Local idea of a circular food economy wins first place in its category in federal government contest

OTTAWA - The Guelph-Wellington County idea of a circular food economy has won a $10 million prize in the federal government Smart Cities Challenge.

The local bid, titled Our Food Future, was named first place in its category Tuesday at an announcement in Ottawa Tuesday afternoon.

The winner was announced at a gala event by Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Francois Phillipe Champagne. Several city officials were on hand to accept the award, which was broadcast live on Youtube! and

The local entry was selected the winner from 10 entries in its population category of communities up to 500,000.

"Wow, this is awesome!" said mayor Cam Guthrie on the stage. "We're going to turn this vision into a reality. I can't imagine the legacy we're going to leave .... for the entire world when it comes to food."

Wellington County Warden Kelly Linton said the project "inspired our communities to be more creative and collaborative."

"This prize will have a huge, huge impact on our communities," Linton said.

There were 100 entries in the category and two winners chosen.

The Guelph-Wellington entry is a partnership with the University of Guelph, Conestoga College and dozens of other experts, entrepreneurs, innovators and community champions.

The Canada-wide challenge encouraged communities to improve quality of life through a smart cities approach which involves innovation, data and connected technology.

Guelph’s bid was titled Our Food Future and was aimed at creating a local circular food economy with three goals:

50 per cent increase in access to affordable, nutritious food;

50 new circular food business and collaboration opportunities; and

50 per cent increase in economic revenues by reducing or transforming food waste.

The winning bid identifies nine priorities the community will tackle to move the work forward: