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The Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy: identifying indicators of food access and food literacy for early monitoring of the food environment

Equity Focus

This study describes the process of identifying indicators for 11 OFNS (Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy) action areas. OFNS targets improving the health of Ontario residents through actions that promote healthy food systems and environments.

Case Summary

This project describes the process of identifying indicators for 11 action areas of the Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy in two strategic directions: Healthy Food Access, and Food Literacy and Skills. The Indicators Advisory Group of the Ontario Food and Nutrition Strategy used a five-step process to select indicators: (1) potential indicators from national and provincial data sources were identified; (2) indicators were organized by strategic direction, action area and data type; (3) selection criteria were identified, pilot tested and finalized; (4) final criteria were applied to refine the indicator list; and (5) indicators were prioritized after reapplication of selection criteria. Sixty-nine potential indicators were initially identified; however, many were individual-level rather than system-level measures. After final application of the selection criteria, one individual-level indicator and six system-level indicators were prioritized in five action areas; for six of the action areas, no indicators were available.

Lessons Learned

• Data limitations suggest that available data may not measure importantaspects of the food environment, highlighting the need for action and resources to improve system-level indicators and support monitoring of the food environment and health in Ontario and across Canada.

LINK TO CASE STUDY