On Thursday, the federal government highlighted an investment of up to $10.8 million through the Surplus Food Rescue Program to the Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN).
The Fisher River Cree Nation of Northern Manitoba will rescue up to 1.4 million pounds of freshwater fish caught from inland lakes of Canada. Working with the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, the surplus product will be distributed to more than 75 Indigenous communities throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the North.
“Fish and seafood are a valuable source of protein for many Canadian families," said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. "Through this initiative we are able to rescue a significant portion of this year’s harvest and ensure it gets onto the tables of those who need it most while improving food security in the North.”
The Surplus Food Rescue Program is a $50 million federal initiative designed to address urgent, high volume, highly perishable surplus products falling under horticulture, meat and fish and seafood. More than $15.5 million has been allocated for the fish and seafood industry.
These surpluses were created because the COVID-19 pandemic largely shutdown the restaurant and hospitality industry, leaving many producers without a key market for their food commodities. Ten per cent of the food purchased through the program have been designated for Northern populations.
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