advocacy

The Nelson Community Food Centre strives to advocate on behalf of our community members around issues of poverty reduction, food security and social justice. Simply put, Food Security is a Poverty Issue, and we are committed to advocating at a local and systemic level for poverty alleviation for community members in Nelson and the surrounding areas. 

Since the beginning of 2024, the Nelson Community Food Centre has been advocating on multiple fronts, initiatives include:

1. We have been working with our partner organization – Community Food Centres Canada to promote the establishment of a Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Details here. 
1. NCFC received a grant from CFCC to invite our local MP Rob Morrison to one of our Good Food Bank days to hear concerns from program participants about the rising cost of food and the amount of food insecurity occurring in the Kootenay-Columbia region. We are currently working to confirm a date of his visit. 
2. NCFC is also inviting our local MLA Brittenay Anderson to attend a Good Food Bank to engage with program participants. 
2. Living Wage for Families BC – Vancity Community Foundation
1. Participated in multiple table meetings to discuss Food Insecurity. Goal is to have Living Wage for Families BC to push this agenda topic at a Provincial and Federal level. 
3. Public Health Association of BC – Community Food Systems Development Team
1. Interviewed by their team to discuss Food Systems Development in our communities. The team is coming to do a tour of the centre and connect with program participants to conduct surveys.