The topic was food security and Dr Bajaj is one of the developers of a website called Canada Food Flows, which traces the amount of fruits and vegetables coming into British Columbia from other provinces and nations.
229 blight resistant nut trees were most likely planted on Quadra Island during the past 12 months, and that number should soon increase. There are Hazelnuts, Sweet Chestnuts, Black Walnuts, Persian/English Walnuts and a Heartnut. Most of these trees have been sold to private residents, but the Quadra Nut Tree Project’s third planting was on January 4, 2024.
After COVID arrived in the Spring of 2020, someone gave the Quadra ICAN ‘Squash The Curve Project’ the use of 2 acres of land for a year. Local residents were provided with squash starts, or seedlings, and supportive tips from more experienced gardeners. The food they did not use was freely distributed to the wider community.
“Since the beginning of March we’ve distributed 10,408.4 kilos of food, and that has been distributed to 338 individuals, who were feeding 671 people. In addition to that, we have been supplying various agencies like Quadra Circle, the Read Island Aging In Place program, the Read Island Community Kitchen. These agencies have been feeding an additional 600 people. In total, we estimate that this food has provided meals for 1,271 people,” said Ramona Boyle, Coordinator of Quadra ICAN.
Amanda Smith, of the Quadra Island Food Bank emailed, “Obviously our buying power has diminished across the board due to inflationary pressures. Increases for fruits and vegetables and eggs have been most disturbing. Our vegetable choices are now largely governed by price. 2022 saw a 35% increase over 2021 for the number of hampers distributed. The number of hampers distributed so far in 2023 is markedly higher than 2022 and there is no relief in sight. Every distribution this year has registered new first-time users.”
