food security

At Centennial Place in Mission, clubhouse members and staff prepare a hot lunch for members. (Communitas photo: Krystina Hetherington)

Communitas Supportive Care in Abbotsford responds to food insecurity

Programs offer creative solutions for people struggling with rising costs

 

Salmon Arm’s Nan Gray sits with some of her preserves, ‘yellow’ cans, and bags of frozen foods, which have been staples of her frugal diet for years. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Stone soup’: B.C. woman reflects on stretching food dollars amid high inflation

Salmon Arm woman learned many ways to ensure access to enough food

 

Eggs are sorted at an egg farm in West Lincoln, Ont., on Monday, March 7, 2016. Canada’s supply managed egg industry is quietly emerging as a boon for Canadian consumers as other countries grapple with massive egg shortages, rationing and spiking prices. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

‘Made-in-Canada system’ keeps egg supply stable. But is it also keeping prices high?

Egg prices climbed 16.5 per cent from December 2021 to 2022

 

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis was appointed BC’s new minister of agriculture and food after Premier David Eby’s cabinet shuffle on Dec. 7, 2022. The minister’s new mandate has a focus on disaster preparedness, food security, Agritech innovation and strengthening Indigenous participation in the agriculture sector. /Submitted Photo

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis takes on new mandate as agriculture minister

BC’s new agriculture and food minister is tasked with bolstering food security and farming stability

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis was appointed BC’s new minister of agriculture and food after Premier David Eby’s cabinet shuffle on Dec. 7, 2022. The minister’s new mandate has a focus on disaster preparedness, food security, Agritech innovation and strengthening Indigenous participation in the agriculture sector. /Submitted Photo
Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Fight to curb food waste increasingly turns to science

ReFed: 500,000 pounds of food could be diverted from landfills annually with better packaging

Apples speed along as they’re sorted for size and quality at the BelleHarvest packing and storage facility, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Belding, Mich. This process happens repeatedly throughout the year as apples are taken out of special storage rooms that help them stay fresher. They are then sent to grocery stores. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Volunteers Desiree Klynsoon, Kevin Bentster, and Kaeli McIntyre around the Little Food Bank in the Park at Yarrow Pioneer Park. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

Little Food Bank in the Park is feeding the hungry in Yarrow

Much-needed project run by volunteers relies on donations from neighbours to keep the shelves full

Volunteers Desiree Klynsoon, Kevin Bentster, and Kaeli McIntyre around the Little Food Bank in the Park at Yarrow Pioneer Park. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)
In 2022, the minimum living wage in Metro Vancouver increased to $24.08 per hour, the highest it’s been since first calculated in 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

New report estimates new living wage for Lower Mainland – and its higher than ever before

Metro Vancouver sees its highest living wage ever while Victoria has highest in the province

In 2022, the minimum living wage in Metro Vancouver increased to $24.08 per hour, the highest it’s been since first calculated in 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
A red pepper grows on a vine in a greenhouse in Delta, B.C., Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. With rising food and energy costs and more frequent extreme weather, the indoor agriculture industry has the potential to feed Canadians more reliably and maybe more sustainably, using greenhouses, vertical farms and hydroponic technology. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A red pepper grows on a vine in a greenhouse in Delta, B.C., Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. With rising food and energy costs and more frequent extreme weather, the indoor agriculture industry has the potential to feed Canadians more reliably and maybe more sustainably, using greenhouses, vertical farms and hydroponic technology. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Thanks to United Way BC donors, 2.5 million meals were provided to families and individuals in need last year by their 16 Regional Community Food Hubs and seven Food Recovery Organizations. United Way BC photo

United Way BC funding goes a long way in boosting local food security

It’s Friday, payday, and you need groceries. You’ve worked out the budget…

  • Oct 10, 2022
Thanks to United Way BC donors, 2.5 million meals were provided to families and individuals in need last year by their 16 Regional Community Food Hubs and seven Food Recovery Organizations. United Way BC photo
Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).

