This online participatory mapping tool serves two main purposes.  First, it provides public access to online maps and information about the Central Okanagan food system, including locations of food production, agricultural land and other sites to access food locally.  Second, it allows you and other public participants to discuss and contribute to the maps and information online.  All local residents as well as those interested in or with knowledge of Central Okanagan foods are invited to participate by starting a discussion at a new location, or by adding to an existing discussion. Read more About discussion maps...

The maps published here are compiled from official sources relevant to food security and local food systems. So far, we have asked participants to talk about agricultural land, food distribution, and food on campus. We now want to hear your views about food for low income residents and commodification of food, about our local built environment including housing and transportation systems, and the effect these may have on access to healthy food. Read more About food systems...

This project is a research partnership between UBC Okanagan and the Central Okanagan Food Policy Council. The Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention has contributed funding through a Research Interest Group grant. This research is also GEOIDE funded.  Read more About the project...

Map themes are selected by our advisory committee of local community food leaders to reflect the most relevant issues  Using an online participatory map, this research examines the nature of public participation in this context.  We use maps to facilitate increased understanding of our complex local food system.  Online maps using the Geoweb expand upon the communications potential of the internet, allowing the sharing of local knowledge through community mapping.