More Local Food Coming to Northwood

A new pilot project will put more local fruit, vegetables, meat and fish on the menu at Northwood’s Halifax Campus, Atlantic Canada’s largest long-term care facility.

Agriculture Minster Greg Morrow announced the project today, December 9, at Northwood.

“We have ambitious goals when it comes to buy local – we want 20 per cent of all money spent on food in this province to be on local food. Projects like this one at Northwood are going to help get us there,” said Minister Morrow. “When we buy local, we can feel good about what we’re serving to our loved ones. And our money stays in Nova Scotia, which is better for our economy and our communities.”

The pilot project with Northwood supports a transition from imported food to locally grown and produced food, allowing the facility to access up to $25,000 in incentives – $12,500 up front to help cover startup costs and up to $12,500 later, based on its increased spend on local food.

Northwood is working with its suppliers, including Gordon Food Service’s Atlantic division, based in Nova Scotia, to bring in more local food.

This project supports the government’s mandate to encourage local food consumption with a goal of 20 per cent of the money spent on food by Nova Scotians being spent on locally produced food by 2030.

Work is underway to expand the pilot program to more nursing homes, healthcare facilities, public schools, post-secondary institutions and correctional facilities.

Quotes:

“We have high standards for the food we bring in and the meals we serve to our residents. Through this pilot, our team has access to procurement expertise, a network of local suppliers, and the funding support to help us hit the ground running. Most important of all, it means we can offer our residents fresh, healthy food produced right here at home.”

– Janet Simm, President and CEO, Northwood

“We are proud to serve and give back to our senior community who have given so much to all of us. Gordon Food Service is honoured to be a part of providing homegrown local food to Northwood residents, and we thank you for being a valued partner serving our Nova Scotia community.”

– Colin Brown, General Manager, Atlantic Region, Gordon Food Service

Quick Facts:

• the government’s commitment to encouraging buy local includes initiatives like Nova Scotia Loyal, led by the Department of Economic Development
• a new provincial food and beverage strategy is being developed, led by the Department of Agriculture; Nova Scotians are encouraged to share their views through the online survey, which closes December 23

Additional Resources:

Northwood: https://northwood.care/

Food and beverage strategy public engagement: https://novascotia.ca/food-and-beverage-strategy-engagement/

Mandate letter of the Minister of Agriculture: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-Ag.pdf