Northern Food Security Event Getting Good Reviews

Northern Food Security Event Getting Good Reviews

Friday, October 23, 2009 at 13:10

 

 

Organizers of the Northern Food Security Conference in La Ronge are hoping participants will share what they have learned, as they head back to their home communities.

 

Today, the delegates talked about ways to get more of the community involved in food security — whether it be by starting a garden, educating schools, or just being more conscious about whether or not you are buying local foods.

 

Diana Bird is an Aboriginal liaison worker with the chronic disease network at the Prince Albert Grand Council.

 

Bird believes that the conference will continue to have an effect even after the closing ceremonies, as delegates examine food security in their own households and in the organizations they represent.

 

Food safety was discussed at length yesterday.

 

Participants heard from environmental health officer Al Deutch about proper food preparation and storage.

 

The president of the Northern Saskatchewan Trappers Association, Clifford Ray, says he learned a lot about food safety — adding it was interesting to hear how the safety methods transfer to the trapping industry.

 

Ray says the proper handling of traditional foods on the trapline was among the questions he and other trappers have had for awhile, and now they have the answers they have been seeking.

 

Ray also believes the conference may help people get back to a traditional way of life.

 

Throughout the conference, participants were told about the benefits of a traditional First Nations diet.

 

Ray says it was nice to hear all of the speakers commending traditional food.