Gathering on the Prairies: Community, collaboration, and Indigenous leadership
July 14, 2025
As world leaders gathered in Kananaskis, Alberta for the G7 Summit, something just as important, and perhaps more urgent, was happening a short distance away in Calgary.
Community food leaders from across the Prairies came together to share insights, deepen connections, and respond to the escalating food insecurity rates across the region.
Alberta has the highest rate of food insecurity among the provinces. Alongside supporting the community food sector as a whole, we also do advocacy work through our Regional Networks, including the Prairies Regional Network (see our Poverty Action Unit for more information).
To look up your address and find out how poverty and food insecurity impact your community, visit our statistics tool at www.foodsecuritynow.ca.
Why we gather
Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) co-hosted the event alongside The Alex Community Food Centre, NorWest Co-op Community Food Centre, and Turnor Lake & Birch Narrows Community Food Centre.
Our in–person gatherings create deeper connections and momentum in our work, and allow us to focus on the specific needs of communities in different regions.
Altogether, 150 people from 60 community food organizations attended our Prairies Gathering, mostly from communities throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, with some folks from outside the Prairies also joining in.
We explored how local, community-rooted responses are rising up to meet this moment and take action on food insecurity.
A welcoming experience
Regional gatherings such as this one are designed to strengthen regional networks and support collective advocacy efforts. This year’s focus included four key areas: building deeper connections through unstructured time and peer learning; engaging in collective advocacy around shared priorities; surfacing local and regional issues; and expanding access by hosting events closer to communities that may not be able to attend national gatherings like the Food Summit.
During the two-day gathering, participants dove into breakout sessions on a range of urgent and inspiring topics, from youth food programs to the ever-evolving challenges of fundraising for this critical work—grounded in local context and community priorities.
Check out our recap of the first day of the Gathering on Instagram.
One participant shared: “It was a very positive and welcoming experience. The event provided a great opportunity to understand CFCC’s mission and values, and to connect with other organizations working toward similar goals. The sessions were engaging and well-organized, and the CFCC team was approachable and helpful throughout. It inspired us to deepen our collaboration moving forward.”
We made time and space for rest and joy at the Prairies Gathering as well. This was an intentional choice, recognizing the toll it takes on community food workers as more people turn to them for support, while the food insecurity crisis continues to deepen around them.
Participants had the opportunity to connect during evening socials, where we enjoyed vibing to music by DJ Sarah Good Medicine.
Indigenous leadership in food security and food sovereignty
One of the breakout sessions at the Prairies Gathering was Putting Groundwork for Change into Practice, a hands-on workshop designed to help participants move from theory to action. Facilitated by Raymond Jordan Johnson-Brown, CFCC’s Indigenous Network Manager, the session invited attendees to explore how to embed Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural dignity, and sustainable life cycles into their work.
Building on last year’s launch of the Groundwork for Change zine and documentary, this session also introduced a new workbook as a practical tool to support implementation and reflection. Through storytelling, hands-on exercises, and collective reflection, participants began mapping out how the Groundwork framework could guide their programming and advocacy.
A creative initiative bringing fresh, affordable food to Mînî Thnî, Alberta
Among the many inspiring individuals present at the Prairies Gathering were two fierce advocates for health and food justice, Nikita Scringer, CEO of Fresh Routes and a MasterChef Canada contestant, and Paige Thomsen from Stoney Health Services, licensed dietitian, who is also a stand-up comedian.
Together, their organizations collaborate on the Stoney Nakoda Market in Mînî Thnî, Alberta, an initiative that brings fresh, affordable food to people in the region. This is a shining example of grassroots work in action.
Thank you
Of course, no food gathering would be complete without food itself. We are grateful for nourishing meals provided by incredible Good Food Organizations including CANAVUA (Canadian Volunteers United in Action Society) and Soup Sisters. And we enjoyed a memorable demonstration on preparing and cooking country foods in Northern Saskatchewan, by Rebecca from Turnor Lake & Birch Narrows CFC in conversation with Gii from The Alex CFC.
Folks who attended the Prairies Gathering have reported back that they appreciated thoughtful, intentional conversations where they felt heard, and are now busy creating fruitful partnerships with other community food organizations in the region.
Thank you to every partner who showed up ready to share, learn, and keep working toward a future where the right to food is realized for everyone.
