Rising food prices and operating costs are a reality across Canada and are significantly impacting northern and isolated communities' purchasing power. To address these challenges, the Government of Canada is continuing to work with Indigenous and northern partners to support their local priorities and improve food sovereignty in the North and Arctic.
Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, announced an important milestone for the enhanced Nutrition North Canada program, which will have a significant impact on residents in 112 northern and isolated communities. The Government of Canada is signing grant agreements with 24 regional Indigenous governments and organizations to distribute over $120 million in funding from the Harvesters Support Grant and the new Community Food Programs Fund to eligible communities.
Through this two-year investment, communities will be able to determine and implement their own food security priorities.
The Harvesters Support Grant provides funding for traditional hunting, harvesting and food sharing activities, and has supported over 5,500 harvesters in northern communities since its inception in 2020. The newly launched Community Food Programs Fund provides funding for community food sharing initiatives-including group ordering, and Elder and school meal programs-which help strengthen social safety networks that are critical to food security in the North and Arctic.
Developed in direct collaboration with Indigenous and northern partners, these initiatives encourage the restoration of harvesting culture and traditions, and support local food production.
