Central Island Region

School Districts
68, 69, 70

Community Animator
Tessa Stiven
tessa.stiven@nullfarmtoschoolbc.ca

About the Hub
The Central Island region covers a geographical area that stretches from Gabriola Island, through Port Alberni to the west coast, which includes School Districts 68, 69, and 70. A large geographical area, with distinct food systems, including urban farms such as the 5 Acre Farm project in Nanaimo, and Nu-Chah-Nulth fishing traditions of the west coast of the island.

In 2018, a Farm to School Advisory Committee was launched and has met bi-monthly since. The committee is made up of farmers, teachers, non-profit organizations, school district members, and health specialists. We have had the tremendous pleasure to partner with local food security champions Nanaimo Foodshare, who have been a leader in food literacy, and community food security in the region for over two decades.

2019 – 2020 has been an especially active year in the region, with the advisory committee growing to over 10 members, and multiple working groups focused on specific issues around food security in schools have emerged.

2021: Central Island Spring Celebration Field Trip to 5 Acre Farm, Nanaimo (view video)

About the Community Animator
Tessa is grateful to be living, teaching, gardening and raising her family on the traditional and unceeded land of the Quw’utsun Nation. Tessa believes that through food we engage our hands and hearts in growing a connected, equitable and sustainable community.  In the garden, her favourite plants are dried beans – both for their hardy contribution to food security and their exquisite colours and patterns.