Background: Food Framework

An inter-departmental team developed the framework, aligning with Council’s strategic priorities and building off work by the PhD-Community Initiative research in 2024. The framework includes five pillars (Food Access, Food Infrastructure & Distribution, Food System Governance, Food Education & Literacy and Food Production) each with an environmental scan of current activities, initial recommendations and key performance indicators.

As part of the community food inventory, staff have already developed two important resources for the community:

  • A list of local low-to-no-cost food resources, including but not limited to Community Food Programs, community garden locations, cultural food stores, farm stands and low-cost grocery stores (Community Food Resources | Open Data Kingston).

  • A Food Supports webpage with direct links to food charities that members of the community can visit should they be interested in donating (Food Supports | City of Kingston).

Recognizing the role of the municipality in the context of a food framework, the plan will emphasize the importance of strategic partnerships to encourage collaboration.

Community engagement

Staff engaged with key groups such as the Rural Working Group, the Food Policy Council, EDI committee, Economic Development partners and Public Health to align goals, identify actions and programs and to incorporate their feedback into the framework.

Additional funding

As part of the 2025 operating budget, a one-time contribution of $200,000 for food programs was approved. This is in addition to the $100,000 in remaining 2025 ‘Fines For Food’ funding, bringing the total food program budget for 2025 to $300,000. Staff were directed to report back to Council in spring 2025 with a proposed plan for how to allocate these funds.

Based on the findings and recommendations in the various areas of the framework and the engagement with partners, staff proposed a funding application process with four funding streams: meal provision and food access, small capital and infrastructure enhancement, innovative projects and pilot initiatives, and food business start-up grants.

Next steps

The Food Framework and food program funding was endorsed by City Council on May 20, 2025. The document can be viewed on the City of Kingston's website.

Staff will begin implementing the recommendations and collaborate with partners, organizations, agencies, associations and businesses within the community. The framework is a living document, and we'll continue to connect with external programs, strategies and goals to expand upon the municipal role, identify the gaps that exist and measure progress over time. Staff will report back to Council annually on the food framework implementation.