Chamber News

MP Neil Ellis would like to provide the following update on federal programming measures for food banks and regional organizations that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

The Government of Canada will provide a total of $100 million dollars to improve access to food for Canadians facing social, economic, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will be delivered to national, regional, and local organizations across Canada that directly serve people and communities which are experiencing food insecurity.

Key organizations such as Food Banks Canada, Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada – will work with partners to meet the urgent food needs of Canadians, including Indigenous peoples and Northern populations. The $100M investment will be divided as follows:

• $50M to Food Banks Canada;
• $20M divided evenly between Salvation Army, Second Harvest, Community Food Centres Canada, and Breakfast Club of Canada; and
• $30M for local-level organizations who serve people experiencing food insecurity.

Using the networks already established by the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, the $30M dollars allocated for local-level organizations will help fund the purchase of food and other basic necessities; the purchase or rental of equipment and other materials to support storage or distribution; and also the delivery of these items to vulnerable community members that fully implement physical distancing guidelines.

All local food banks and or food organizations in the Bay of Quinte that are interested in partnering with the Local Food Infrastructure Fund should contact the AAFC Food Programs by e-mailing: aafc.foodprograms-programmesalimentaires.aac@canada.ca.

• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan can be reviewed at:  https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html.
• For current updates on all COVID-19 advisories, MP Ellis encourages everyone to visit: Canada.ca/coronavirus.