The County Foundation’s Investment in Local Food Systems:
Improving Access to Food Across Prince Edward County
The County Foundation’s Vital Impact Fund aims to direct funding toward initiatives that address the most pressing challenges and opportunities identified through Vital Signs data and our community knowledge. Now in its third year, Vital Impact Fund will concenatrate its efforts on a defined focus area to deepen impact and respond to community needs.
Food Security is one of the 9 Vital Signs priorities. Currently, one in four households in Hastings-Prince Edward is experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is highly correlated with financial challenges but may also be caused by physical or logistical challenges in accessing or cooking nutritious food.
Evidence of growing demand is already evident, with the Picton United Church Food Bank reporting a 40% increase in visits compared to last year, with children making up 33% of those being served.
For 2026, the Vital Impact Fund will be accepting applications focused on Food Security, with the aim of supporting the processes, efficiencies, and infrastructure of our local organizations working to address food insecurity.
$180,000 will be invested through the Vital Impact Fund toward improving access to food and addressing food insecurity throughout Prince Edward County.
By building organizational capacity and improving coordination across the sector, The County Foundation aims to create more sustainable solutions to increase access to food.
By investing in the organizations and networks that provide food access and support, the Vital Impact Fund seeks to strengthen the local food system, improve access to nutritious food, and ultimately contribute to a healthier, more resilient Prince Edward County.
While the Vital Impact Fund focuses on one priority area for this year, our other grants will continue to support a wide range of sectors so we can continue meeting the diverse needs of our community. Vital Impact Fund is approximately 8.4% of our total granting based on 2025.
Intersections with Other Community Needs
How was the focus area determined for 2026?
More Information
Support the Vital Impact Fund
Together we can create strong food systems in Prince Edward County to help people access food with dignity.
The Vital Impact Fund will use Vital Signs data to address community needs in Prince Edward County and direct grants where they will have the greatest impact. The needs of the community will continue to evolve and change, and the Vital Impact Fund will be responsive and shift priorities as needed. Therefore, each year of the Vital Impact Fund could look different in order to adapt and support the needs of the County and its residents.
