VIHA recognizes the importance of developing community partnerships for the purposes of building community food security on Vancouver Island. Using the principles of health promotion, the strategy of building capacity and empowering communities guides the VIHA Food Security program.
In 2008-2009, VIHA implemented a strategy in partnership with five community agencies that were leading in food security planning within their jurisdictions. These agencies are referred to as VIHA Food Security Hubs.
VIHA provides supportive funding to these agencies to bolster their capacity to provide leadership and support, develop communication networks, facilitate dialogue with neighboring communities and municipal and regional governments and collaborate with VIHA and other Hubs across the Health Region.
Established Hubs exist in the Capital Region, the Cowichan Valley, the Nanaimo region and the Comox Valley. Currently, VIHA is collaborating with several communities to support the development of additional Hubs throughout the Vancouver Island Health Region. Please visit the links to the right to find out about the agencies VIHA is working with.