Program

Local Food Economy Regenerator

The Local Food Economy Regenerator brings together community groups and suppliers to create a sustainable, replicable bioregional model that drives food systems change through demand.

Pilot Vision

The Regenerator is a test-bed for innovation in the Greater Tkaronto Bioregion (GTB). It pilots and scales programs that connect eaters to local food economies, build demand for regeneratively grown foods, and strengthens relationships that make local food systems thrive. 

Rooted at the Centre for Social Innovation, a hub for collaboration and social impact in Toronto, the Local Food Regenerator engages community members directly in their local food economy – through partnerships with local food producers, suppliers, restaurants or programs like Flavour Harvest or Salad Club. Participants experience the Regenerator through a suite of seasonal events and offerings that are joyful, taste-forward, and designed to deepen connection to their local food systems.

Working with established community networks and local food actors, the Regenerator tests engagement strategies, refines programming, and shares “what works” in growing and mobilizing demand, creating a foundation that will continue to expand across the Greater Tkaronto Bioregion.

About the GTB

The Greater Tkaronto Bioregion (GTB) is 3 million hectares with 10 million people on the north shore of Lake Ontario, also touching Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Defining features include the Niagara Escarpment, Oak Ridges Moraine, the world's largest Greenbelt, and some of the best agricultural land in the province of Ontario. It was originally defined by The Honourable David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto and federal cabinet minister, with the current GTB Core Team of the Legacy Project following in his legacy.

This region is rich in agricultural potential, home to a wealth of food growers and producers whose work can support a thriving local food economy. The Regenerator is dedicated to strengthening these communities and celebrating the seasons, local foods, and growing methods that nurture soil, biodiversity, and the land.

We are a proud collaborator in the Regenerator. As a pioneer in social innovation, we see its potential to bring about a better food system for all.

Tonya Surman, CEO, CSI

Get involved

Growers and Food Producers

Connect with local markets, share their expertise and collaborate on programs that highlight regeneratively grown foods

Retailers and Restaurateurs

Source local ingredients, showcase seasonal offerings, and engage customers in the benefits of a local food economy.

Workplaces or Community Organizations

Partner on events, gain access to local food suppliers, and collaborate on programming that engages their audiences with seasonal, regeneratively grown foods.

Community Members

Join events, taste-forward programs, and initiatives like Flavour Harvest and Salad Club, experiencing and supporting local food systems firsthand.

Sign Up for Inside 
the Ecosystem

Get early access to upcoming Regenerator events, news, and behind-the-scenes updates as they happen.
Updates & Perspectives

Explore related stories and insights

Ideas

Local Food Economies: Building Resilience, Wealth, and Well-being at Home

When we talk about transforming our food system, the focus often lands on global supply chains and multinational players. But real change, change that strengthens communities, restores ecosystems, and supports health, starts closer to home.

Ideas

Do we really need "conventional" food to feed the world?

Regenerative supply chains aren't simply a niche alternative, they're already operating at scale. Drawing on research and real-world examples, we examine how networked, locally rooted food systems can build resilience, strengthen regional economies, and regenerate the ecosystems they depend on.

Ideas

What do we mean when we refer to regeneration?

From rethinking the water cycle to reframing food as part of a broader ecological and social system, this piece invites a deeper look at how our food choices and partnerships can actively renew, rather than deplete. It is a call to move beyond reducing harm and toward cultivating systems that are designed for mutual thriving.

READ more

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