Canadian government invests in food safety

07-04-2010 | |

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced Government of Canada action to help Food Banks Canada strengthen their food safety system across the country.

At the same time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited with volunteers of the Calgary Poppy Fund Veterans Food Bank to highlight the importance of food banks and their volunteers in Canada.

“Food banks are always there for Canadian families when they need a hand and our Government is proud to partner with these organizations to keep their safety systems strong,” said Minister Ritz. “When volunteers sign up to help out at a food bank, they need the right training and equipment, and this investment will make sure those resources are available.”

Food safety improved

Food Banks Canada is a national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada. The Government’s investment of more than $850,000 will help improve food safety by developing training materials and workshops and better equipping regional trainers to work with food banks in their communities to ensure that volunteers follow strong food safety practices.

“Food banks provide essential food to Canadians in need,” said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director, Food Banks Canada. “This funding will help us develop the resources to assist food banks in their ability to provide safe quality food to Canadians in communities across the country.”

This Growing Forward investment is being funded under the Government of Canada’s Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative, which supports the development of national government-recognized food safety systems.

Agriculture is a core economic driver in Canada, and that is why the Government of Canada is also making investments to the agriculture sector through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

For more information, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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Kinsley
Natalie Kinsley Freelance journalist