Halifax, Nova Scotia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Today, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, visited Hope Blooms Garden and Greenhouse to highlight the $50 million Local Food Infrastructure Fund, designed to reduce food insecurity, support community-based organizations, and strengthen local food production through the recently launched Food Policy for Canada.
Over the next five years, the Local Food Infrastructure Fund will support community-led projects at urban gardens, community kitchens, food banks, farmers’ markets, and greenhouses. Starting August 15, 2019, eligible organizations will be invited to submit an application through the first intake period for non-repayable funding of up to $25,000.
The Minister also announced that applications are now being accepted until September 20, 2019, for membership in the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council, a central piece of the Food Policy. The Advisory Council will bring together the expertise and diversity of stakeholders and experts within the food system to address both the opportunities and challenges of today and the future.
The Food Policy for Canada is the product of consultation and collaboration with Canadians across the country. The Government of Canada heard from more than 45,000 Canadians, including food producers and processors, experts in environment, health and food security, Indigenous groups, non-government organizations, and community advocates.
The vision for the Food Policy for Canada developed through these consultations is: All people in Canada are able to access a sufficient amount of safe, nutritious and culturally diverse food. Canada’s food system is resilient and innovative, sustains our environment, and supports our economy.
To realize this vision, the Government of Canada is investing more than $134 million through Budget 2019, to support new initiatives in key action areas, including:
- a Buy Canadian Promotion Campaign that will aim to increase pride and consumer confidence in Canadian food;
- support for community-led projects like greenhouses, community freezers, and skills training that address food challenges and food insecurity in Northern and isolated communities;
- a challenge fund to support new and innovative approaches to reduce food waste in food processing, grocery retail, and food service;
- new funds to help the Canadian Food Inspection Agency crack down on food fraud – the mislabeling and misrepresentation of food products – to protect consumers from deception and companies from unfair competition; and
- taking the first steps to work alongside provinces, territories, and not-for-profit organizations towards the creation of a National School Food Program.
The Food Policy for Canada aligns with the objectives of initiatives across the Federal Government, such as the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Heathy Eating Strategy, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy, among others.
“Everyone at the table!”
Source : Government of Canada