NEW!! Food For All Coalition Newsletter - Jan. 2014

[Oscar]

Food For All Coalition Newsletter - January 2014

Issue’s highlights: TOPICS BELOW . . . .

Gardening Mentorship- Tisdale

Home Canning 101 – Saskatoon Tribal Council Nutritionist & Kinistin Wellness Clinic

Learn to Cook – Saskatoon Tribal Council Nutritionist & Yellow Quill School

Poverty Reduction Task Force- Tisdale, Nipawin & Melfort

Upcoming Events

Webinars

Resources

Information Links /About Us

If you would like to be added to or removed from the email list please email kcopeland@kthr.sk.ca with your contact information. Your name and email address will not be shared with other individuals, departments, or organizations. Thank you!

Kathleen Copeland Chair, Food For All Coalition
Public Health Nutrition
Box 6500, Melfort, S0E 1A0
kcopeland@kthr.sk.ca
Ph:(306) 752-6310 Fax:(306) 752-6353


Food For All Coalition Representatives:

Brenda Ives, Northeast Regional Intersectoral Committee

Kathleen Copeland, Kelsey Trail Health Region

Joanne Weighill, Ministry of Social Services -Nipawin

Cheryl Gudmunson, Good Food Box Coordinator (Tisdale & Area Community Action Cooperative Ltd.)

Myrtie Rempel, Nipawin Oasis

Leroy Bader, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

Myrna Soonias, KidsFirst Regional

Mary Lou Bond, KidsFirst (Nipawin)

Elaine Hughes, Beyond Factory Farming Coalition

Sheri Fengstad, Salvation Army

Bruce LaBarre, North East Local Food Producers Inc.

Stephanie Kendel, Saskatoon Tribal Council

Jen Oldford/ Kelsey Ring, Prince Albert Grand Council

= = =

Gardening Mentorship:

Mentorship is a long proven method to facilitate the transfer of skills and has been used for generations to pass on life skills in a very effective and sustainable manner. Producing home grown garden fruit and vegetables has, in the past, been a staple of most families, particularly rural families. Unfortunately this skill in many cases has not been taken up by younger families or in many cases people have never had the opportunity to develop these skills.

The Northeast Food For All Coalition has initiated a mentorship program that focuses on the development of mentor-mentee relationships to promote and transfer gardening skills. Formal agreements and training opportunities will help facilitate the development of these relationships.

The project goal for the initial year of the Garden Mentorship program was to achieve one mentor /mentee pair that would demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. The establishment of four mentor/mentee pairs in three categories indicates a very successful year even though they could not all reach a successful end. The experience gained in this initial year by all participants will help provide input into an even more successful year in 2014.

Mentorship program activities in 2013 included:

April 23 – Informational workshop to explain project and accept applications.

May 7 - Workshop to establish mentor/mentee pairs and sign agreements.

June 25 - Group tour of established gardens

August25 - Open farm day tour to Rudy’s Fruit and Vegetable farm east of Codette and Aylsham Fruit and Vegetable farm.

October - Project report and feedback form sent to participants.

There are a number of levels on which mentorship occurred.

Mentor home gardens – Which were not being utilized or not used to capacity.

2013 Results: One mentor/mentee pair fit this category. A small garden was established, on an unused plot in the mentors lot, by the mentee who managed to successfully harvest some produce from it.

Mentee home gardens – Had a gardening space but limited experience

2013 Results: Two mentor/mentee pairs fit in this category. Unfortunately one mentee had to drop out due to family issues before getting a garden established. The second mentee failed to get a garden established due to extremely wet conditions in the intended garden space.

Rental Garden space – often available near communities for a reasonable rental fee

2013 Results: one mentor/mentee pair fit in this category. For a fee of $25 the mentee was able to rent a plot. The mentor was a long term gardener with an adjacent plot who was able to provide advice and assistance to the mentee. The mentee was successful in establishing a garden but unfortunately had to move from the area before being able to enjoy much of the produce from it.

