Welcome to an online map where you can find locations involved in food security, food resources, and local producers that will continue to be updated as our communities grow and change. We hope these maps are helpful to you, connecting you with places, people, and producers you may not have known before. Ultimately, our foremost goal is to make Red Deer a food-secure community. By mapping these vital resources and building a support network, we aim to ensure that everyone in our city has access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration, demonstrating that through community efforts and thoughtful planning, we can reduce food insecurity and foster resilience within Red Deer and Central Alberta.
Food Security Map
This map highlights a variety of local food assets, including free meal programs, food banks, community gardens, and cooking classes. You’ll also find opportunities to learn about growing your own food, along with locations that provide vital food assistance. Additionally, the map features international food markets offering a diverse range of products. Whether you're seeking a nutritious meal, learning to cultivate your own food, or exploring global cuisine, the Food Security Map connects you to the resources that ensure everyone in Red Deer has access to healthy, affordable food.
Local Food Map
This interactive guide showcases the abundance of locally produced food in Red Deer. From breweries and greenhouses to farmers' markets and family-owned farm stores, the map highlights a diverse array of products grown and made right here in our community. Each location offers detailed information on what’s available, where to find it, and when to visit. Whether you're searching for fresh, seasonal produce, handcrafted goods, or locally brewed beverages, the Local Food Map connects you to the heart of Red Deer’s vibrant local food scene.
For people…
If you have suggestions on how to improve the map or an update on one of the pins and its information, you can contact us.
For agencies…
Engage with your community and resources like the Red Deer Food Map to understand how you can fill need at a local level.
For producers…
Reach out to us if you’d like to featured on the Red Deer Food Map or you need us to update your information.
Background
This project has been in development for quite some time, beginning in January 2024 when Michaela Nielsen, a second-year social work student at Red Deer Polytechnic, took it on during her practicum with the Common Ground Garden Project and ReThink Red Deer. Under the guidance of Rene from Common Ground and ReThink, Michaela was introduced to the emerging and invaluable field of asset mapping. Inspired by her social work education, she focused her research on free food resources and community programs aimed at reducing food insecurity in Red Deer.
With support from Rene, the Red Deer Food Bank, and the Local Food Movement Group, this project gained backing from the City of Red Deer through the Environmental Initiatives Grant. In the spring of 2024, Michaela began meeting regularly with the Local Food Movement group — a group of creative and passionate Red Deerians who, too, share a vision of a more food-secure Red Deer. Together, they worked to create not only a Food Security Map (also known as a food asset map) but also a local food map. With the realization that we are all so fortunate to live, grow, and learn on Treaty 6 & 7 territory, where all living things grow bountifully, the group decided to expand the project to include the local producers within an approximate 30-minute radius of Red Deer. This was done with the belief that food security comprises of organizations, resources, and retail avenues, as well as the local producers who work tirelessly to feed us, too.
