Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food participated in a video call Thursday with representatives from Moisson Haut-Saint-François, Cuisines Collectives du Haut-Saint-François and Maison des jeunes de Coaticook, to announce an investment of up to $62,500 to the three organizations under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund’s first application period.
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund, a five-year, $50-million program under the Food Policy for Canada, is aimed at community-based, not-for-profit organizations. The mission of the program is to reduce food insecurity by establishing and/or strengthening local food systems in the medium to longer term. The first phase of the program was launched mid-summer of 2019 and closed in November 2019, with 362 projects funded up to $25,000 for a total of $6.6 million.
COVID-19 has intensified the food needs of the most vulnerable people but, above all, it is having a major impact on the operation of organizations working to improve food security. In April, the Government also launched a separate $100 million emergency fund under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund to support national, regional, and local organizations across Canada that are able to reach people and communities experiencing food insecurity and who have been impacted by COVID-19. This fund supports the purchase and distribution of food on an emergency basis across the country.
Moisson Haut-Saint-François will receive $25,000 towards the purchase of a new refrigeration truck and installation of new shelving units. The refrigeration truck will extend the shelf-life of food and allow the organization to collect food from grocery stores. The shelving units will be used to store preserved goods such as jams and sauces prepared during workshops run by the food bank. This project will result in reduced waste and provide food to approximately 100 to 150 more people per month, while providing service to up to three additional municipalities.
Funding in support of food security in the Townships
Record Staff
