In our news today: LOCAL FARMS SUPPLYING SOUTHEASTERN NB SCHOOLS: As students go back to the classroom this week, cafeterias throughout southeastern New Brunswick are making strides in terms of healthy, locally sourced food. Continuing to build upon an initiative begun last year, Le Réseau des cafétérias communautaires connects such groups as the Really Local Harvest Co-Op, representing 28 farms in the region, with schools in Francophone District South. Having grown in the last two years from serving 5 to 22 schools, the project sees farmers delivering weekly orders through a central hub, distributing upwards of $168,000 in local meat, produce and eggs throughout the region. The seed of the project was sewn in Cocagne, when École Blanche-Bourgeois Elementarys contract with corporate food service provider Chartwells expired in 2011, prompting teacher Rachel Schofield to request permission to take advantage of the opportunity. Schofield was permitted a one-year project and given a grant from the school council, leading to a small profit for the cafeterias, while costs for students remained under $5 for meals, and healthier, more sustainable local foods were being provided across the board, including many traditional Acadian dishes. The following year, 5 more schools corporate contracts had lapsed, and Schofield was asked to expand her project. BUY LOCAL NB LAUNCHES ONLINE DIRECTORY: The Conservation Council of New Brunswicks Buy Local NB website launched a new online local foods directory last week. Located on their website at buylocalnb.ca, the resource provides a searchable database of over 300 local growers, producers and retailers. CCNB originally launched its Buy Local NB initiative in 2009 and developed an online food directory in 2011, quickly becoming one of their most popular campaigns. The campaign prioritizes a mandate of supporting the provincial economy and family farms, decreasing the environmental impact of transportation and improving public health through access to local foods. The next stage involves development of a mobile app for the directory. NOVA SCOTIA TO LEGISLATE HIGH-VOLUME FRACKING BAN: Nova Scotia Energy Minister Andrew Younger announced yesterday that the province will be introducing legislation this fall, continuing to temporarily ban high-volume hydraulic fracturing. Following recommendations from an independent review panel that the province maintain a moratorium imposed on the practice in 2012, Younger acknowledges the overwhelmingly expressed concern from residents, saying this must be respected going forward, with further research and full debate in the legislature to follow community interests.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:14:55 +0000
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