Our Food Future: 50 x 50 x 50 by 2025

Consultation has concluded

Imagine a food system where there’s no such thing as waste and where everyone has access to the healthy, nutritious food they need.

Imagine a living lab that promotes collaboration between food entrepreneurs, farmers, researchers and social innovators — and a rural-urban partnership that leverages smart technology to make it all possible.

A global transformation has begun — and Guelph/Wellington aims to lead the way. Our goal is to become Canada's first technology-enabled circular food economy.

Food is a fundamental requirement of life and the basic structure of today's linear "take-make-dispose" food system is unsustainable economically, socially and environmentally. By fostering a rural-urban partnership and bringing the food system and communities back into healthy balance, we hope to achieve our bold vision of 50 x 50 x 50 by 2025:

50% increase in access to affordable, nutritious food;
50 new food businesses and collaboration opportunities; and
50% increase in economic revenues by reducing and reimagining our food waste.

Guelph/Wellington has been named a finalist in Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge, and together we have a chance to win $10 million to put our vision into action. Help us create the food community of the future — Our Food Future.

Imagine a food system where there’s no such thing as waste and where everyone has access to the healthy, nutritious food they need.

A global transformation has begun — and Guelph/Wellington aims to lead the way. Our goal is to become Canada's first technology-enabled circular food economy.

50% increase in access to affordable, nutritious food;
50 new food businesses and collaboration opportunities; and
50% increase in economic revenues by reducing and reimagining our food waste.

Consultation has concluded

Guelph-Wellington chosen for international food study

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A reputation for food innovation and environmental sustainability has garnered Guelph-Wellington international attention

The City of Guelph and County of Wellington has been selected to collaborate with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation – headquartered in the UK with recent expansion into North American – as a part of the Foundation’s Cities and the Circular Economy for Food initiative.

The initiative brings together a diverse group of food system stakeholders to rethink our approach to food production and consumption for a more regenerative, effective global food system. Read more!
Guelph-Wellington named finalist in Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge

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One of 10 awarded $250,000 on road to $10 million prize
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced finalists in the national Smart Cities Challenge today, with the Guelph-Wellington County entry named one of 10 in its population category and awarded $250,000 to further develop its bid for a $10 million prize.
The Guelph-Wellington bid is entered in the category for communities with populations up to 500,000, which drew more than 100 proposals. It was developed in partnership with the University of Guelph, Conestoga College and dozens of other experts, entrepreneurs, innovators and community champions. Read more!
Guelph-Wellington in the running for Smart Cities Challenge

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Pitch to be Canada’s first circular food economy could net region $10 million prize
The City of Guelph and County of Wellington are vying to win the Government of Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge with a proposal to create the first circular food economy in Canada.
The vision behind the proposal was unveiled today at an event where Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, Wellington County Warden Dennis Lever, and Chief Administrative Officers of the City and County thanked Guelph’s Member of Parliament, Lloyd Longfield, for his pledge to champion it on Parliament Hill. Read more!
City of Guelph bidding for $10 million in Smart Cities Challenge

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The City of Guelph is leading a bid that will capitalize on the community’s expertise in agri-tech, food sciences and agriculture, and could result in a $10 million prize through the Government of Canada's Smart Cities Challenge. Read more!