HALIFAX: Access to nutritious food has never been more important. One way government is helping Nova Scotians is through the Community Food Literacy and Access Fund. With an investment of more than $134,000 this year, the fund will further help improve access to affordable and healthy food while building food literacy.
“Increasing food literacy fosters better food choices which contribute to the overall health and wellness of our communities,” said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Suzanne Lohnes-Croft. “We are proud to help community organizations in their efforts to increase food security across the province. It is essential for everyone to have good nutrition and healthy eating habits.”
So far this year the fund is supporting 39 programs, including Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre in Saint Margaret Village, Victoria County, Cape Breton, which is receiving $3,000 for its orchard expansion, and St. George’s YouthNet in Halifax, which is receiving $3,500 for its weekly food baskets.
Other community organizations will receive funding for programs focused on food access, meal planning, food education, budgeting skills, and community garden building and maintenance.
Quotes:
“Our mission at the Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre is to support the social and well-being needs of our residents. Now, more than ever, we have become more aware of our community’s food security needs. This grant will allow us to expand our existing fruit orchards and gardens to increase next year’s harvest and the ability to feed more people in our community.”
– Amy MacKinnon, centre coordinator, Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre
“Our organization provides community-based programming for local youth that focuses on recreation, social and cultural development. The COVID-19 pandemic hit many families particularly hard and we were forced to suspend programming, leaving our kids vulnerable to food insecurity. With the help of this grant, we can deliver more food boxes to our community.”
– Sarah Griffin, executive director, St. George’s YouthNet
Quick Facts:
— the Community Food Literacy and Access Fund helps improve access to affordable healthy food and build food literacy
— registered Nova Scotia-based non-profit societies, co-operatives and Mi’kmaw communities are eligible for funding
— the Community Food Literacy and Access Fund is one of the Communities, Culture and Heritage grant programs that help communities enhance assets such as facilities, public places and programs
— government has also supported better access to food through the Building Vibrant Communities grants, funding for the School Healthy Eating Program (which includes school breakfast programs) and additional investments in local food banks
Additional Resources:
More information about the Community Food Literacy and Access Fund and list of recipients: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future/community-food-access-and-literacy-fund
More information about other Communities, Culture and Heritage Grant Programs: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future
Nova Scotia’s Culture Action Plan, Creativity and Community: https://novascotia.ca/culture/Culture-Action-Plan–English.pdf
