Remote First Nations communities throughout British Columbia will receive $700,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation, through funding from the Provincial Health Services Authority, to grow community gardens - helping to provide fresh produce to those who would otherwise have limited access to these healthy foods.

The Food Systems in Remote First Nations project is a collaboration with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The project provides funding to help 15 gardens previously established through the Produce Availability in Remote Communities Initiative. The two-year project has successfully completed its first growing season. Participants will be able to enjoy produce from the gardens throughout the fall and winter, because the program also provides support for food preservation workshops.

This program will help to further integrate the gardens into communities by providing community engagement workshops and training. It will also provide food preservation training to ensure that healthy food is available year-round. It will also help some communities develop their gardens into small-scale agricultural businesses, helping to build the local economies. At the end of next year, communities will have the tools needed to continue the gardens on their own as part of a community agriculture food plan.

The 15 First Nations communities are located in remote areas of the province where access to fresh produce is often very limited. Having access to healthy, fresh vegetables and fruit is fundamental to preventing chronic illness and being able to live a healthy lifestyle.

The Food Systems in Remote First Nations project follows up on the successful Produce Availability in Remote Communities Initiative, which was a three-year program (from 2009 to 2012) to improve the availability of produce in 17 remote B.C. communities. The Produce Availability Initiative also was a collaboration with the Heart and Stroke Foundation where teams worked with each community to develop solutions uniquely tailored to meet their needs.

While this project is currently limited to the participating 15 First Nations communities, it will develop tools and a framework that can be used by other interested First Nations communities throughout the province.

Quotes:

Minister of Health Margaret MacDiarmid -

"Fruits and vegetables are a key component to a healthy diet, often these items can be difficult to find in remote communities in the province. With this funding, the Heart and Stroke Foundation will be able to help to build a base for local food sustainability and accessibility for these B.C. First Nations communities."

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Ida Chong -

"Many First Nations communities in B.C. are located far from urban centres, and the distance and terrain that must be crossed to ship produce to these areas can mean that fruits and vegetables are not available or are prohibitively expensive. By investing in local food production, this program makes healthy food accessible and provides skills needed to grow local economies."

Jeff Sommers, manager of research and health initiatives, Heart and Stroke Foundation -

"Through the Produce Availability Initiative, we were able to work with communities to establish local food gardens and the results had a direct impact on the participants and their communities. With the Food Systems in Remote First Nations project, we will ensure that these gardens continue to grow as part of a community food plan and thrive well into the future."

Learn More:

Learn more about the success of the Produce Availability Initiative at the Ministry of Health website under Healthy Eating /Food Security Programs and Initiatives: www.health.gov.bc.ca/healthyeating/foodsecurity.html

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

BACKGROUNDER

First Nations Community Gardens - Participating Communities

The communities participating in this program are all remote, and require several hours of travel time - sometimes by road, but also by boat. Participating communities include:

• Ahousaht First Nation
• Ehattesaht First Nation
• Hesquiaht First Nation
• Hulhetun Health Society (Penelakut)
• Iskut Valley Health Services
• Gitxaala Nation
• Kwadacha Natural Resources Agency Ltd
• Laxgaltsa'ap Village Government
• Lhoosk'uz Dené Nation
• Namgis First Nation
• Gitlaxt'aamiks Village Government (New Aiyansh)
• Tahltan Health and Social Services Society
• Tla-o-qui-aht Band Council - Opitsaht
• Tsay Keh Dene First Nation
• Xa'xtsa First Nation

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)