Province Helps Address Food Insecurity

More communities in Nova Scotia will have reliable access to healthy food with the creation of three new collaborative food networks. Scott Armstrong, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, made the announcement Wednesday, September 10, at a community event in Truro.

“Everyone deserves to have access to healthy, affordable food – no matter where they live. With these new collaborative food networks, more Nova Scotians will benefit from community-led programs like gardens, meal baskets and food-sharing opportunities,” said Minister Armstrong. “Government is proud to support this work, but the real impact comes from the people on the ground – the volunteers, partners and communities who come together to help improve food insecurity in their communities.”

Collaborative food networks bring together local organizations, partners and suppliers to address food insecurity in ways that reflect the unique needs and strengths of each community.

The three new food networks are:

• Cobequid Food Security Network, Lower Sackville
• Musquodoboit Area Collaborative Food Network
• Island Food Network, Victoria County, Cape Breton.
• Each received a $200,000 one-time grant from the Province to support community programming, operations and start-up costs.

These new community grants are part of $2 million in funding to support 10 collaborative food networks across the province, including the Colchester Food Network, which has been serving communities in Colchester County for 40 years.