Innovation & Learning Lab
Innovation labs, by their very nature, are about trying several different approaches with the knowledge some will work, and others won’t, but that all efforts yield valuable learning to share and build upon.
We believe the best solutions to complex social problems come from people who experience those issues, so Nova Scotians with lived experience will be at the forefront of the Innovation and Learning Lab. We are committed to doing the work with, not to or for others.
Knowing that equity-deserving groups are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, the Innovation and Learning Lab is committed to centering these communities in everything we do. To this end, we have formed a First Voice Advisory Committee—a group of folks from across the province with lived experience with food insecurity—who receive an honorarium for the time they spend contributing their expertise, to help ground and inform our work.
Since 2024, we have been partnering with the Halifax Food Policy Alliance to support the advancement of the JustFOOD Action Plan for the Halifax Region recommendations. This work involves convening design tables to develop and test a social supermarket service model and an innovative rural food access service model for the region, both of which will promote affordable and dignified access to food.
This work is happening at the same time as we continue our focused efforts to advocate for critical, policy-based solutions to food insecurity—which we all know is a long game.
Innovation Grant
A key pillar of the Innovation and Learning Lab’s work has been to develop a grant project to support innovative ideas that help build food security in Nova Scotia.
2023 Highlights
In 2023 we launched our grant and supported 14 organizations to roll out innovative initiatives to improve food access, grow produce and effect system change across the province.
You can see a summary document of the 2023-24 projects funded and their impact HERE.
2024 Highlights
In 2024, we ran a second cycle of our grant to support 19 innovative community projects, and developed a partnership with JustFOOD, who contributed funding to support additional HRM projects that align with recommendations in the JustFood Action Plan for the Halifax Region.
You can see a summary document of current 2024-25 projects HERE.
New 2025 Grant Opportunities
In 2025, we are continuing our partnership with JustFOOD and are excited to share three food-focused grant streams for community organizations and groups. Please read the eligibility criteria closely for each, as the applications for the Prototype Grant and JustFOOD Community Grant are very similar but have different eligibility.
Feed Nova Scotia Prototype Grant Stream: this stream of work is focused on supporting community-led work to try new or innovative ideas to address food insecurity and to learn about what works, what doesn’t, and why.
To apply for the Feed Nova Scotia Prototype Grant Stream, please click HERE.
Feed Nova Scotia Adaptation Grant Stream: this stream of work is focused on supporting the scale out of two successful ideas from our 2023 grant cycle: a Caja container growing project and a frozen soup distribution project. A toolkit has been developed for each of these initiatives, serving as guides for any group interested in adapting one of the ideas to fit their context.
To review the Caja Container Growing Project Toolkit, please click HERE.
To apply for the Caja Container Growing Project Adaptation Grant, please click HERE.
To review the Frozen Soup Distribution Project Toolkit, please click HERE.
To apply to the Frozen Soup Distribution Project Adaptation Grant, please click HERE.
The JustFOOD Community Grant Stream: this stream of work is funded by JustFOOD and focuses on community-based initiatives that advance the goal of a more healthy, just, and resilient local food system, with increased food justice and sovereignty. This stream is available to community organizations and projects that are located and operate within the Halifax Regional Municipality only.
To apply for the JustFOOD Community Grant Stream, please click HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Click HERE to see our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about our grant opportunities.
Contact:
If you have any questions about Feed Nova Scotia’s prototype or adaptation grant streams, please contact Yemi Babafunso at ybabafunso@feednovascotia.ca or at 902-457-1900 x 258
If you have any questions about the JustFOOD Community Grant Stream, please contact Caitlin Skerratt at Caitlin.skerratt@ecologyaction.ca or at 902-492-2202 x 903