Workshop aims to help all residents access healthy foods

April 28, 2015

Community partners, public explore ways to reduce hunger and malnutrition

MEDICINE HAT – Community agencies, local food producers and residents are coming together this month to explore ways to ensure all people have access to good-quality, affordable and healthy food.

The free event, Create Change, End Hunger, runs May 6 and 7 at the Southside Events Centre, 4 Strachan Court S.E.

The Community Food Connections Association (CFCA) of Southeastern Alberta is presenting the event, in partnership with Alberta Health Services and other community partners.

Participants will view the film Growing Cities, about one urban centre’s journey to create a sustainable food system. They’ll also hear from guest speaker Susan Roberts from the Growing Food Security of Alberta Network, who will be presenting on ways to increase access to healthy, safe, affordable and nutritious food for all people. Local food producers will have booths and food samples available.

The event concludes with a discussion of results from last spring’s 2014 Hunger Count Survey. The survey was sent to agencies that provide community food support — such as food banks, soup kitchens and other initiatives that ensure people have access to healthy foods — and showed more work and collaboration is needed in order to reduce hunger and malnutrition in the community.

Day and evening workshops are available. Call 403-502-6096 to register; only 60 spots are available to the general public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

CFCA is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers, agencies and citizens concerned about food, nutrition, health, social justice, the environment and local agriculture. CFCA leads the following food security initiatives in Medicine Hat and Redcliff: The Good Food Club, Community Kitchens, Community Gardens, The Food Charter and The Hat Food Movement. Visit the website for more information: foodconnections.ca.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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