‘Support along the entire food security spectrum’; Kamloops Food Bank lauds provincial investment

KAMLOOPS — The province is investing more than $200 million in food security to ensure people have better access to an increased supply of affordable, local food. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will invest in new and enhanced programs to strengthen B.C.’s food supply chain and expand local food production from producers to processors and from packers to retailers.

Additionally, grants from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction will strengthen food banks, food distribution and food access. This includes providing food to under-served communities through trusted partners, such as Foodbanks BC and the United Way.

“What this funding really ensures is that there is support along the entire food security spectrum. From emergency food provision, to climate change supports as well as for producers. This money isn’t going directly to food banks or emergency meal programs alone — it’s supporting that entire spectrum,” said Kamloops Food Bank Executive Director Bernadette Siracky.

It’s unclear exactly how much funding the Kamloops Food Bank will receive from the government. Regardless, Siracky noted it’s an important investment into food banks across Canada that are being utilized more than ever.

“What we are noticing now as things are settling out, is that the costs just to survive are increasing in every area of people’s lives. Our numbers at the food bank are unprecedented, they are going up and up and up. We are actually having conversations around what is our ceiling, what is our ceiling, how much can we offer our community. Those are conversations we really haven’t had before. This kind of news is helpful to know that there is support provincially,” added Siracky.