Supporting food security in the Far North: Community greenhouse projects in Nunavik and Nunavut

Abstract (Full-text only available in French)

Development of northern agriculture is seen as an innovative solution to the great challenges of food security in the villages of Nunavik and Nunavut. Establishing a community greenhouse can improve the health and well-being of Inuit communities by sustainably increasing the supply of fresh local produce and by improving food quality while not ignoring the cultural dimension of food security. This article describes community greenhouse projects in Kuujjuaq (Nunavik) and Iqaluit (Nunavut), and a current study on the feasibility of a community greenhouse project in Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik). We first present our methodology which follows the principles of community-based participatory research. We then turn to the main avenues of our research: the contribution of a greenhouse project to food security and sovereignty and the technical and organizational challenges of optimizing a greenhouse in a northern setting. Through this interdisciplinary project, it is possible to work with the community to build a local and sustainable food supply system and learn how a horticultural project can improve the quality of life and health of its inhabitants.

 

To read or cite this paper:

Lamalice, A., Avard, E., Coxam, V., Herrmann, T., Desbiens, C., Wittrant, Y., & Blangy, S. (2016). Soutenir la securite alimentaire dans le Grand Nord: Projets communautaires d’agriculture sous serre au Nunavik et au Nunavut. Etudes inuit. Inuit studies, 40(1), 147.