2.1.5 Community Priorities

2.1.5 Community Priorities

The community survey provided a clear picture of respondents’ foodrelated priorities. Refer to Section 1.3 for methodology details and response overview and to Appendix B for community engagement results.

Overall, what was most important to respondents was being able to access local food. Second, was being able to buy food at low prices, and third, was being able to buy food conveniently.

In terms of being able to access food, 32% of respondents indicated that they face challenges in being able to access food in this way. For some it was an issue of insufficient income or the high cost of food, for others they found the distance to grocery stores too far, while others found buying local food inconvenient or impractical. For those who prefer to grow their own food, their challenges relate to the lack of space available to garden in multi-unit housing complexes, small yards, or the cost of tools, supplies, or water. Several respondents face medical or physical challenges which hamper their mobility and ability to go grocery shopping.

Food Access Priorities

1. That I can buy local food. 2. That I can buy food at low prices. 3. That I can buy food conveniently (at the nearest store). 4. That I can grow my own food. 5. That I can buy organic food. 6. That I can buy food in bulk (e.g., making periodic trips to Costco). 7. That I can hunt, fish, or wild harvest (gather from natural areas) at least a portion of my and my family's food.

Where do people get their food?

8. Patio planters 9. Convenience Store 10. Produce box program 11. Meal prep service 12. Backyard chicken coops 13. Charitable food service 14. Community garden 15. Fruit tree gleaning 1. Grocery Store 2. Restaurant take out/fast food 3. Farmer's Market 4. Backyard Garden 5. Wholesaler/bulk 6. Directly from farms 7. Produce sharing

According to the community survey, 98% of respondents shop at grocery stores. The next most common places to get food were restaurant take out or fast food (50%) and the farmer’s market (45%). There are a variety of places and ways however that respondents get their food. Some buy directly from farms, others receive food from their family and friends, some have backyard gardens, and still others use the community garden or receive food through a charitable food service.

The diversity of ways which residents of Penticton buy, grow, and receive food indicate that strategies to support food access need to be varied and adapted to specific community needs.

Key challenges Opportunities

• Buying local food is inconvenient or too costly. • Lack of space to have a garden or lack of funds to garden. • Develop strategies to make local food access more convenient. • Continue with farmers’ market coupon program and identify other opportunities to lower economic barriers. • Look at opportunities to have more public gardening space in

Penticton.