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By Ian Gustafson

Public forum

CAPRA to hold public meeting on food affordability

Nov 13, 2024 | 4:45 PM

The Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance and Action for Prosperity is holding a meeting on the issue of food security later this month.

On Nov. 25 from 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre room No. 3 they plan to discuss the challenges families face with food affordability.

Lori Jack, Community Impact Manager for United Way of Central Alberta, said the meeting is open to anyone who wants to attend.

“We knew this topic was a pressing issue,” she said.

“When people can barely afford their rent, food is often something that becomes a discretionary spending and it shouldn’t be. It’s often a key sign of the extent of poverty in an area.”

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There will be two food initiatives that will be shared at the meeting that may help people access food they need.

In addition, I Can For Kids will talk about their grocery gift card program and those in attendance will learn about Red Deer’s food map, which was created by the Red Deer Food Bank, Common Ground Garden Project, and the City of Red Deer.

“The food map was recently created so we thought it would be great to bring to the community,” she added.

“The other presentation is from a group called I Can who are doing some interesting work in Calgary around food insecurity. We thought it was a timely conversation to have, it’s always relevant, and just good to touch base on it again to see where people are at.”

“It’s also good to see what people are up to. Members who come often share their own activities that we’re not even aware of. It’s just a place people can come and hear about what’s happening and share their own experiences about what’s going on in their own areas.”