Building resilient northern food systems through research and collaboration

Future Harvest Partnership

The Future Harvest Partnership is a multi-year research collaboration working to strengthen local food systems across the Northwest Territories. By bringing together researchers, food producers, Indigenous partners, communities, and decision-makers, the project supports knowledge-sharing, innovation, and policy that respond to northern realities and climate change

What Is the Future Harvest Partnership?

The Future Harvest Partnership is a collaboration between Wilfrid Laurier University, the Territorial Agrifood Association, and the Government of the Northwest Territories (Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment).

Supported by an interdisciplinary research team and informed by Indigenous knowledge and community experience, the project works alongside food system actors across the NWT to explore practical solutions to food production, access, and resilience in a changing northern climate.

Strengthening collaboration to support local food production in the NWT

This objective focuses on bringing together people involved in food growing, harvesting, research, and decision-making to share knowledge, build relationships, and co-develop solutions that support a stronger northern food system.

What We’re Doing

Research and data collection
Workshops, webinars, and meetings
Community engagement and collaboration

Year 1 Highlights

Surveys and engagement activities
Virtual workshops and webinars
Early research and planning work

What This Will Support

Stronger connections between food system actors
Better knowledge-sharing and communication
Research that reflects community priorities

Support Participatory Research

Work with growers and harvesters to co-design and test research that responds to real northern food production needs.

Connect Producers and Consumers

Explore ways to strengthen local food networks and improve access to locally grown and harvested food.

Project Objectives

Build a Community of Practice

Support collaboration and knowledge-sharing among food producers, harvesters, researchers, and decision-makers across the NWT.

Work Toward Net-Zero Agriculture

Explore how local food production can reduce emissions and contribute to Canada’s net-zero goals through sustainable practices.

Strengthen Food System Resilience

Understand how climate change and environmental disruption affect food systems and identify ways communities can adapt.

Why This Work Matters

Food systems in the North face unique challenges — from climate change and wildfires to transportation, access, and cost. The Future Harvest Partnership focuses on research that helps communities adapt, plan, and strengthen local food production and distribution in ways that reflect northern values and realities.

Future Harvest Partnership

What Is the Future Harvest Partnership?