food security

Jason Austin donates 20 tonnes of produce from his Gatton House Farm to local food banks every year. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Central Saanich philanthropic farmer plants seeds for food security

Jason Austin donates all his farm’s produce to food banks

 

The Neighbourhood Market at Saanich Baptist Church is one of 10 that provide fresh produce to people in need across Greater Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Daily free food markets offer fresh produce to Greater Victorians in need

Ten Neighbourhood Markets operate across the region

 

The Sooke Region Communities Health Network has launched a survey to figure out the food security needs for residents living in and around Sooke. The deadline for the survey is set for Dec. 31. (Black Press Media file photo)

Survey launches to uncover food security needs in and around Sooke

Survey open until Dec. 31

 

A customer shops at a meat counter in a grocery store in Montreal, on Thursday, April 30, 2020. A new report from Statistics Canada suggests Canadians who dealt with food insecurity at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to perceive their mental health as poor and report anxiety symptoms than those who did not. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic linked to poor mental health: StatCan

‘Food insecurity in itself can be a stressful experience’

A customer shops at a meat counter in a grocery store in Montreal, on Thursday, April 30, 2020. A new report from Statistics Canada suggests Canadians who dealt with food insecurity at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to perceive their mental health as poor and report anxiety symptoms than those who did not. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A volunteer assists with Greenways Land Trust’s fruit tree project 2020 in August in Campbell River. As part of Strathcona Good Food Box program, Greenways Land Trust will also look at incorporating produce from their fruit tree project in the boxes. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror.

Conservation organization launches ‘food boxes’ for northern Vancouver Island communities

With Strathcona Good Food Box program, Greenways Land Trust aims to increase accessibility to fresh produce in remote communities

A volunteer assists with Greenways Land Trust’s fruit tree project 2020 in August in Campbell River. As part of Strathcona Good Food Box program, Greenways Land Trust will also look at incorporating produce from their fruit tree project in the boxes. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror.
Master gardener Pablo Vimos explaining vegetable production in planter boxes to Klemtu community members in 2019. (N-EAT image)

Growing food sovereignty at Klemtu

Greenhouse and grow boxes help create circular food economy for Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations

Master gardener Pablo Vimos explaining vegetable production in planter boxes to Klemtu community members in 2019. (N-EAT image)
(Pxfuel.com)

Food insecurity hits laid off workers, households with kids harder amid pandemic: StatsCan

Number of Canadians having trouble getting enough food went up during COVID-19

(Pxfuel.com)
Ariel Reyes Antuan and Jess Barton have started a community initiative to help racialized people facing food insecurity by providing them with burlap sack gardens. They said their garden has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic and they continue to learn about gardening as well. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

Victoria duo tackles food insecurity in Victoria with burlap sack gardens

Palenke Greens initiative an homage to Black and Indigenous connections

Ariel Reyes Antuan and Jess Barton have started a community initiative to help racialized people facing food insecurity by providing them with burlap sack gardens. They said their garden has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic and they continue to learn about gardening as well. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
Cattle graze in a field at Arrowvale Farm and Campground on Hector Road near Port Alberni, B.C. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the News)

Island region one of three granted small-scale slaughter licensing status

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District farmers can now apply for abattoir licence

Cattle graze in a field at Arrowvale Farm and Campground on Hector Road near Port Alberni, B.C. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the News)
A Cargill meat processing plant is shown in Chambly, Que., south of Montreal, Sunday, May 10, 2020. The plant is closing temporarily after at least 64 workers tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Another Cargill meat-processing plant closes after COVID-19 outbreak

171 workers were sent home last week as a preventative measure

A Cargill meat processing plant is shown in Chambly, Que., south of Montreal, Sunday, May 10, 2020. The plant is closing temporarily after at least 64 workers tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Growing Together helps residents in the Capital Regional District convert lawns, create raised beds and get planting on patios or even window sills. (Christine van Reeuwk/News Staff)

