We, the undersigned, demand immediate action to support Nova Scotia’s local farmers and food producers by creating a centralized, accessible platform for purchasing local food.

Why This Matters:
For far too long, Nova Scotians have been forced to rely on large corporations like Sobeys and Walmart, which flood grocery store shelves with GMO, lab-grown, and chemically treated food that is harmful to our health and our environment. Meanwhile, local farmers and small-scale producers are left struggling to survive, unable to compete because their products are not easily accessible to the average consumer.

The reality is, local farmers cannot thrive or grow without a centralized platform that gives their products visibility and makes them easily accessible. Without this, local food will continue to be pushed aside, and corporate-controlled food systems will only grow stronger.

We are calling on Nova Scotia’s agricultural organizations, local governments, and community leaders to step up and create a centralized marketplace for local food. This platform should include:

Local grocery stores in each city across Nova Scotia offering fresh, locally produced food from local farmers. A unified online platform where Nova Scotians can easily order directly from local farmers and have food delivered or available for pick-up. This is the only way we can ensure that Nova Scotia’s local agriculture survives and grows, while also giving Nova Scotians access to healthy, sustainable food that is free from harmful chemicals, GMOs, and lab-grown alternatives.

The Time to Act is NOW

Each year, large corporations are gaining more control over our food system, pushing local farmers out of business. Without action, local food will become increasingly difficult to access, and our farmers will be forced to close their doors for good.

We demand that organizations like the following take immediate steps to create a centralized platform for local food:

1. Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA)
Role: Represents and supports Nova Scotia's farmers. They advocate for policies and initiatives that benefit local farmers.
Website: https://nsfa-fane.ca/
Contact:Email: nsfa@nsfa-fane.ca
Phone: 902-893-2293
Address: 60 Research Dr, Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2

2. Agriculture Nova Scotia
Role: The provincial government body that works with farmers and promotes Nova Scotia’s agricultural industry.
Website: https://novascotia.ca/agri/
Contact:Email: agriculture@novascotia.ca
Phone: 902-424-0504
Address: 1701 Hollis Street, Suite 900, Halifax, NS

3. Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia
Role: An organization that represents farmers’ markets throughout the province. They play a key role in advocating for local food access and connecting farmers with customers.
Website: https://www.farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca/
Contact:Email: info@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca
Phone: 902-425-1247
Address: PO Box 358, Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

4. Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC)
Role: A major institution involved in agricultural education and research, NSAC can offer expertise in how to improve the local food system.
Website: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture.html
Contact:Email: agriculture@dal.ca
Phone: 902-893-6600
Address: 1-740 College Road, Truro, NS

5. NS Local Food Security Working Group
Role: A collective of individuals and organizations working to increase food security for Nova Scotians, including through local food systems.
Website: https://foodsecurity.ns.ca/
Contact:Email: info@foodsecurity.ns.ca
Phone: 902-422-1011
Address: 2359 Agricola Street, Halifax, NS B3K 4B3

6. Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Role: Works with municipalities to promote local food systems and may help in developing infrastructure to support local food accessibility.
Website: https://novascotia.ca/municipalaffairs/
Contact:Email: municipalaffairs@novascotia.ca
Phone: 902-424-4450
Address: 1741 Brunswick Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3X8

7. Atlantic Canada Organic Regional Network (ACORN)
Role: ACORN is dedicated to supporting organic farming in the Atlantic region and could be a valuable partner in promoting local and organic food.
Website: https://acornorganic.org/
Contact:Email: info@acornorganic.org
Phone: 902-893-0253
Address: 60 Research Dr, Bible Hill, NS B6L 2R2

8. Local Food Advocate Organizations
Role: Local groups and non-profits that advocate for the growth of sustainable and local food systems.
Example: Eat Local NS – A non-profit organization that connects local farms and businesses with consumers.Website: https://www.eatlocal.org/
Contact: info@eatlocal.org
 
Sign Now to Show Your Support for Local Farmers!
By signing this petition, you are standing with local farmers and demanding that Nova Scotia create a centralized platform for local food, so farmers can gain the visibility and market access they need to grow their businesses, and so consumers can have easier access to healthier, local food.

Together, we can support local agriculture, fight back against corporate control, and ensure a future where Nova Scotians have the power to choose healthy, sustainable, local food.

 Sign the petition and share it with your community. Together, we can make local food the first choice for Nova Scotians.

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