Transition Practice Study. From individual action to systems change: Instituting values-based food procurement

This practice study follows Dan Munshaw, an innovator in the City of Thunder Bay’s Supply Management Division, through three significant milestones in his pursuit of values-based food procurement. Dan’s journey illustrates how anchor institutions like municipalities, long-term care facilities and hospitals can use their financial and moral leadership to create greater health and equity for their communities.

THE PROBLEM: The City of Thunder Bay, in Northwestern Ontario, was purchasing food for its long-term care homes and other operations from large, broadline distributors based on lowest cost, and wanted to leverage its spend to benefit the community. The City also recognized that its significant First Nations population had been disenfranchised through decades of colonialism and racism, and the City was primed to work toward reconciliation and inclusion.

THE INTERVENTION: Procurement manager Dan Munshaw was willing to learn and to experiment as he seized opportunities to advance diversity and inclusion through food. Dan developed procurement practices and policies, embedding values around local, sustainable and culturally responsive food. He challenged existing policy barriers by creating tools to enable procurement from local farmers and Indigenous hunters and gatherers.

THE OUTCOMES: The City of Thunder Bay’s annual spending on local food is now tracked and has increased from 15% of total spending on food in 2012 to 34% in 2018. The more profound outcomes are the reciprocal relationships of trust Dan has formed with Indigenous communities and the ways he has empowered and supported community organizations.

THE SYSTEMIC IMPACTS: The City of Thunder Bay’s leadership on social procurement showcases what is possible when a champion is given the mandate to learn and innovate, and is willing to challenge the status quo. Anecdotal stories reveal emerging trust between the City and grassroots and Indigenous organizations that can lead to a more resilient place and community. The City’s quantifiable success also demonstrates how this leading-edge work can be scaled through policy and the dissemination of tools.