Nourish Nova Scotia is a registered charity working to inspire and equip young people in Nova Scotia to learn about food and transform the food systems around them.

Our Vision is that young people in Nova Scotia are well nourished to live, learn, and play.

Food insecurity is a deepening crisis.

An estimated 38% of children in Nova Scotia live in food-insecure households, affecting their health, well-being, and ability to learn, grow, and thrive.

Access to food education is not equal.

Opportunities to learn and build food skills vary widely based on income, access to community resources, family food practices, and early exposure to food skills.

The future of our food system is at risk.

With fewer farms, less farmland, and an aging agricultural workforce, Nova Scotia needs the next generation of food leaders more than ever.

We believe that every young person deserves the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to build a positive, healthy relationship with food. When we equip youth with hands-on food education, we are not just teaching them how to cook or grow food – we are supporting a thriving, empowered generation that values and protects our local food system. These experiences foster essential life skills while opening pathways to meaningful careers in agriculture, nutrition, food safety, culinary arts, food policy, and community development – sectors that are vital to Nova Scotia’s economy and future workforce.

Nourish Nova Scotia inspires and equips young people to learn about food and transform the food systems around them. Through our programs and partnerships, we work to improve access to nutritious food, create supportive spaces for youth to learn about food, and support young leaders to make our food system better.

Through our work, we are cultivating generations of youth food leaders - confident and capable of supporting individual, family and community health through food, and activating positive food systems change - now, and for generations to come. Our focus areas include:

Food Literacy

Increasing access to nutritious food and hands-on learning opportunities that help young people build confidence and develop essential food knowledge and skills.

Capacity Building

Equipping educators and community partners with the tools, training, and mentorship needed to create supportive food environments and lead impactful youth food programs.

Advocacy

Mobilizing youth and partners to help shape sustainable, just, and equitable food systems while amplifying youth voices in food systems advocacy and decision-making.