To address the challenges stemming from food as commodity and food as charity, the Provincial Government is supporting the Food Producers Forum with its project “Co-operative Solutions for Rural Food Security: Building a Provincial Food Network.” The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced $50,000 through the Regional Development Fund towards the development of a Provincial Food Network.
Through the Provincial Food Network project, Food Producers Forum is working to build a network of sites across the province to create a more direct system of food production, distribution and education. Food Producers Forum will maximize and capitalize on the existing processes in place that have been allowing enterprises to produce their own food.
There are 13 sites across the province that have agreed to start the Provincial Food Network:
- The Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice – not-for-profit organization in St. John’s;
- Avalon Homesteading – family-operated retail and education site in Conception Bay South;
- Knotty Pine Farm and Apiary – family farm and education centre in Port Blandford;
- Burin Peninsula Community Garden Network – located in Marystown;
- King’s Point Community Garden – community garden project in King’s Point;
- Campbellton Berry Farm – commercial berry farm, retail and education site in Campbellton;
- Smith Family Community Farm – community farm in Raleigh;
- Gros Morne Farm and Market & Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital – food production farm in Norris Point;
- Western Environment Centre – community food and composting group in Corner Brook;
- Benoit First Nation – Indigenous Mi’kmaw community group in Bay St. George;
- Upper Humber Settlement – sustainable, non-industrial method gardening site in Cormack;
- Mary’s Harbour Community Garden – community garden project in Mary’s Harbour, Labrador; and
- NunatuKavut Community Council – local food production projects in Southern Labrador (Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Mary’s Harbour – two sites).
Food security is defined as physical and economic access to adequate amounts of nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate food to maintain a health and active life. Access to good food is a key social determinant of health, and increasing food security can improve the well-being of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Quotes
“Though this project, Food Producers Forum is supporting community-based food production projects across Newfoundland and Labrador to address issues that include rural economic development, food security and community health. These innovative ideas will help make healthier food more accessible for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
“Farmers and producers continue to contribute to food self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetable production with support from funding programs and access to affordable and productive farmland. That good work is enhanced by community-focused initiatives like the Community Garden Support Program, opportunities for hunters to donate wild game to food banks, and educational outreach programs that raise awareness of the importance of agriculture. The Provincial Food Network will be a welcome and vital part of this shared commitment to ensuring more fresh, healthy food is available in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“As we move toward food security, community health and economic resilience, we are lucky to have funding from four sources, and this final piece from IET will be critical to the work we are doing because 90 per cent of those funds will be disbursed directly to community sites In Newfoundland and Labrador, to help develop the missing infrastructure they need to support local, healthy food.”
Dan Rubin
Project Co-ordinator and Founding Chair, Food Producers Forum
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