food security

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

 

The Starfish Pack Program helps feed hungry students on the weekend whose families are financially struggling. (Brandon Tucker/The News)

Maple Ridge student charity keeps doors open after huge wave of community support

The Starfish Pack Program still needs additional funding to make it to end of school year

 

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)
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
Students from Eric Langton Elementary School collect their bags of nutritious snacks from the Starfish Pack Program and bring them back to school, where they will be stored for students in need until the following Thursday. (Brandon Tucker/The News)

Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows student charity in desperate need of funding

The local Starfish Pack Program helps feed more than 200 students over the weekends

Students from Eric Langton Elementary School collect their bags of nutritious snacks from the Starfish Pack Program and bring them back to school, where they will be stored for students in need until the following Thursday. (Brandon Tucker/The News)
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
Inflation and the rising cost of food is a concern for many Canadians. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)

LETTER: Maple Ridge senior chides food retailers for marketing methods

As a senior, one local letter writer doesn’t want to have to buy five cans of soup to get sale price

  • Oct 26, 2022
Inflation and the rising cost of food is a concern for many Canadians. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
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).
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)
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)
The last grocery store in Gold River closed in 2016. John McKinley File Photo

Hungry B.C. village hopes it’s close to having grocery store for 1st time in 5 years

Co-op on the way to finally replace the Gold River grocery store closed in 2016

The last grocery store in Gold River closed in 2016. John McKinley File Photo
A traditional salmon barbecue on Newcastle Island near Nanaimo. Black Press File Photo

Indigenous food sovereignty movement reclaiming wellness, sense of identity

Indigenous health dietitian says goal is to restore decision making power through food supply

A traditional salmon barbecue on Newcastle Island near Nanaimo. Black Press File Photo
Nathan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, right, looks on as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, addresses members of his cabinet and members of the ICPC Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, in Ottawa on Friday, March 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

National strategy calls on Canada to address Inuit food security crisis

Strategy specifically looks at support for families and children, food security programs and interventions

Nathan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, right, looks on as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, addresses members of his cabinet and members of the ICPC Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, in Ottawa on Friday, March 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand