Title: Action Plan to Address Food Insecurity in La Matanie Unveiled
Date: 2023-06-20
The recently announced 2023-2025 action plan in La Matanie aims to tackle the pressing issue of food insecurity in the region. Inspired by the Forum Matanie nourishière held last fall, the plan brings together stakeholders from the municipal, education, and community sectors to address the challenges faced by the citizens of La Matanie, particularly in terms of food needs.
During a press conference held on Monday, the action plan was presented, highlighting the key observations made during the Forum Matanie nourishière. Despite existing initiatives, the food needs in La Matanie remain significant. The plan identifies several challenges and issues, including increased food needs, the impact of inflation on the cost of groceries, the presence of food deserts, isolation of people over a large territory, persistent prejudices, lack of knowledge of existing resources and services, and a low level of food literacy.
To develop an effective strategy, the MRC de La Matanie has collaborated with the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) of Bas-St-Laurent, the Community Development Corporation of the Matane region, and COSMOSS Matania. Recognizing the need for partnership and collaboration, the MRC acknowledges that they do not have all the necessary resources to implement the action plan alone.
The action plan focuses on four main objectives. Firstly, it aims to promote economic and physical access to healthy food throughout the region. This includes initiatives such as the development of mobile counters and groceries at social pricing to improve access to food. Additionally, improving the food supply in schools and supporting initiatives in underserved areas are key components of this objective.
Secondly, the plan emphasizes the stimulation of food self-sufficiency. It aims to maintain and acquire knowledge and culinary practices through food education. The MRC plans to offer diversified culinary workshops targeting various demographics, including young people, the elderly, families, and individuals living alone. The implementation of a home economics program is also being considered.
The third objective of the action plan is the recovery of food. The MRC aims to enhance communication between organizations to better distribute and recover food, reducing food waste. A food security networking project manager has been hired to evaluate and improve the redistribution of food that is still suitable for consumption.
Lastly, citizen and community involvement is a crucial aspect of the plan. The strategy emphasizes networking and mobilization to raise awareness and encourage participation in addressing food security. Various means will be employed to improve consultation and citizen engagement.
The action plan is seen as a first step towards a more comprehensive approach to food security in La Matanie. It remains flexible and adaptable over time, reflecting the evolving needs of the community. The MRC, along with its partner organizations, is committed to working together to meet the food needs of the population and create a fair food future for all.
Overall, the action plan represents a significant effort to combat food insecurity in La Matanie. By addressing the identified challenges and involving multiple stakeholders, the plan aims to improve access to healthy food, promote self-sufficiency, reduce food waste, and foster community engagement.Title: MRC de La Matanie Launches Action Plan to Address Food Insecurity
Date: June 19, 2023
The MRC de La Matanie, in collaboration with various organizations, has unveiled a comprehensive action plan to tackle food insecurity in the region. The plan, which covers the period from 2023 to 2025, aims to address the pressing food challenges faced by the citizens of La Matanie.
The initiative was inspired by the Forum Matanie nourishière, a gathering held last fall that brought together stakeholders from the municipal, education, and community sectors to discuss the issues of food insecurity in Quebec. Vanessa Caron, the Director of Territorial Development at the MRC de La Matanie, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues in their particularly disadvantaged territory.
During a press conference held on Monday, the MRC de La Matanie presented the action plan, highlighting the need for collective efforts and partnerships with organizations to effectively implement the plan. Andrew Turcotte, the prefect of La Matanie, acknowledged that the MRC does not have all the necessary resources to carry out the action plan alone.
The action plan identifies several key challenges and issues related to food insecurity in the MRC of La Matanie. These include increased food needs, the impact of inflation on the cost of groceries, the presence of food deserts, isolation of people over a large territory, persistent prejudices, lack of knowledge of existing resources and services, and low levels of food literacy.
To address these challenges, the action plan focuses on four main objectives. The first objective is to promote economic and physical access to healthy food throughout the region. This includes initiatives such as the development of mobile counters or groceries at social pricing to improve access to food. The plan also emphasizes the importance of improving the food supply in schools and supporting initiatives in underserved areas.
The second objective is to stimulate food self-sufficiency through food education and the acquisition of new knowledge and culinary practices. The plan aims to offer diversified culinary workshops targeting different demographics, including young people, the elderly, families, and individuals living alone. The implementation of a home economics program is also being considered.
The third objective of the action plan is the recovery of food. The plan emphasizes the need for better communication and collaboration between organizations to minimize food waste and improve food distribution. A food security networking project manager has been hired to evaluate and enhance the redistribution of food that is still suitable for consumption.
The fourth and final objective is citizen and community involvement. The plan aims to foster networking and mobilization among stakeholders to raise awareness and encourage citizen participation in addressing food security. Initiatives such as setting up a nourishing Matanie table are being explored to achieve this goal.
The MRC de La Matanie acknowledges that the action plan is a first step in a more comprehensive approach to food security. The plan remains flexible and adaptable over time, reflecting the evolving needs of the community.
By launching this action plan, the MRC de La Matanie and its partner organizations are demonstrating their commitment to addressing food insecurity and creating a fair food future for the population. With concerted efforts and collaboration, they aim to make a significant impact on the food situation in La Matanie and improve the overall well-being of its citizens.
food supply chain
Evelopment of mobile counters and groceries at social pricing to improve food access. The plan also emphasizes improving the food supply in schools and supporting initiatives in underserved areas.
The second objective is to stimulate food self-sufficiency by maintaining and acquiring knowledge and culinary practices through food education. The plan includes offering diversified culinary workshops targeting various demographics, as well as considering the implementation of a home economics program.
The third objective is the recovery of food to reduce waste. The plan aims to enhance communication between organizations to better distribute and recover food that is still suitable for consumption. A food security networking project manager has been hired to evaluate and improve the redistribution of food.
Lastly, citizen and community involvement is a crucial aspect of the action plan. The strategy emphasizes networking and mobilization to raise awareness and encourage participation in addressing food security. Improved consultation and citizen engagement are key components of this objective.
The action plan is seen as a first step towards a more comprehensive approach to food security in La Matanie. It is designed to be flexible and adaptable over time, reflecting the evolving needs of the community. The MRC de La Matanie, along with its partner organizations, is committed to working together to meet the food needs of the population and create a fair food future for all.
Overall, the action plan represents a significant effort to combat food insecurity in La Matanie. By addressing the identified challenges and involving multiple stakeholders, the plan aims to improve access to healthy food, promote self-sufficiency, reduce food waste, and foster community engagement.
