Government

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Ministry of Health

Food Security

Food security is defined as the ability of all people at all times to have access to sufficient nutritious, safe, personally acceptable, culturally appropriate foods that are produced, procured and distributed in ways that are sustainable, environmentally sound and socially just. Food security is a fundamental determinant of health and a prerequisite for healthy eating.

Resources

BC Food Security Gateway
  • BC Food Security Gateway is a one-stop web resource for food security practitioners and others in British Columbia who want to make "healthy eating the easy choice" and build food-secure communities.
  • The Cost of Eating in BC report is prepared by the Dietitians of Canada, British Columbia Region, and the Community Nutritionists Council of British Columbia. This series of reports provides analysis of the cost of purchasing a healthy diet.

Initiatives

  • Produce Availability in Remote Communities Initiative

    The Produce Availability in Remote Communities Initiative was a three-year undertaking that concluded in 2012. It was led by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Its goal was to improve the year-round availability and quality of fruits and vegetables, including B.C. produce when available, in remote communities. This initiative built community capacity and the capability to create a sustainable supply of produce in 24 remote communities. Community gardens were started or enhanced in 17 First Nations communities, and projects to increase the availability of produce were established in Bella Coola, Port Clements/Masset, Tahsis, Zeballos, and Telegraph Creek/Dease Lake. The initiative’s final report will include digital stories and resources and will be available from this website in fall 2012.

  • Community Food Action Initiative (CFAI)

    The Community Food Action initiative is a health promotion initiative aimed at increasing food security for all British Columbians, particularly those living with limited incomes. It is a collaborative effort of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), five regional health authorities and the Ministry of Health.

    The CFAI was the first provincial initiative in Canada to recognize and financially support community-led solutions to increase food security. These solutions include community gardens, farmers’ markets, community planning, support for local food production, healthy food for public buildings, creation of community capacity, community food assessments, and development of local food charters and policies. More information is available on the PHSA Food Security website.

  • Food Skills for Families
    This program helps families learn to select and to prepare healthy food. It is delivered in partnership with the Canadian Diabetes Association.