For more information contact Leroy Bader at (306) 873-4103 or email lbader@sasktel.net

= = = = =

Home Canning 101 – Saskatoon Tribal Council Nutritionist & Kinistin Wellness Clinic:

In September, members of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation were invited to the Kinistin Wellness Clinic for a workshop on Home Canning 101. Monthly community kitchens are inspired by community request and are led by the Saskatoon Tribal Council community nutritionist (RD) and assisted by the Home Health Aid in community. "Home Canning 101" was selected by the kitchen members. The basics of home boiling water canning, safety, methods of packing and storage were covered. A step-by-step demonstration of canning salsa was provided to the group. All who attended received home canning information and recipes on canning salsa and peaches as well as the jars of salsa– the result of our hard labors! Home canning is a great way to preserve some of our extra bounty from our community or home garden in the fall.

Submitted by Stephanie Kendel, RD CDE, Community Nutritionist, Saskatoon Tribal Council

306-956-0302 email: skendel@sktc.sk.ca

_____________________________________

Learn to Cook – Saskatoon Tribal Council Nutritionist & Yellow Quill School:

In November, grade 6 students at Nawigizigweyas Education Centre successfully completed the four week school cooking program, Learn to Cook! This program is jointly run by the Yellow Quill Wellness Clinic and the Saskatoon Tribal Council Community Nutritionist in partnership with the Nawigizigweyas Education Center. It is a four week program with hands-on cooking experience. Students leave with an increased knowledge of safe food handling, kitchen safety and nutrition as well as increased cooking skills and food literacy.

Submitted by Stephanie Kendel, RD CDE, Community Nutritionist, Saskatoon Tribal Council 306-956-0302 email: skendel@sktc.sk.ca

_____________________________________________

Poverty Reduction Task Force:

The Salvation Army submitted a funding proposal to the Salvation Army National Office for a yearlong "Poverty Reduction Task Force" to replace the existing Food For All Coalition Poverty Free Saskatchewan Conversation Cafes that were held from Jan 2012 until Jan 2013. The task force was to be similar in concept and function to the existing groups but would be more strategic having specific targets every three months.

Poverty Reduction Task Forces participants representing agencies and first voice were invited to participate in Tisdale, Nipawin and Melfort. Starting in May 2013 two facilitators, Peter Waldbillig and Cec Gooliaff lead the first two meetings. Specific plans were developed to reduce poverty in the community. After the initial two meeting each community task force continued to meet monthly. To date the following work has been completed and will continue:

Oct 17th Poverty No More Day was proclaimed by mayors in each of the 3 communities. Letters were written to each mayor asking them to sign a proclamation to eradicate poverty. A news release was issued and photos of the signing were published in each community newspaper. This will become an annual event.

The Poverty Reduction Taskforce has developed a communication strategy known as the "Poverty Busters" which includes media releases, posters and handouts on various subjects. The topics have included: winterizing your home which included a kit containing plastic window covering and weather stripping- 90-100 kits were distributed (Oct-Nov); free activities to do with your children (Dec); budget shopping tips (Jan). Future topics will include helping low income folks get their income tax filed on March 17 &18 at the Salvation Army church in Melfort, Nipawin and Tisdale. Gardening will be the April topic.

A Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA )presentation on Landlord and Tenants Law is planned for Cumberland College Melfort campus broadcasting to Tisdale and Nipawin college campuses on Feb 6th.

Poverty Awareness Workshop will be hosted in Melfort & Nipawin early in 2014.
Currently the agencies involved in the Task Force are investigating the sustainability of the Task Force after the funding runs out in April 2014.

For more information contact Mike Hoeft 306 752-5364 e-mail: Mike_Hoeft@can.salvationarmy.org

________________________________

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Volunteers Needed - Are you willing to help low income folks get their income tax filed on March 17 &18 at the Salvation Army Church in Melfort, Nipawin and Tisdale. We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to take the CRA’s online volunteer income tax training and be available to help in March. The training needs to be completed by Feb 28.
If you are interested please contact by Feb 14, 2014 for more details: Shannon Young (Melfort) 306 752-5365 Sheri Fengstad (Tisdale and Nipawin) 306 862-5335


