Re: Nutrition North fails Old Crow (April 12).
Nutrition North Canada is a food subsidy program designed to improve and support community-level access to healthy, perishable foods for all residents of more than 100 eligible northern communities.
Recent results posted on the Nutrition North Canada website show that the average cost of a food basket for a family of four in Old Crow has decreased by almost $30 per week since the introduction of NNC.
The program is taking concrete steps to respond to concerns that are unique to the community of Old Crow. For example, thanks to an agreement entered into with the regional airline, and with support from community leaders, Old Crow now has an alternative way to access the subsidies in addition to the local store.
Unlike any other NNC-eligible community, Old Crow can only be accessed by air and cannot take advantage of lower cost methods of transportation like winter roads or sealift. Therefore, Old Crow is the only community which has been provided a unique and expanded eligibility list to support access to non-perishable foods and non-food items including: canned vegetables, rice, diapers and toothpaste.
The Nutrition North Canada Program remains open to finding further solutions for Old Crow that provide a level of access to healthy and perishable foods through local retailers comparable to other northern communities.
The program will work with all partners to ensure Nutrition North Canada meets its objectives and obligations.
Stephen Van Dine
Director General
Devolution & Territorial Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada