This document summarizes a report on opportunities to strengthen Nova Scotia's agri-food sector through local food production and infrastructure investment. It identifies three main ways the province could benefit economically: increasing food security, developing the labor market, and enhancing food tourism. A series of indicators are presented to measure potential impacts in these areas over time. The document concludes with recommendations to facilitate information sharing, lobby for funding, improve marketing, and track returns on investment in Nova Scotia's local food sector.

1. i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
More than ever, there is a growing need to address the stagnant economic growth
in Nova Scotia’s agri-food sector with innovative and engaging solutions. Local
food is widely known as an environmentally and socially conscious alternative to
the industrial food system. Less widely known are the unique and compelling
opportunities it holds to strengthen, diversify, and grow Nova Scotia’s economy. A
New Vision for Nova Scotia’s Food System: Measuring the Potential for Investing
in Local Food Infrastructure establishes a solid foundation of research and
evidence to support investment in local food production and infrastructure.
Specifically, this report focuses on Nova Scotian produce, and does not reference
meat, seafood, or dairy production. In consultation with a wide range of academic
literature and case studies, this report highlights 3 main ways Nova Scotia can
benefit economically from investment in the local food market: increasing
provincial food security, developing the labour market, and enhancing food
tourism. Additionally, we identify the potential impacts of investment in these 3
areas through a series of indicators that can be measured and monitored over time.
Recommendations for the Ecology Action Centre include facilitating information
exchanges, lobbying for grants and funding, improving marketing of Nova Scotia’s
local food sector, and implementing strategies to track returns on investment.
Information gaps identified in the creation of this report include a lack of
communication between stakeholders, and a lack of data specific to the local food
sector.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.......................................................................................................................................................................i!
TABLE OF CONTENTS.........................................................................................................................................................................ii!
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................................................................1!
PROVINCIAL FOOD SECURITY IN NOVA SCOTIA......................................................................................................3!
INDICATORS FOR PROVINCIAL FOOD SECURITY IN NOVA SCOTIA ................................................4!
AGRI-FOOD LABOUR MARKET DEVELOPMENT......................................................................................................6!
INDICATORS FOR AGRI-FOOD LABOUR MARKET DEVELOPMENT ................................................. 7!
FOOD TOURISM IN NOVA SCOTIA......................................................................................................................................... 9!
INDICATORS FOR FOOD TOURISM IN NOVA SCOTIA................................................................................... 10!
INFORMATION GAPS...........................................................................................................................................................................11!
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ECOLOGY ACTION CENTRE.....................................................................12!
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................................................................................14!
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................................................................................15!
APPENDIX................................................................................................................................................................................................20!
APPENDIX A: INDICATOR TABLE...................................................................................................................................20!