Nourishing Sooke from the Ground Up

Agriculture & Food Security

From community gardens to local farms and markets, agriculture plays an important role in supporting local families, strengthening the economy, and caring for the environment.

The District of Sooke is committed to advancing food sovereignty — supporting the right of all residents to access, grow, share, and celebrate food in ways that reflect local values, culture, and stewardship of the environment.

Growing Local Food Systems

Sooke’s approach to food is rooted in community. From backyard gardens to local farms and markets, the District works with residents and partners to strengthen local food systems, support small-scale agriculture, and advance both food security and food sovereignty.

Explore the sections below to learn more:

Supporting Local Agriculture

Agriculture in Sooke is small-scale but meaningful. Our food producers, community growers, and backyard gardeners all contribute to a more connected, self-sufficient community.

The District supports local agriculture through:

Land Use Planning and Policy Development: Aligning local plans, like the Official Community Plan and Agricultural Plan, with support for agriculture and food systems.
Partnerships and Collaboration: Working with community organizations, regional partners, and local growers to strengthen food networks and share resources.
Economic Support: Encouraging farm markets, small-scale agri-tourism, and farm-to-table initiatives that keep food dollars local.

Strengthening Food Security and Advancing Food Sovereignty

Food security ensures that everyone has reliable access to healthy, affordable food. Achieving this in Sooke requires collaboration with community partners, non-profits, and local food networks.

Food sovereignty goes a step further — it’s about empowerment, equity, and connection to place. It recognizes the right of individuals and communities to define their own food systems and make decisions about how food is grown, distributed, and shared.

Key initiatives in Sooke include:

Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture: Supporting shared growing spaces that provide residents with opportunities to cultivate their own food.
Farmers’ Markets & Local Food Access: Promoting the Sooke Region Farmers’ Market and other direct-to-consumer food distribution models.
Food Recovery & Waste Reduction: Partnering with organizations to divert edible food from waste streams and redistribute it to those in need.
Education & Awareness: Hosting workshops and programs on sustainable gardening, food preservation, and climate-resilient agriculture.

How You Can Help

You don’t have to be a farmer to support food resilience in Sooke: