By Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
It’s ironic that many people in Oliver face barriers to healthy food sources when they live in a highly productive agricultural area.
But Food Secure Oliver hopes to change that.
The community-driven plan to increase food security is “foraging” ahead.
In a recent presentation to Town council, consultant Janine de la Salle from Urban Food Strategies outlined the plan’s goals.
But she first noted that, “Systemic changes are needed for everyone to be able to access the food they need, when they need it, without relying on emergency food sources.”
The eight “big moves” in the plan include: launching a multicultural food celebration event, determining low-barrier opportunities to increase fresh local foods in meal and hamper programs, improving local transportation systems to enable access to healthy food, providing resources on how to establish low-to-no-water gardens, and establishing a central food hub in Oliver.
De la Salle said one of the most popular ideas brought up during the engagement sessions was a food celebration event, which “is an amazing way to bring people together.”
But she also noted that a lot of seniors cannot go to farmers’ markets due to a lack of transportation. Hence, the goal to improve public transportation to enable access to markets, fruit stands and grocery stores.
The plan lists a number of strategies including edible landscaping in town. For example, grow food in containers in front of downtown businesses.
Another idea encourages breastfeeding in friendly environments (identified by stickers in windows).
There is also talk about working with local businesses to produce a pilot project that would enable mini-markets to set up within or just outside buildings.
Launching a food exchange program is another idea; a central place where people can bring and take surplus garden or farm products.
Another strategy is reducing organic content at the landfill by establishing residential food waste composting there.
Booking kitchen space for cooking classes is another idea being considered.
In her report, de la Salle also mentions establishing a food committee or council consisting of farmers, vintners, hunters, anglers, food educators and retail businesses.
De la Salle said the next step is to establish an action plan for year one of the initiative, including who will be responsible for what and by when.
Carol Sheridan, who started the ball rolling on food security in Oliver, thanked the Town for “being the first municipality in the Okanagan” that took it on at the community level.
“Without their funding support and leadership, we would not have been able to get it off the ground.”
De la Salle said it has only been 20 months since the initiative began with the help of a lot of “passionate people” who want to do something positive in Oliver.
Mayor Ron Hovanes marveled at the food programs in local schools, calling them “incredible.”
He also said it is so wonderful to stop and pick up fresh fruit at fruit stands between Oliver and Osoyoos.
The mayor said if all of the grain trucks stopped running, there would be nothing in our stores.
He noted that more people are now getting their groceries delivered at home. But that’s not his cup of tea.
“Going to the grocery store is my way of hunting and foraging,” he said.
Town water councillor Rick Machial said Loblaws and Amazon offer home delivery.
He stated that some people order their groceries online and pick them up at the store.
“It’s more popular than home delivery, which is expensive. People like the convenience, click, click, click.”
Councillor Dave Mattes said this could be a business opportunity for someone in Oliver. “The wave of the future is home delivery.”
Councillor Maureen Doerr said Buy-Low Foods does home delivery for seniors.
