Healthy food is hard to come by in northern Manitoba. Food shipped from the south is prohibitively expensive and is often stale, and the climate and soil in the region don’t support much traditional outdoor farming.

This issue disproportionately impacts northern Indigenous communities, many of which have moved away from traditional food practices, creating a supply problem with far-reaching health consequences.

The 10-year First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study, funded by Health Canada and published in 2018, found that one in four First Nations people in Manitoba is affected by diabetes. Those living in Manitoba’s vast but sparsely populated portion of the Boreal Shield Ecozone experience poorer health outcomes compared to their southern neighbours.

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The Problem

For decades, food insecurity has plagued Manitoba’s isolated northern communities. In these areas, high transportation costs make healthy food harder to find and more expensive for individuals and families.

Now, rising tensions – including U.S. threats to place tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports – are exposing vulnerabilities in Canada’s food supply chains. If trade is disrupted, it could become even more difficult to get affordable produce into remote areas.

“Food security is increasingly tied to global trade dynamics,” says Dr. Miyoung Suh, a professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba (UM). “When access to affordable, high-quality foods is restricted, we see rising rates of diabetes and obesity, especially in northern Indigenous communities.

The Solution

In response, a team from UM is working in Northern Manitoba with Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) to address health challenges and support local food sovereignty.

Together, they identified a local solution: Smart Vertical Farming (SMART-VF). This innovative, space-efficient system uses computer-monitored lighting and climate control to grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round. By producing food directly in the community, SMART-VF reduces reliance on costly imports and ensures a steady supply of fresh food.

Suh says the concept is showing promise.

Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Smart Vertical Farming

“The ability to grow food locally – regardless of what’s happening south of the border – offers communities a measure of sovereignty and stability,” Suh says. “We’re not just trying to improve fresh vegetables access; we’re trying to change the trajectory of chronic health conditions to help combat disease.

Initial research with these vegetables has already shown encouraging results in reducing blood pressure and obesity, with further data on diabetes expected by the end of 2025.

The Impact

By supporting communities to produce their own food, this research reduces dependency on imports and creates year-round access to fresh, nutritious food.

“For generations, colonialism has disrupted our connection to the land and traditional food systems. SMART-VF gives us the tools to grow food on our terms, provide food security and build a healthier future within our community”, explains Stephanie Cook, Smart Farm Manager at the Opaskwayak Health Authority.

This local supply helps lower costs and barriers, while strengthening local economic development.

“The produce will be cheaper, making it more affordable. It will also be more accessible, making it easier for people to buy vegetables and incorporate them into their everyday diet,” Suh says. “Additionally, the facility will provide employment opportunities in crop management and tech-driven agriculture.”

For nearly 150 years, the University of Manitoba has transformed lives through groundbreaking research and homegrown innovation. We push the boundaries of knowledge and do the hard work here in Manitoba to move our community and the world forward. Our researchers tackle society’s most pressing challenges, from healthcare and sustainability to Arctic accessibility and security, delivering solutions that make a real impact. With a spirit of determination and discovery, we are shaping a better future for our province and beyond.

“There’s a lot of stigma that we were met with,” said Stephanie R. Cook, Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) smart farm operations manager. “People were like, ‘Oh … it’s artificial, it’s fake food.’ “

Cook understands this hesitancy, because in her first few months on the job, she was also too scared to eat the produce. Coming from a traditional background, she says she was taught that food comes from the earth, not from a lab.

To read the full story, please visit CBC News.

“We’re focused on leafy greens right now at the U of M, but that’s just because we’re just getting the first farm started,” Semenchuk said. “It’s easier to validate that your systems are working correctly with leafy greens because they have a faster growth rate.”

The university is also pursuing a second hydroponic system that will feature larger plants like tomatoes and peppers. Eventually, they hope to expand to other crops and berries.

To read the full story on vertical farming, please visit the Western Producer.