Food Security Plans for the West Coast and Alberni Valley: ACRD

ACRD Food Security Emergency Plans: West Coast and Alberni Valley

(2024-2025)

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD), contracted Upland to develop two (2) Food Security Emergency Plans (FSEP) for the ACRD. One to address the Alberni Valley, and one to Adress the communities of the West Coast of the ACRD.

The Alberni Valley FSEP addresses the needs of the City of Port Alberni, Tseshaht First Nation, and Hupačasath First Nation. The West Coast FSEP addresses the needs of Bamfield, Long Beach, Ucluelet, Tofino, and several Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. These communities face unique vulnerabilities due to geographic isolation, reliance on a single access road, tsunami threat and exposure to climate-driven hazards such as wildfires, droughts, and floods.

Each plan aims to:

Identify opportunities for the ACRD to support community food security in emergency preparedness and response;
Determine food security needs and priorities for the area; and
Develop actionable recommendations to strengthen community food resiliency across the region.

The project took place between September 2024 and December 2025 and was informed by technical research and extensive engagement. Supporting reports, including a Background Report, a What We Heard Engagement Summary Report, and a Livestock Emergency Plan, provided the foundation for the FSEP’s recommendations. Engagement activities involved First Nation communities, the agricultural community, businesses, food security organizations, and local government representatives. Through interviews, presentations, workshops, and surveys, the project team gained critical insights into past and current food system challenges, community food assets, and the gaps and opportunities for both short-term emergency response and long-term resilience.