BC NDP MLA Nathan Cullen says funding will support food security in Stikine

KISPIOX – BC NDP MLA Nathan Cullen says that grant funding for local food access initiatives led by local organizations will support food security for people in Stikine.

“The people that live here and help support their neighbours, families and friends know the needs of our community best,” said Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine. “Here in the North, we face extra challenges to food security, and funding for these innovative local projects means more people will have access to nutritious, affordable foods.”

Ten projects in the region received funding, including:

• Kispiox Band Council, $25,000, for a project to convert under-utilized land into a community garden.
• Tahltan Band Council, $25,000, to create youth jobs and elder honorariums to focus on food processing, education, knowledge transfer and food distribution to elders.
• Glenn Vowell Indian Band, $18, 000, to support the enhancement of their current garden and food production.

A full list of recipients follows this release in a backgrounder.

Thirty-six organizations in Northern B.C. are receiving Northern Resilience grants from Food Banks BC, in partnership with the Public Health Association of BC. This funding is part of the $200 million announced in March 2023 to strengthen food supply chains, increase the availability of fresh food, and encourage food production in remote areas.

Factors like global inflation and climate emergencies, such as fires and floods, have contributed to growing food insecurity in rural and remote communities. Provincial funding continues to address the diverse challenges of food producers, processors, suppliers, retailers and consumers, strengthening food security for everyone.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023SDPR0061-001580