Communities across Canada look for simple ways to support healthy eating and everyday physical activity. People spend a lot of time in public spaces, and small changes in these environments often shape their daily choices. For many families, healthy eating starts here, in places where people shop, play, learn, and gather. We bring together information about early healthy-living efforts in B.C. and the programs that now help communities strengthen wellness across the country.
We do not provide any services and we are not connected to the organisations mentioned here. Our goal is to give readers clear and useful information so they can better understand the options available today. This article is informational only and does not endorse any program or organisation.
Why Community Wellness Programs Still Matter
Healthy habits grow through daily routines. A person may choose what to eat based on what they find in a vending machine at a skating rink, and this also shows why communities explore the benefits of vending machines in schools as part of broader nutrition conversations. A parent may join a simple, low-cost walking group because their local centre runs it. Small steps like these help people stay healthy and active.
Facilities need clear tools, simple guidance, and training to shape these environments. Earlier initiatives helped set this foundation. Today’s programs build on those ideas and make them easier to apply on a community level.
Quick Overview of Canada’s Key Healthy-Living Programs
Communities often rely on different tools and services to support healthier eating and physical activity. The programs below offer a mix of grants, hands-on learning, research-based guidance, and direct support. This quick table gives a simple snapshot of what each program provides, who it serves, and why it matters.
Summary Table of Reviewed Programs
Program / Service | What It Offers | Who It Helps | Key Numbers & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Active Communities Grant Program (BCAHL) | Grants for physical-activity projects and local initiatives | Municipalities, Indigenous communities, equity-deserving groups | $1.5M in 2023; 737 opportunities created since 2017; 41,238+ participants |
Food Skills for Families (BCCDC) | Hands-on cooking and nutrition sessions | Low-income households, newcomers, Punjabi families, Indigenous groups, active seniors | 6 sessions (18 hours); 10-15 participants per group; 1,000+ adults reached yearly |
HealthLink BC (8-1-1) | Free 24/7 access to dietitians, nurses, and exercise professionals | All B.C. residents, including deaf/hard of hearing via 7-1-1 | Province-wide service; thousands of calls monthly; email follow-ups available |
ParticipACTION (National) | National challenges, activity tracking, research report cards | Communities, schools, workplaces, families, older adults | 400+ communities; hundreds of thousands of participants; millions reached yearly |
YMCA Community Health Programs | Fitness, chronic disease support, youth programs, settlement services | Over 2M people yearly through 50+ local YMCAs | Healthy Heart, Beyond the Bell, newcomer programs; thousands served per region |
A Look Back: BC’s Early Initiative on Healthy Food and Active Living
Many recreation centres in B.C. once took part in a province-supported project that aimed to improve food and beverage choices in public facilities. The initiative encouraged cooperation between facility managers and suppliers, making healthier products easier to stock and promote. Earlier evaluations also looked at patterns related to sales in recreation facilities and local government buildings, helping communities understand which choices people reached for most. These early resources followed a step by step approach, helping staff review menus, improve vending services, and update concessions.
During its most active years, dozens of municipalities and First Nations used the planning tools, templates, and action guides. More than one hundred facilities – from arenas to fitness centres – tested healthier options and shared results. Some municipalities even aligned their work with local school efforts, recognizing links to broader programs like a school meal program or regional efforts such as the school breakfast program Victoria families rely on.
The project aimed to help communities stay active while improving access to nutritious foods. It no longer runs as a stand-alone effort, but many templates remain online and still assist staff today.
Today’s Active Programs That Continue Its Mission
Several programs across Canada now support community food environments and physical activity in practical and accessible ways. These programs offer grants, training, workshops, and direct support for both professionals and the public. Below are five active initiatives with useful data and clear roles.
1. Active Communities Grant Program (BC Alliance for Healthy Living)
The Active Communities Grant Program supports local governments and Indigenous communities across British Columbia by helping them create inclusive and affordable physical activity opportunities. The Ministry of Health renewed the program in 2023 with $1.5 million in funding, building on an earlier 2017 initiative that created 737 physical activity opportunities and reached over 41,238 participants.
Communities improved 154 programs, 61 facilities, and 87 events, adding equipment in central spaces and adapting built environments to support everyday movement. The renewed funding strongly supports equity-deserving groups, including newcomers, low-income families, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI2S communities.
Examples of what communities created through the program:
- Updated or replaced outdated gym and fitness equipment
- Built or expanded outdoor fitness circuits and walking loops
- Improved accessibility in recreation facilities
- Created culturally grounded activity programs
- Supported youth and family activity sessions in local spaces
- Added new adaptive or disability-inclusive movement programs
These grants help communities test practical ideas without large budgets.
2. Food Skills for Families (BC Centre for Disease Control)
This hands-on program helps adults cook healthy meals, shop on a budget, and feel confident in the kitchen. Each intake runs six three-hour sessions (18 hours total) with 10-15 participants, and programs reach 1,000+ adults per year across B.C.
