Tag Archives: Food Security on Cortes

Food Security

Seed Banks Are Rewriting the book on food security

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Organic farmer Adam Schick holds a single Rembrandt pea aloft in the light of his drying shed to contemplate the magic and generosity of nature.

“There we go. From that we’ll get 50 peas next year. Just from one little tiny seed,” Schick said. “There’s no reason why there should be any insecurity when it comes to food.”

Simply put, access to seeds means access to food, says the market gardener for Linnaea Farm ⁠— a 314-acre organic co-operative land trust dedicated to sustainable agriculture, the environment and education on Cortes Island, B.C.

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Food Security

What Does The Surplus Food Rescue Program Mean to Cortes & Quadra?

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During a visit to the Nutri Group’s head office in Quebec, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced a $50 million federal initiative “designed to address urgent, high volume, highly perishable surplus products falling under fruit, vegetables, meat and fish and seafood.” Prior to COVID, this food was sold to restaurants. Now, instead of letting it go to waste, the federal government will distribute it to food banks and local food organizations across Canada. So what does the Surplus Food Rescue Program mean for our area?

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Food Security

The Risk Of People Going Hungry

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Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The risk of people going hungry in small island communities on B.C.’s West Coast is likely to go from bad to worse in the fall as the pandemic and its economic symptoms linger on and COVID-19 relief benefits end, service providers and experts say.

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Business, Finances

Cortes Island Slowly Reopening

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There were four tables when Mansons Friday Market reopened, on May 29th. Last week there were seventeen. They spilled outside the hall and throughout much of the parking lot. There were a lot of new faces: some covered by masks, but mostly not. This was only one of many examples of Cortes Island slowly reopening.

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Food Security

Tamara McPhail Talks About Small Farming & Linnaea Farm

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Every May, long-time farmer Tamara McPhail’s day begins and ends with frog song. Followed closely by the chatter of birds.

McPhail, her partner and their two kids live off-grid in a fortified yurt with a dugout basement, which means even inside the walls of their home, the family maintains a close connection to nature.

“We’re essentially living in a glorified tent, so in the mornings I awaken to the dawn chorus right now,” said McPhail.

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