Halifax funds plan to fight food insecurity

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, regional council approved the funding of $60,000 to the Halifax Food Policy Alliance to help eliminate hunger.

The city’s support will amount to half of the project’s budget.

When asked where the second half of the money is coming from, Leticia Smillie, municipal representative for the Halifax Food Policy Alliance, said the project is a collaborative effort shared by institutions and non-profits.

Smillie expects Feed Nova Scotia, the Public Libraries as well as the Schulich School of Law will come together with the other $60,000 or provide support through in-kind contributions.

According to a staff report, 14.3 per cent of households in Nova Scotia experience food insecurity, while 22.8 per cent of children live in households that struggle with food insecurity.

Wesley Petite, co-chair of the Halifax Food Policy Alliance, said council’s support will help jumpstart the development of a food action plan.

“Over the next two years, the municipality will work with the Halifax Food Policy Alliance, a partnership of individuals and organizations that represent different sectors related to the food system, to develop this plan,” Petite said in a news release.

The alliance says besides addressing food insecurity, the food action plan will take into account the environment and jobs in the food industry.

As the motion came to a close Mayor Mike Savage praised the work of those working with the association.

“This is amazing work that the city’s involved in and it brings me much joy to see so many people in the community working on improving the city,” said Savage.

Council acted on the recommendation of the community planning and economic development standing committee, which supported the financial contribution and the establishment of a food charter. That plan included an interactive food map.