Minister of Health announces funding for nutrition education programs in support of Nutrition North Canada

News Release
2011-30
February 21, 2011
For immediate release

IQALUIT, Nunavut – Today, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced $4.43 million in funding over two years for nutrition education programs which will support isolated northern communities under the new Nutrition North Canada program.”Eating healthy foods is an essential part of overall good health”, said the Minister. “The Nutrition North Canada program will bring healthy fresh and frozen foods to isolated northern communities. We want to ensure that we are helping communities increase their knowledge of healthy eating and allow them to develop skills for selecting and preparing healthy store-bought and traditional or country foods. Health Canada funding will do just that.”

The Nutrition North Canada program will replace the Food Mail Program on April 1, 2011. Health Canada has been playing an active role in the provision of funding of retail and community-based nutrition education initiatives to communities.

In 2010-11, Health Canada funds will support eligible communities with planning and transition to full implementation of the Nutrition North Canada program in April 2011. Funds are in the process of flowing to the territorial governments of Nunavut and Northwest Territories, to Old Crow in Yukon and to the Health Canada regions of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. Some examples of how these funds are being used include: workshops for community workers to introduce the new program; workshops on cooking skills for adults, teens, parents and children; and, resource materials are being developed and supplies are being purchased to help community workers lead activities such as in-store taste tests and cooking classes.

These initiatives will build on evidence and existing community-based activities, with an increased focus on the food retail environment.

For further information on the Nutrition North Canada program, refer to the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada website at www.nutritionnorthcanada.ca.

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
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Jenny Van Alstyne
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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