Food Access…Exploring Gaps

L2T Updates, News
This is not news… we know that sufficient, safe and nutritious food is critical to the health and well-being of us all. Unfortunately, half a million British Columbians can't afford a basic healthy diet. This was outlined in the Food Costing in BC report (2017) and powerful infographic. Within the North Okanagan, home to around 85,000 residents, we know that 15 percent of people in our communities are low income, meaning their after-tax income is $22,460 or less. In the Interior Health region 14 percent of households’ experience food insecurity. Yet, low income is not the only factor affecting access to healthy local food in our region. It's evident that even though we live in a region of diverse and productive foodlands, food access is impacted by a wide range…
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Researchers Seek Input to Strengthen Farm to Restaurant Connections

News, Regional News
Researchers from the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, Kwantlen Polytechnic University are seeking public participation to help them understand the demand for local food in Okanagan restaurants. Through to the end of October, Okanagan residents are being asked to complete a 10-minute online survey about their preferences for local food in restaurants. The survey hopes to obtain information about the demand for local foods in restaurant meals, to strengthen the farm to restaurant supply chain and support the local food/farming sectors in the region. Participants who complete the survey will be entered to win one of five $100 gift cards to local restaurants. Those wishing to access the survey can do so at https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/be_local_eat_local until Midnight on October 31st and are encouraged to share the survey with their networks. Survey…
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Salmon Arm Economic Development Society Wants To Hear From You!

News, Regional News
Salmon Arm Economic Development Society is assessing the feasibility of increasing agriculture processing and innovation in the Shuswap region by developing a Regional Food Hub. The Food Hub Feasibility Study which is currently underway, includes assessing the needs of local food producers and processors across all sub-sectors of agriculture in the areas of research, processing, food safety, training and education, storage, business development support programs, community kitchens and related required venues and equipment. If you are a food producer or processor, or a prospective food producer or processor, we would be grateful if you would take some time to share your knowledge and experience to help shape the outcome of this study. Please visit the survey link HERE.
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Community Futures North Okanagan supports food systems network

News, Regional News
How can we develop a local food system that is prosperous, environmentally sustainable and accessible? Even more, how can we go from talking about doing this, to making it happen? These are just some of the questions that have driven Land to Table, a network of partners committed to building a thriving local food network for the North Okanagan.  “Our idea is that if we have a well-connected and coordinated network inspired by a common vision and goals, together we can develop a food system that benefits so many in our region in so many ways,” says Liz Blakeway, coordinator, Land to Table.  Originally known as North Okanagan Food Systems Initiative (NOFSI), the network grew from handful of women rooted in the agricultural community who were committed to sustainable development…
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