, more connected local food system.
