The B.C. government has announced that it will be investing $2.85 million in new funding to support community-based programs and research to support people experiencing food insecurity.
The government says that Food Banks BC will receive $955,000 and $825,000 will be dedicated to providing rapid access to food for people affected by emergency events, such as wildfires and floods.
During 2021 and since the start of 2022, Food Banks BC has been working with diverse partners to get food to Lytton, Spuzzum, Boothroyd, Boston Bar, Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Kelowna and Princeton when regular access was disrupted. In several cases, food was flown into communities when road access was cut off. The government says that funds will be used to purchase and transport food and other supplies to food banks and community agencies throughout the province, including rural and remote communities.
“We are committed to supporting food-security initiatives in B.C.,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Communities with access to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food sources are more inclusive and better able to support the well-being of the individuals and families who live there.”
READ MORE: Canada’s premiers want to reform healthcare system, asks Ottawa to pick up the phone
Additionally, Food Banks BC’s Resilient North Research Project will receive $130,000 to develop a greater understanding of the unique food insecurity challenges northern communities face, especially rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
“Last year’s devastating fires and floods created a food security emergency in B.C. Communities that were completely cut off faced desperate and urgent needs. At the same time, supply-chain disruptions and price increases created heightened food insecurity for all communities in the province,” said Dan Huang-Taylor, executive director, Food Banks BC. “As we enter a new season of potential extreme weather events, we are deeply grateful for this continued support, which will enable us to get vital supplies to people facing urgent and critical need.”
United Way British Columbia will also receive $1.4 million, of which $1 million will support its regional community food hub operations and expand the number of food hubs from 16 to 20, notes the government. These food hubs provide community members access to nutritious food, food literacy and wellness programming, as well as wraparound mental-health support, employment services and child care.
In 2021, with previous funding received from the ministry, United Way British Columbia was able to support 140 organizations to serve 2.5 million meals to 154,334 people. With some of the new funding, the organization plans to put money toward developing an app that will make it easier for communities to request food as they need it. Funding will support the development of a centralized database that will connect organizations able to supply food to communities in need.
“Food Hubs are a critical lifeline for many communities across the province and, with rising inflation, the need for food security is becoming greater,” said Michael McKnight, CEO, United Way British Columbia. “The financial support provided by the Province will not only help expand food hubs across the province but will also expand the important services they currently provide – strengthening the vital connections that make communities healthy, caring and inclusive.”
The government adds that this new round of funding is intended to directly support the ministry’s mandate to increase food security for people in need through food banks and developing program partnerships with food producers, grocery stores and not-for-profit organizations to develop discounted food market, food recovery and food redistribution programs.
More information on B.C.’s poverty-reduction strategy can be found online here.
CHEK News
