Monday September 18, 2023 | VANCOUVER, BC [Updated 5:07 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends | FOOD SECURITY NEWS SECTION
Today on Day 1 of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention, Agriculture and Food Minister Pam Alexis first took a farm tour, before heading back to Vancouver for the rest of the five-day convention.
The UBCM agricultural farm tour bus went to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. “It was a wonderful to showcase some of our incredible BC producers and ag businesses to the group,” said Minister Alexis in a post this afternoon on X (Twitter).
Tour hosts included Blue Magic Greenhouses (cut flowers), Golden Ears Cheesecrafters (cheese), Silver Valley Farma (blueberries), and Hopcott Farm (meats, seafood and produce).
Supporting and reorienting agriculture:
Since becoming the Minister in December last year, Alexis has turned the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in some strong new directions including applying the $200 million in 2022-2023 surplus funding toward some new agricultural initiatives to help bolster food resiliency across the province.
“We’ve seen the impacts of climate emergencies on BC’s farming communities and we’re continuing to act with a new Food Security Emergency Planning and Preparedness fund to help farmers and their communities be better prepared while protecting our food security,” says Minister Alexis.
Her Ministry released a statement today about increasing food security in BC.
About UBCM:
The UBCM convention is a gathering of mayors and councils from around the province, to meet with provincial ministers, deputy ministers and other staffers around the wide range of issues that affect municipalities and communities around the province.
This year the convention is being held in Vancouver. The annual convention location rotates each year among Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria.
===== RELATED ARTICLES by ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
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- BC Beef Day enjoyed by hundreds (May 12, 2023)
- Food security program toured by Education & Agriculture Ministers (April 25, 2023)
- Transitional process to an affordable future food supply (March 29, 2023)
- Premier Eby announces $200 million for BC food security initiatives (March 7, 2023)
- FOOD SECURITY SECTION