Baby Day - Nipawin Oasis, Kelsey Trail Health Region and Nipawin KidsFirst are partnering to provide a monthly Baby Day at the Nipawin Oasis Centre. Baby Day is for parents and very young children (pre-natal to toddler age) to connect with each other and share parenting joys and worries. Support, education and resources are available. A healthy lunch is provided compliments of Oasis.
Next Baby Day: Monday, February 3 at 1 PM.
For more information contact: Rhonda Teichreb 306-812-8447 or RTeichreb@kthr.sk.ca


Residential, Landlord, & Tenants Law Presentation – A Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA ) volunteer speaker: Mr. Ahmed Malik, Annand Law Office

Date: Feb 6, 2014 @ 10:30- 11:30 am

Location: Cumberland College Melfort, Tisdale and Nipawin

Register: Lindsey Moskal 306 752-8115 (Melfort)

Corrine Lam Ma 306 873-3845 (Tisdale)

Jackie Masich 306-862-9847 (Nipawin)

___________________________________

Webinars:

Household Food Insecurity in Canada Hosted by Food Secure Canada Thursday, January 16, 1:00 - 2:00 pm EST Join Dr. Valerie Tarasuk and Dr. Catherine Mah to hear the most recent results from the national household survey data and discuss with leaders from across Canada priority actions to address household food insecurity.

Read more:

[ http://foodsecurecanada.org/resources-n ... ity-canada ]

==

Local Food in Canadian Schools, Campuses and Health Care Facilities
Hosted by Food Security Network of Newfoundland and Labrador Tuesday, January 28, 12:00 to 1:00 pm (NST) Join Dr. Mary McKenna to learn about Farm to Cafeteria Canada's nationwide survey of activities taken by Canadian schools, universities and colleges, and healthcare facilities to provide local food, reported in: Local Foods: Canadian schools, campuses, and health care facilities speak up:
[ http://www.farmtocafeteriacanada.ca/wp- ... p-2013.pdf ]

Read more: [ http://foodsecurecanada.org/resources-n ... lth-care-0 ]

________________________________

Resources:

Northeast Saskatchewan Food Charter -
[ http://www.foodsecuresaskatchewan.ca/im ... harter.pdf ]

The Cost of Healthy Eating in Saskatchewan 2009: Impact on Food Security
[ http://www.foodsecuresaskatchewan.ca/im ... n_2010.pdf ]

Thought About Food Workbook
[ http://www.foodthoughtful.ca/ ]

How a guaranteed annual income could put food banks out of business
[ http://policyschool.ucalgary.ca/sites/d ... kfinal.pdf ]

____________________________

Information Links:

Food Secure Canada
[ www.foodsecurecanada.org ]

Food Secure Saskatchewan
[ http://www.foodsecuresaskatchewan.ca/ ]

Assiniboine Food Security Alliance
[ http://www.afsamatters.ca/ ]

Poverty Free Saskatchewan
[ http://www.povertyfreesask.ca/ ]

Food Banks Canada
[ http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/ ]

Proof/ Research to identify policy options to reduce food security
[ http://nutritionalsciences.lamp.utoronto.ca/ ]

Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts
[ http://www.thecanadianfacts.org/ ]

North East Local Food Producers Inc.
[ http://www.nelocalfood.ca/ ]

Center on the Developing Child
[ http://developingchild.harvard.edu/ ]

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture:
[ www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca ]

- - - - -

About Us

Food For All Coalition Vision:
All residents in northeast Saskatchewan are food secure.

Our Mission:

Ensuring that everyone in Northeast Saskatchewan has food security through:

The ready availability of quality foods

The assured ability to access and acquire personally acceptable foods.

Our Objectives:

Promote awareness and public education of local food security issues.

Network with all community stakeholders to determine the issues and find food security solutions.

Support community development of food security initiatives.

Provide food security initiative resource materials and information to interested communities.

Work in partnership to develop food policy supporting a healthy and viable food system.


Something you may not know about food security
"When people cannot get enough to eat because they don’t have the resources, not (only)does physical health decline, but so does mental health and well being, and people’s ability to engage with others, participate in work or recreation, and more generally function in a healthy way. The current solutions to food insecurity are not adequate, and hunger must be part of any conversation about poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, and the solutions to these problems." Stephen Gaetz, Associate Dean, Research and Professional Development, Faculty of Education Director, Homeless Hub (Canadian Homelessness Research Network)