Kamloops food-action initiative lauded on 20th anniversary

NEWS/ CITY HALL — Nine strawberry plants were presented to City council on Tuesday as the Kamloops Food Policy Council — a group that formed years ahead of its time — marked its 20th anniversary.

Laura Kalina, a community nutritionist instrumental in forming the group, recounted a few of their accomplishments through the years. These included Community Kitchens, still operated by Interior Community Services, community gardens that now dot the city, FoodShare, Kamloops Public Produce Project, produce gleaning and Gardengate, now operated by the Open Door Group.

The initial motivation for Kalina was discovering that some impoverished families were relying on soup made from water, salt and pepper.

“I couldn’t believe that in this community,” she said.

Food security is more than a poverty issue, she added, stating that the city would have only a three-day food supply if the highway were somehow shut down.

Other cities have followed suit, but Kamloops was the first to establish a food policy council.

Community Kitchens teach proper nutrition while community gardens provide plots so that residents without their own gardens can enjoy growing their own produce. FoodShare is an initiative that captures the estimated 30 per cent of retail and restaurant food that would otherwise go to waste in the landfill. Gardengate is a horticultural project that promotes healthy eating and lifestyles for people with mental health issues.

The newest program, the Gleaning Abundance Project, harvests surplus fruit and vegetables that are distributed between volunteers, homeowners and community agencies.

Kalina said she is proud that in 2010, family food security was included in the Kamloops Sustainability Plan. The council will also play a role in the newly established Urban Agricultural Plan.

Several councillors lauded the council for its community achievements.