City of Terrace backs northwest B.C.’s biggest egg producer to double output

Daybreak Farms wins big with approval to expand and modernize egg production

Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).
Chilliwack’s Andy Harrington (right), executive director with Canadian Foodgrains Bank, meet with farmers and others in Ethiopia in July. This farmer had “a massive explosion in growth,” after one year of being part of a Canadian Foodgrains Bank program. (Submitted by Andy Harrington)

Chilliwack man with national charity working to end hunger says world food crisis ‘solvable’

More than enough food in world but ‘we choose to allow people to die,’ says Andy Harrington

Chilliwack’s Andy Harrington (right), executive director with Canadian Foodgrains Bank, meet with farmers and others in Ethiopia in July. This farmer had “a massive explosion in growth,” after one year of being part of a Canadian Foodgrains Bank program. (Submitted by Andy Harrington)
Old Massett Village Council received 21,000 pounds of potatoes, which they are distributing to residents on Haida Gwaii. (Photo: Christopher David Horner)
Old Massett Village Council received 21,000 pounds of potatoes, which they are distributing to residents on Haida Gwaii. (Photo: Christopher David Horner)
(Courtesy photo)

Child hunger a major concern as Canadians hit by soaring food prices

About a third of people who rely on Canadian food banks are children

(Courtesy photo)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pauses after laying a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday, June 23, 2022. More than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi have been buried in a mass grave at the memorial. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Trudeau announces $250M in food aid, blames Russia for skyrocketing prices

Prime minister is in Kigali, Rwanda, for a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pauses after laying a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday, June 23, 2022. More than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi have been buried in a mass grave at the memorial. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A worker fills the shelves at a food bank in Montreal, on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. A new survey suggests a growing number of Canadians are struggling with the rising cost of food as prices for basics like pasta, bread and meat all soar. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Food banks stretched thin as food prices rise, increasing hunger and food insecurity

Survey: almost a quarter of Canadians reported eating less than they should because of lack of money

A worker fills the shelves at a food bank in Montreal, on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. A new survey suggests a growing number of Canadians are struggling with the rising cost of food as prices for basics like pasta, bread and meat all soar. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Chilliwack was one of a number of communities plunged underwater by the November 2021 floods. B.C. is investing $2.85 million in food security funding to help build better emergency response systems and resiliency. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. announces $2.85-million food security fund ahead of wildfire, flood season

Fund includes pilot test for app that allows communities to request food as needed

Chilliwack was one of a number of communities plunged underwater by the November 2021 floods. B.C. is investing $2.85 million in food security funding to help build better emergency response systems and resiliency. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Sumas Prairie as seen from Highway 1 near Chilliwack on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Chilliwack Bowls of Hope reaching out to those affected by Fraser Valley floods

Food relief offered with premade meals, produce distribution, and access to non-perishables

Sumas Prairie as seen from Highway 1 near Chilliwack on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
The FVRD is hosting a webinar on Thursday (March 17) to help businesses prepare for enforcement of the food waste bylaw beginning on April 1.

Fraser Valley Regional District hosting food waste bylaw webinar

Enforcement of new bylaw begins on April 1, several organizations planned to present at webinar

The FVRD is hosting a webinar on Thursday (March 17) to help businesses prepare for enforcement of the food waste bylaw beginning on April 1.
FILE - A worker collects Egyptian traditional ‘baladi’ flatbread, at a bakery, in el-Sharabia, Shubra district, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ukraine’s government banned the export of wheat, oats and other food staples on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 as authorities try to make sure they can feed people while Russia’s invasion intensifies.(AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty, File)

Canada urged to help as millions may starve due to Russian invasion of Ukraine

UN urging major wheat exporters to open up their silos to urgently fill the shortage of wheat

FILE - A worker collects Egyptian traditional ‘baladi’ flatbread, at a bakery, in el-Sharabia, Shubra district, Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Ukraine’s government banned the export of wheat, oats and other food staples on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 as authorities try to make sure they can feed people while Russia’s invasion intensifies.(AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty, File)
During this time of the year, many people will make donations to food banks. However, hunger and poverty are ongoing challenges. (File photo)

QUIZ: Test your knowledge of hunger and poverty

During this season of giving and generosity, many people are in need

During this time of the year, many people will make donations to food banks. However, hunger and poverty are ongoing challenges. (File photo)