Gov't called on to address northern food prices

Aboriginal groups say the province is not delivering on promises to ease the burden of high food costs in the North.

A jug of milk can sell for as much as $15 and one apple can cost $1 or $2 in northern communities.

Two years ago, the Manitoba government agreed to address high food prices after research showed consumption of cheap junk food is leading to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health problems in northern communities.

The study recommended several strategies to lower prices, such as increasing food self-sufficiency in the north through garden and greenhouse developments.

• MANITOBA ABORIGINAL AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS: Read the report (PDF file, 1.8 MB)

Michael Anderson is a research director with Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin, a group representing northern First Nations. He says the province's researchers had some good ideas, but the government has yet to act on them.

"Substantive change in terms of the reduction of the cost of food in rural and northern communities has not occurred," he says.

Activists in Winnipeg plan to shake things up. The Manitoba research project will be highlighted at a food-security conference that begins in Winnipeg Thursday. Conference organizer Cathy Campbell hopes Winnipeggers will press the province to act.

"People need to eat not at some time in the future, but today," she says.

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin says the province is tackling the problem gradually.

"People might complain that it's not enough, but you know what? There was zero there yesterday and there is going to be something there tomorrow," he says.

Lathlin says the first project assisting isolated communities in growing their own vegetables is set to begin in the spring.

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FOOD SECURITY ASSEMBLY: More on the conference