Alexia Kagambega —> LinkedIn
Dana Alrumaihi —> LinkedIn
Kripa Babbar —> LinkedIn
Olebogeng Baloyi —> LinkedIn
NB: Video visuals were created with the assistance of AI tools and Canva. However, script, concept, and narrative were created by the team.
St. John’s faces a structurally fragile food system due to its heavy reliance on imports, with approximately 70% of fresh food sourced externally. Its short growing season and harsh climate limit local production, leaving the city highly vulnerable to supply disruptions and increasing costs. As a result, food prices are both high and unstable, contributing to widespread food insecurity at both city level and the household level. More than 30% of households in Newfoundland and Labrador are experiencing food insecurity, with the burden falling disproportionately on low-income households, seniors, students, and youth. Also, youth unemployment remains high at between 10% and 12%, limiting economic mobility and reducing opportunities for stable local jobs. At the same time, over 30% of the land in St. John’s remains vacant or underused, including municipal land. However, local food production remains underdeveloped due to high operating costs and economic constraints. This creates a structural gap: The city has land, labour, and demand for affordable food, but lacks a cost-efficient, climate-resilient system to produce locally.
Our solution proposes a cost-efficient, winter-resilient local food system that converts underused municipal land into modular production hubs built from repurposed shipping containers. These container-based micro systems will enable year-round production despite harsh climate conditions, use insulation as an energy source for heating, natural light optimisation, and controlled environments. The model is technically feasible, as it builds on proven controlled environment agriculture systems, and financially viable due to low-cost infrastructure and scalable deployment. Initial pilot units can be implemented at relatively low capital cost, with the potential to reach break-even within a few years. Socially, the system improves food affordability and access while creating local employment opportunities, particularly for youth. Environmentally, it reduces reliance on long-distance imports and integrates circular energy systems such as compost heat recovery and biodiesel derived from local organic waste, providing a low-carbon heating source during winter peaks or storm disruptions.
This strategy complements Newfoundland’s and Labrador’s predominantly hydroelectric grid and advances SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Our proposal is based on validated trends in controlled environment agriculture and local data, but several assumptions remain. We assume that underused municipal land can be accessed and is suitable for production, though zoning, infrastructure, and land quality may vary. We also assume that container-based systems can significantly reduce energy costs compared to traditional greenhouses, but actual operating costs will depend on design efficiency and seasonal conditions. Our circular energy model includes waste cooking oil, with theoretical estimates of up to 1.7 million litres annually in the region. However, real collection rates will be lower, meaning this can support pilot-scale operations but not full system demand. We also assume stakeholder alignment, including municipal support and community adoption. To address these uncertainties, we propose a phased pilot approach to test cost, energy use, production output, and stakeholder engagement before scaling.