Preservation program aims to improve food security on P.E.I.

Pauline Howard is hoping to address food insecurity on Prince Edward Island through a new preservation program.

She's the harvest manager of the P.E.I. Food Exchange.

"There are a lot of people on Prince Edward Island living in food insecure households, and this is from an island where we call ourselves the million-acre farm," said Howard.

It's also looking at the gaps. What is preventing people from preserving the wonderful abundance of the P.E.I. harvest.- Pauline Howard

The P.E.I. Food Exchange will be putting on workshops to help people better understand how to preserve their food.

The workshops will be led by people who expert in preservation methods such as freezing, drying, canning, storing and fermentation.

These workshops will start in late September and will run through the fall. The schedule will be based on what works for most people.

Creating a network

The workshops aren't just for people who want to learn how to preserve their own food. Howard is hoping it extends past that.

"We're hoping to build a web of knowledgeable people who can go out and might facilitate workshops, but they also might do other sort of community food actions," said Howard.

"For example, they might start a bulk buying club from the area's ecological farmers."

Howard hopes that those people who are involved with the community will be able to come up with more ideas to improve food security in the province, and make use of the resources available.

"It's not only the knowledge of preserving, but it's also looking at the gaps. What is preventing people from preserving the wonderful abundance of the P.E.I. harvest," said Howard.

The P.E.I. Food Exchange will be looking for people to express interest and apply for the workshops until Sept. 12 at noon.

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