Participants prepare 10-20 recipes, compare prices, read labels, plan low-cost meals, and cook dishes from global cuisines. Many households use what they learn to build a personal eat for health plan. Some facilitators also share simple ideas inspired by community-friendly resources like eat well with Linda, which keeps the sessions accessible.
Key features of the program:
- Six sessions, three hours each (total of 18 instructional hours)
- Designed for adults 19+; youth 13-18 may join with a parent or guardian
- Typical group size: 10-15 participants per program
- Five target groups: low-income, newcomers, Punjabi, Indigenous, and active seniors
- Led by certified community facilitators trained through BCCDC
- Includes label reading, cost comparison, and a guided grocery tour
- Uses 10-20 global recipes adapted for low-cost ingredients
- Supported by facilitator manuals and participant handbooks tailored to each group
People walk away with skills they can use immediately at home.
3. HealthLink BC Nutrition and Physical Activity Services (8-1-1)
HealthLink BC offers free, province-wide access to registered nurses, dietitians, and exercise professionals 24/7. Many callers receive emailed resources and practical next steps. Residents often ask about nutrition comparisons, ingredient lists, or even store availability for common products, such as where to buy Atkins frozen meals Canada carries. The service also supports deaf and hard-of-hearing residents through 7-1-1, giving more people equal access to trusted information. Emergency cases always go to 9-1-1, not 8-1-1.
Key features of the service:
- Free support available 24/7 across British Columbia
- Access to registered nurses, registered dietitians, and qualified exercise professionals
- Guidance on nutrition, physical activity, chronic conditions, and community health services
- Email follow-up with reliable health resources
- Accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents through 7-1-1
- Clear distinction between non-emergency support (8-1-1) and urgent emergencies (9-1-1)
This service removes barriers and gives quick access to reliable advice.
4. ParticipACTION Community Challenge (Canada-wide)
ParticipACTION has encouraged movement across Canada since 1971 and reaches millions of Canadians each year. More than 400 communities join the annual Community Challenge, logging activity minutes through local events and the app.
ParticipACTION also publishes research report cards that help families, educators, and leaders address gaps in movement patterns. Some public education campaigns also touch on trends in the healthy food industry, since nutrition and physical activity often connect.
Key programs and initiatives:
- Community Challenge: a Canada-wide event that gets communities moving together
- Children and Youth Report Card: yearly data on activity levels and trends
- Adult Report Card: research on movement patterns among adults in Canada
- Advocacy initiatives: support for policies that promote physical activity
- Mental Health resources: tools that connect movement with emotional well-being
- Sneak It In: tips for adding short activity bursts into busy days
- Make Room to Move: guidance for reducing sitting time in homes and workplaces
This program helps communities bring people together through activity.
5. YMCA Healthy Communities Programs (National)
More than 50 YMCA associations deliver health and wellness programs across Canada, reaching over 2 million people annually. Programs focus on prevention, health equity, chronic disease support, seniors’ mobility, youth development, and mental wellness. In urban areas, YMCAs sometimes work with community housing providers such as Doug Saunders Apartments to deliver programs directly to residents. Some health programs serve hundreds to thousands of participants, including cardiac rehabilitation, youth programs, newcomer services, and employment support.
Examples of community health programs offered by local YMCAs:
- Healthy Heart Program: community-based cardiac rehabilitation and prevention, often supporting hundreds of participants per year
- Beyond the Bell: after-school program for vulnerable children, active in multiple cities and serving thousands of students annually
- Chronic disease management classes: including mobility, strength, and recovery programs
- Newcomer support and settlement services: used by tens of thousands of new Canadians each year
- Youth leadership, mental health, and employment programs: tailored to local community needs
- Low-cost or subsidized access to fitness and wellness programs: offered through financial assistance programs in most local YMCAs
These programs help communities provide stable and accessible wellness options.
What These Programs Have in Common
- Clear tools and step-by-step guidance
- Support for facility staff, leaders, and local organizers
- A focus on healthier food choices and simple activity options
- Evidence-based resources
- Practical training for communities
- Long-term partnerships across municipalities and health organizations
Each one continues the mission that earlier BC initiatives started: make healthier choices easier in everyday settings.
Healthy Meetings and Events: A Practical Addition for Communities
Many workplaces and community groups also improve well-being by changing how they plan meetings and events. The Eat Smart Meet Smart guide, created by the Western and Northern Canadian Collaborative for Healthy Living, shows how small choices during meetings can shape people’s energy, focus, and overall health. The guide explains that Canadians spend long hours in meetings, often with long sitting periods and limited food choices.
Healthy meetings can include simple steps such as offering vegetables and fruit, serving lower-fat dairy, choosing whole grains, limiting added sugar and salt, and providing smaller portions to help people stay alert. The document also highlights the value of short movement breaks during long sessions, suggesting walking, stretching, and light activity to keep people engaged. These ideas give facilities and local groups another practical tool to support healthier environments beyond formal programs.