The South Cariboo Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre Society is putting a new food security plan in motion to provide assistance to those in need in 100 Mile House and area.
While the Ag Centre Society was attempting to negotiate with the District of 100 Mile House about the lease termination of 98 Cecil Place, members brought up several reasons why they should be allowed to stay.
One of the key reasons was the proposal of the Valley Room Kitchen and Food Facility Plan, which is an action that would focus on suppling food to the needy.
Ag Cenre Society president Rod Hennecker says one of the reasons this plan was created was due to lack of effort the District was making to help homelessness and needy families.
“Hunger and homelessness may not be a municipal problem, but it is a problem and the District is refusing to see it.”
However, the word “homelessness” is not mentioned in the Valley Room Kitchen and Food Facility Plan, or in the society’s subsequent documents.
On the issue of hunger, Mayor Mitch Campsall says that “the District is satisfied there are adequate safe guards in place to ensure no one goes hungry in this community. Organizations like the Food Bank, Loaves and Fishes and others have been providing services in the community for many years and we’re confident that will continue into the future.”
While the argument did not help the society remain in the building, members still want to continue on with the plan.
Working in tandem with the South Cariboo Food Security Committee (SCFSC), this new plan proposes that the society assume management responsibilities for the entire Valley Room food facility.
The goal of the plan is to provide education about food processing, storing, sourcing and handling as well as create short term emergency food supplies for vulnerable families.
The society’s proposal states it wishes to implement a business plan that leverages existing funding, and grows a healthier and safer South Cariboo.
The plan has three specific levels of interest. The first being an enhancement of short-term emergency food.
The second is providing support to improve food sovereignty and to provide a consistent supply of food for those who are in need.
The final level is to act on a provincial level and work within a social-policy framework.
All the while, the SCFSC will use the data from this plan to help develop its own food-assessment program.
Hennecker says he hopes this plan will be able to provide food assistance to those in need in 100 Mile House or those who seek refuge in the town.
“This is why we do what we do. We have taken this on as a responsibility and it is a big motivation for what we do.”
The plan currently has no set date of when these actions will be put into motion.
