Canada’s long-awaited national food policy is getting $134.4 million over five years, on a cash basis, starting next year, the Trudeau government says.
The policy, outlined in Budget 2019, will focus on tackling food waste, improving community access to healthy food, shining a spotlight on Canadian food both at home and abroad, and increasing food security in Northern and remote communities.
The Trudeau government promised to develop a national food policy during the 2015 election campaign. Included in the plan is a federal commitment to work with the provinces and territories to develop a harmonized National School Food Program aimed at ensuring Canadian school children have access to healthy food before and during school.
The plan will also see Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) oversee a new $50 million Local Food Infrastructure Fund, to be distributed over five years. The money will help fund and support “infrastructure for local food projects,” including at food banks, farmers’ markets and other community-driven projects. READ MORE
