The Connaught Youth Centre Society in Prince George has received $58,000 to support their Northern Fresh Food Centre project, which will help provide food security to the neighbourhood. "What we're purchasing is an indoor grow unit where we can grow food for the community all year long," said Catharine Kendall, executive director of Connaught Youth Centre Society.
The unit, which costs about $150,000, will be used to produce up to 480 fresh greens every four to six weeks. These will be distributed to high-risk children, youth, and their families, a crucial need for those struggling with food security.
Funding came from the Community Spaces Program by Federated Co-operatives Ltd., which offered 14 organizations across western Canada support this year. The local Four Rivers Co-operative recently presented the $58,000 cheque to the Connaught Youth Centre Society (CYC). "We really appreciate the funding," Kendall said.
"It's going to be a bit of a journey for us to find the rest of the money. We've explored a few options and it's looking really good. Food security is on the high priority list for lots of places in the north." The CYC is hoping to secure the rest of the funds for the hydroponics unit within the next year, she added. "We're super-excited about it," Kendall said.
Food security is a growing concern in the community, where many individuals have no reliable access to enough affordable and nutritious food. "Supporting the Connaught Youth Centre Society in their mission to provide youth with essential healthy greens is a step towards addressing this crisis," Federated Co-operatives Ltd. stated in a press release. "By ensuring that young people have access to nutritious food, we help to build a foundation for better health and development."
Source: Prince George Citizen