Addressing Food Security in Prince George
The Critical Food Infrastructure Grant provides much needed support, especially during Prince George's coldest time of the year
As the weather continues to get colder and snowier, we are so grateful to know that United Way BC’s Critical Food Infrastructure Grant (CFIG), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction, is helping people receive warmth, safety, and nutritious meals. Not only does CFIG help ensure that people can receive nourishment during these harsh winter months, but it also increases year-round access to food.
In the case of Positive Living North: No Kheyoh t’sih’en t’sehena Society’s Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre in Prince George, funding from CFIG has allowed them to purchase program-changing equipment for their kitchen staff. The purchases through the grant included much-needed upgrades of old equipment and new equipment to enhance food productivity and safety.
Positive Living North: No Kheyoh t’sih’en t’sehena Society is an Indigenous AIDS agency in Northern BC helping those who have, are at risk of, or are affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI). The Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre is a street-level program which offers a safe, healthy space for cultural activities to be practiced in community.
Supporting our communities with CFIG
The funding from CFIG allowed Positive Living North: No Kheyoh t’sih’en t’sehena Society to purchase a new commercial-grade refrigerator, which is as powerful as it is beautiful! This piece of equipment is incredibly important considering how finicky and unpredictable the old refrigerator was. A reliable, commercial grade refrigerator improves food safety and allows for future planning.
With a second CFIG funded purchase of a food warmer, food produced can now be kept fresh for longer. This extended timeframe makes a huge difference for those who come to the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre in need of a meal and also significantly reduces stress on the kitchen staff.
The third purchase through CFIG funding was a dishwasher. Requirements state that food production initiatives, like that of the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre, are required to serve on paper plates or have a certain grade of dishwasher; this can be a great barrier for agencies. These requirements mean that agencies without a dishwasher must regularly purchase hundreds of paper plates and single-use cutlery, which has an environmental impact and can quickly dwindle the budget. An industrial dishwasher saves innumerable staff hours, reduces waste, and adds the dignity of home-style dinnerware.
These three pieces of equipment, as well as planned purchases of freezers and stoves, will help Positive Living North: No Kheyoh t’sih’en t’sehena Society greatly, and we are so happy to be part of their continued support for people in need in our community. When you’re just one man regularly producing 80 pounds of chili for one meal (as happens at the Fire Pit!), equipment like this is truly a game-changer that allows more love and attention to be given to the preparation and delivery of the food.
Tackling the issue of Food Security
CFIG strengthens local food security by supporting the development and implementation of community-led food infrastructure projects across the province. This grant supports initiatives, like the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre, to increase year-round access and availability of nourishing and culturally preferred foods.
By offering grants like CFIG and Climate Resilient Communities: Food Infrastructure Grant (FIG), as well as Regional Community Food Hubs, Food Fillers, and more, United Way BC aims to promote food access across the province. With donor’s support, we can ensure people living in British Columbia can get the nourishing, healthy, and culturally preferable food they need.