It's vocal for local food on the plates and trays of patients... STAT.
Patients at hospitals and residential care facilities in Northern Health will enjoy more provincial food options on their meal trays.
This will result in greater opportunities for B.C. farmers, fishers, ranchers and food processors.
"We are creating a resilient food system for the people of British Columbia through programs like Feed BC," said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture in a news release this morning (Sept. 21).
"I'm so excited Northern Health is now part of Feed BC. We're opening the door for a multitude of new, exciting business opportunities for B.C. farmers, fishers, ranchers and processors and I know they're looking forward to providing more of their delicious products in the North."
Examples of current B.C. produced or processed products and suppliers to Northern Health's facilities include:
- Chicken from Sunrise Farms
- Frozen green beans and peas from Sysco
- Cheese from Paradise Island
- Falafels from Amana Foods Inc.
- Applesauce from Sun-Rype Products Ltd.
- Frozen blueberries from Snowcrest Foods
Through Feed BC, the Ministry of Agriculture is working with supply-chain partners to increase opportunities for northern producers and processors interested in selling to BC's public-sector institutions.
Business development skills, guidance on how to sell to institutions, and targeted training for more northern producers to acquire food safety certifications required by health facilities.
"Northern Health is committed to continuing to work with our food suppliers and food distributors to include even more BC. foods on our menu," says Northern Health spokesperson Michael Hoefer.
"Supporting BC producers while preparing healthy meals with local ingredients for our patients and residents meets the values of our communities in the North."
- with files from Dawson Creek Mirror
