Kaslo, Williams Lake, Clearwater, Lillooet to name a few communities, are all doing it, and now Merritt is too. These are just a few communities that have taken steps towards improving their food security.

What is food security? “Community food security exists when all citizens obtain a safe, personally acceptable, nutritious diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes healthy choices, community self-reliance and equal access for everyone.” (Bellows and Hamm, 2003)

What has changed that Merritt needs to address food security? According to Jill Starrs, Dietitian with the Food Security Task Group, “Food Security affects everyone in ways we don’t readily recognize. The erosion of food security has been happening for many years and is now culminating into a perfect storm.”

Starrs continues to provide examples. Many people associate food insecurity with people who use the food bank. In 1984, when the first food bank opened in Edmonton, the food bank was meant to be temporary. Unfortunately, the need has risen, and the people who use the food bank have changed to include the working poor, seniors and more children. Higher costs for housing and food, the economic downturn, climate change, and the way our global food is grown, sold and transported are a few factors contributing to food insecurity.

But things can change and Merritt is primed. Great food programs do exist in town, for example, Footprints Harvest Organic Produce Delivery Service, the Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market, and Merritt Moms & Families Support Program which provides hot meals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for parents who are expecting a baby and continued support through to six years of age. Emergency Food Programs include the Nicola Valley & District Food Bank and the Soup Bowl – St. Michael’s Anglican Church.

Recently, Rose Soneff, Community Nutritionist with Interior Health illustrated the Food Security Continuum at a gathering of community members interested in Food Security.

“At one end of the continuum, Emergency Food Programs meet the immediate needs of people in crisis but moving along the continuum allows individuals and communities to increase their ability to improve their skills. For example, at the Capacity Building stage could include community gardens, kitchens, school garden programs where participants not only meet the need for food but learn valuable lifelong skills.”

The Plant a Row program recently launched is an example of this Capacity Building stage. Soneff says, “At the other end of the continuum is Food Policy, which can guide changes in communities. For example, Recreation Centers that offers healthy nutritious food at an affordable price, or including a buy local food policy in purchasing guidelines.”

Small communities benefit from addressing food security. First, there is an economic benefit. Currently, 55 per cent of our food needs to be imported from the US, China, Mexico and Chile. Investment in local food decreases the reliance on imported food and increases the ability to weather, pardon the pun, climate change. These investment dollars stay in the community and nurture value-added food businesses.

Secondly, study after study shows that having a healthy diet reduces health care costs as many chronic diseases are diet related. The number one reason cited for not eating more fruits and vegetables is the cost. Finally, eating healthily means performing well – less sick time, being more alert and energized. A Farm 2 School salad bar program running in Mountview School in Williams Lake was heavily endorsed to continue on even after funding was finished. Why? Principal Rick Miller cited that there was less bullying, teachers commented on students being more alert, attentive and performing better.

If you are interested in being involved, contact Jill Starrs, Clinical Dietitian at 250-378-3236 or Sharon Hartline, ASK Rural Health Services Support Counselor at 250-280-0407.

Article submitted by Food Securities Task Force