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Province pledges $1.3 million for Northern Healthy Foods Initiative

Manitoba’s provincial government is committing $1.3 million to support northern food security projects, Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke announced May 5.
Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke
Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke

Manitoba’s provincial government is committing $1.3 million to support northern food security projects, Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke announced May 5.

The Northern Healthy Foods Initiative is facilitated by Manitoba Indigenous and Northern Relations and projects and programming are delivered by organizations including the Bayline Regional Roundtable, the Four Arrows Regional Health Authority, Frontier School Division, the Northern Association of Community Councils and Food Matters Manitoba. There are also partnerships with the Northern Manitoba Food, Culture and Community Collaborative and the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba.

“Our government is committed to strengthening food security in Northern Manitoba to help build and sustain healthier communities,” said Clarke in a news release. “Budget 2021 committed $1.3 million for Manitoba’s Northern Healthy Foods Initiative, which supports the development of culturally relevant and healthy food systems for Indigenous peoples and their communities.”

Communities that benefit from the initiative include First Nations, Northern Affairs Communities and Northern Manitoba Municipalities.

“Food Matters Manitoba is able partner with 13 communities to provide consistent logistics and facilitation support to community-led food security projects,” said Food Matters Manitoba executive director Rob Moquin. “Because of the core funding NHFI provides, Food Matters has been able to partner with other funders to increase resources and programs for community partners, and this past year community leaders and knowledge keepers have reached 1,510 individuals. This dedicated program is essential in demonstrating the province of Manitoba’s commitment to the long-term food security and sovereignty of northern and Indigenous communities.” 

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