PROVINCE BOOSTS FUNDING FOR CHILD NUTRITION

The Child Nutrition and Development Program is receiving an additional $500,000 this year from Community Resources and Employment to expand its existing and new community food security partnerships. This brings total provincial government funding to $1.8 million in 2005-06, a 27 per cent increase in funding from last year.

"Healthy development depends on healthy food," Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford said. "Community initiatives funded through the program help even our youngest citizens have greater access to adequate and nutritious food so they can learn, grow and develop into independent adults. This program ties closely with our government's broader Building Independence strategy and our continued efforts to reduce child poverty and to increase the adequacy of food and resources for low-income families."

The additional funding this year means that children, through school-based programs, will have greater access to adequate, safe and nutritious food in their communities. "We know that a variety of responses are needed to address food security, ranging from snack and lunch programs to community development initiatives such as community gardens, collective kitchens and good food box programs," Crofford said.

"We and our member agencies are very pleased to see our provincial government provide increased funding to the Child Nutrition and Development Program," Regina Education and Action on Child Hunger Executive Director Charles Sutberry said. "The additional funds will ensure that thousands of hungry Saskatchewan children have better access to safe and nutritious food. Research indicates that up to 70 per cent of all illness is diet related, and increased support for the program can have a significant impact on the future health of our children and of our province."

The Child Nutrition and Development Program began in 1990. Last year, over 40 community organizations across the province received funding under the program to deliver school and community nutrition, nutrition education programs and self-sufficiency projects such as community kitchens and good food box programs.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Miller Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-0531