Planning for place at the table: A comparative case study of local food systems and community resilience in Terrace and Prince Rupert, BC

This thesis examines the pivotal role of local food systems in enhancing community resilience, focusing on the Northern British Columbia communities of Terrace and Prince Rupert. There are increasing vulnerabilities within global food supply chains that are accentuated by climate change and socio-economic instabilities. Given this context, this study investigates how localized food systems can contribute to a community's resilience, or the capacity to withstand and adapt to external and internal pressures. Set within a qualitative case study approach, this research includes a detailed policy analysis and semi-structured interviews with key community informants that are involved in local food systems. Key informants include policymakers, Indigenous community members, food producers, and not for profit organizations. Findings highlight the importance of integration of local food systems with community resilience through three resilience drivers: social learning, person-place connections, and innovation. The study reveals that local food systems and Indigenous foodways not only bolster food security, but strengthen community bonds, preserve cultural and traditional knowledge, and encourage socio-ecological innovations. The analysis of policy across municipal, regional, and First Nation sources shows varying degrees of recognition and support for local food systems. While western policy sets focus on agriculture and community gardens, Indigenous policies provide a more place-based recognition of traditional foodways and ecological knowledge. Key informant interviews reveal the community's perception of resilience, showing a strong linkage between local food practices and resilience strategies. These include the adaptation of traditional harvesting methods, the revival of communal food networks, and grassroots initiatives that foster resilience through educational and community-building activities. The findings highlighted above illustrate that local food systems are not merely sources of sustenance, but crucial to shaping resilient community structures through continuous learning, cultural reaffirmation, and adaptive governance. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable community planning and climate adaptation by demonstrating the essential role of local food systems in enhancing community resilience. Policymakers must recognize and integrate food systems planning more prominently within resilience planning frameworks, highlighting the multifaceted benefits they provide.