Celebrate Food - From Field to Table

VANCOUVER ISLAND – March is Nutrition Month in Canada and the Vancouver Island Health Authority invites you to join in celebrating food – right from where it’s grown and harvested, all the way to the delicious and healthy food on our tables!

More and more, people are talking about where their food comes from and choosing to eat foods that are grown closer to home. This not only supports local growers and keeps food dollars within our local economy; it also means reduced transportation costs and – best of all – more flavourful and nutritious food.

All across Vancouver Island, activities for Nutrition Month will celebrate the locally grown bounty. We will also highlight the role and importance of Community Nutritionists and Dietitians in supporting positive food choices and providing the most reliable sources of information about nutrition and healthy eating. As part of ActNowBC, VIHA funds the Community Food Action Initiative, helping community groups increase capacity to address local food security through increasing awareness, increasing access to healthy food, and increasing food knowledge.

Here are a few simple tips for enjoying a local crop:

• Plant a garden in your backyard, a container garden on your balcony, or herbs on your windowsill. 
• Get children involved in preparing food and eat family meals often.  When kids take part in meals, they are more likely to make healthier choices.  
• Enjoy fresh food in season.  Shop at local farmers markets and farm gates.  Freeze or preserve local fruits and vegetables to eat a greater variety throughout the year.

Tips for supporting your community to grow a local food system:

• Start, support or get involved with a local community garden project to grow food close to where you live.
• Join a community kitchen group to cook and enjoy meals with friends.
• Work with your local school board to create ways to showcase local foods either in the classroom, school cafeteria or schoolyard.
• Encourage your grocery store to carry more local foods.

Nutrition Month is an initiative of Dietitians of Canada and dietitians across the country. For more information about Nutrition Month, visit www.dietitians.ca/eatwell.

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Backgrounders attached: 3

• South Island Events (PDF)
• North Island Events (PDF)
• Central Island Events (PDF)

Media Contact:
Shannon Marshall, VIHA Communications
250-370-8270