The Halifax Innovation District and the professional services firm Davis Pier have launched the new Food Security Innovation initiative to seek innovative ways to improve access to food in Halifax.
The two groups are asking to hear from community members and organizations, such as restaurants, farmers’ markets, schools or food banks, who are interested in developing and testing new ideas to address food insecurity. The goal is to work on new ideas to ensure all Haligonians have sufficient access to nutritious, affordable food.
The two groups will receive applications, found here, until Nov. 16.
“Despite strong economic growth, Halifax is one of the most food insecure cities in Canada with 1 in 6 households not having access to nutritious, affordable food,” said Halifax Partnership President and CEO Wendy Luther in a statement. “Through the Halifax Innovation District and Halifax Innovation Outpost, we are excited to launch this initiative with Davis Pier that will support individuals and community organizations in advancing ideas and solutions that will create lasting change in Halifax’s food system.”
The Innovation District – which is overseen by the Halifax Partnership – set up its Halifax Innovation Outpost a year ago. It aims to work with various groups to encourage innovation that achieves social goals within Halifax, and its City as a Living Lab initiative aims to help startups beta-test their products.
Last month, the Outpost launched the first beta-test through City as a Living Lab when Rimot.io piloted its RimotHealth device at the Halifax Partnership office and at Volta. Now the Food Security Innovation initiative is the Outpost’s first social innovation project.
In this project, the Innovation District has teamed up with Davis Pier, a professional services firm that provides innovative solutions to complex government and social challenges. With offices in Halifax, Toronto, and Charlottetown, its team comprises strategists, designers, technologists, project managers, and analysts.
Between now and February, the Innovation District and Davis Pier are hoping to work with participants to develop concepts and prototypes that can be tested within their communities. The program is free and intended for organizations that work at the local level and directly engage with people who have trouble finding food at prices they can afford.
“We firmly believe the energy and knowledge needed to transform our food system lies within communities themselves,” said Mike Davis, Managing Director of Davis Pier. “We’re excited for this opportunity to collaborate with organizations and individuals by providing support to the innovation process and helping them to further develop their concepts and bring them to life.”
Disclosure: The Halfiax Innovation District is a client of Entrevestor.
