Healthy Alberta Communities is part of an ambitious group that is working to bring nutritious, inexpensive food to residents of Norwood / North Central Edmonton.

Dianne Gillespie, the community coordinator for Healthy Alberta Communities in Norwood / North Central Edmonton, is also one of the founding members of this social enterprise group. “We are converting underutilized greenhouse and arable space to local food production and hoping to increase the affordability of local fresh fruits and vegetables,” says Gillespie. Local greenhouse space and land will be used to grow a combination of food.  Some of the food will be sold to local businesses to provide financial support to keep the project running.  The rest of the food will be distributed to community residents in Norwood.

This project has widespread support. Alberta Health Services - Capital Health, the City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Food Bank, Original Fare Edmonton, the Social Enterprise Fund and the University of Alberta are all participants.

The project, still in the planning and development phase is looking for more partners to help make the plan a reality. Partners will have access to staff support, business planning, capital funding and distribution networks.