Growing food network in Greater Victoria brings seeds, expertise to the people

Growing Together helps residents dig in to gardening opportunities

Growing Together helps residents in the Capital Regional District convert lawns, create raised beds and get planting on patios or even window sills. (Christine van Reeuwk/News Staff)
North Vancouver Island communities join in to ‘squash the curve’

North Vancouver Island communities join in to ‘squash the curve’

Residents from Cumberland , Tahsis and Quadra Island are volunteering to grow winter squash on their lawns in a move towards sustainable food security

North Vancouver Island communities join in to ‘squash the curve’
Rob Booth (left) and Jason Smart, members of the BC Sheriffs Service, helped deliver 34 hampers to members of the Connections Place Society. (File contributed/Connections Place)

Greater Victoria sheriffs, local business deliver food to those struggling with mental health

More than $900 worth of groceries were delivered to members of the Connections Place Society

Rob Booth (left) and Jason Smart, members of the BC Sheriffs Service, helped deliver 34 hampers to members of the Connections Place Society. (File contributed/Connections Place)
Kia Victoria salesman Emery Mendria (left) and general manager Brad Ostermann pile food drive donations into the back of one of the dealership’s vehicles. (Photo courtesy Bethan Ostermann)

Victoria car dealership helps fill shelves at the Mustard Seed Food Bank

Kia Victoria staff also delivering groceries, prescriptions for home-bound residents

Kia Victoria salesman Emery Mendria (left) and general manager Brad Ostermann pile food drive donations into the back of one of the dealership’s vehicles. (Photo courtesy Bethan Ostermann)
( Food banks are looking for financial donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo).

Greater Victoria food banks ask public for financial donations during COVID-19 pandemic

Job losses cause increase in food insecurity across the region

( Food banks are looking for financial donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo).
Grocers, community come together for ‘hidden hungry’

Grocers, community come together for ‘hidden hungry’

Local grocers host Island Food Caring campaign Feb. 27 to March 22.

  • Feb 24, 2020
Grocers, community come together for ‘hidden hungry’
Riley Yakabuski (left) and Elora Adamson (right) have been sourcing meals from dumpsters since January 8 to raise funds and awareness about food insecurity in northern communities. Pictured January 16, 2019. (Jesse Laufer / News Staff)

UVic dumpster divers raise awareness for food waste

Eating only from dumpsters, the students hope to raise money for food banks in Northern Canada

  • Jan 17, 2019
Riley Yakabuski (left) and Elora Adamson (right) have been sourcing meals from dumpsters since January 8 to raise funds and awareness about food insecurity in northern communities. Pictured January 16, 2019. (Jesse Laufer / News Staff)
Vancouver Island’s Green Grocers with Soul

Vancouver Island’s Green Grocers with Soul

Daisy and Adam Orser have a passion for local, quality food at the Root Cellar in Victoria

  • Aug 23, 2018
Vancouver Island’s Green Grocers with Soul
Riders on The Urban Sustainable Food Tour will venture through the city, tasting samples from eateries with local, sustainable food practices while learning about Victoria’s growing urban agriculture movement. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

Take a ride through Victoria’s growing urban agriculture movement

Bike Tours Victoria, Food Eco District host adventures through city’s sustainable food projects

Riders on The Urban Sustainable Food Tour will venture through the city, tasting samples from eateries with local, sustainable food practices while learning about Victoria’s growing urban agriculture movement. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
Kathryn Juricic of Fernwood NRG says so many other food drive programs this time of year focus on non-perishable items, so The Gift of Good Good focuses on providing fresh produce. Photo courtesy of Fernwood NRG

Victoria’s Gift of Good Food program, a holiday offering for the whole year

Fernwood NRG aims to raise $75,000 to provide fresh produce for families in need

Kathryn Juricic of Fernwood NRG says so many other food drive programs this time of year focus on non-perishable items, so The Gift of Good Good focuses on providing fresh produce. Photo courtesy of Fernwood NRG